In the heart of Charente, the cradle of renowned wine estates, the distillery Tessendier breathes new life into the world of spirits with whiskies ARLETT, a name that sounds like a promise of audacity, memory and sensory exploration.
Behind this unique and family brand, two brothers, Jérôme and Lilian Tessendier, perpetuate a family tradition while forging their own path: that of a French whisky crafted with precision, character and passion.
A story of family… and women
ARLETT. A name that stands out, like a dedication, that of Jérôme and Lilian Tessendier to their mother, Arlette, a discreet but essential figure, whisky consumer and involuntary muse of this Charente adventure. Coming from a lineage of seasoned distillers, the two brothers decided to transpose their know-how into the demanding world of single malt. The result: a 100% French whisky, from barley to cask, entirely produced and aged in their distillery in Jarnac in Charente.
« Arlett is a project of passion, precision, and transmission. We wanted to make our terroir speak differently. ", confides Jérôme Tessendier.
In contrast to mass and standardized productions, ARLETT boasts a fully controlled artisanal production process. The carefully selected barley is brewed on site, distilled in traditional stills, then aged in barrels chosen for their personality. Each step, from brewing to refining, is designed like a score, played consistently but never without surprises.
« This whisky is also an exploratory process: we seek to shake up the benchmarks while respecting balance,” explains Lilian Tessendier.
From barley to glass: total control
At ARLETT, every step is orchestrated in-house: from brewing to distillation, all the way to refining. Production is fully controlled by the Tessendier Distillery, which guarantees rare consistency and unwavering excellence. French barley, traditional stills, carefully selected barrels... everything converges toward the same ambition: to surprise, then share.
Five expressions, five universes
The ARLETT range is now available in five references, brought together in a neat box, each one telling a facet of French taste:
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ARLETT Single Malt Original : Rich and round, it opens with fruity and woody notes, evolving towards honey, cocoa, then a hint of blond tobacco. A velvety and assertive opening.
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ARLETT Peated Single Malt : A new, bolder blend, where the peat expresses itself fully without overwhelming the delicacy. The iodized and smoky nose precedes a tangy, gourmet, and delicately vanilla palate.
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ARLETT Single Malt Mizunara : Matured in prestigious Japanese oak barrels, this whisky develops ashy and spicy aromas, with an airy and persistent finish. A bridge between tradition and exoticism.
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ARLETT Single Malt Barbados : Here, the encounter is surprising: 6 months of maturation in Barbados rum barrels enrich a body already matured for 3 years in American oak and bourbon barrels. The result: a warm delicacy with tropical accents.
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ARLETT Single Malt Pineau des Charentes : A local nod. This Pineau barrel finish delivers a sweet and fruity palette of dried apricot, almond, and soft grapes. The entry is lively, the finish silky.
Festive and signature cocktails with Arlett whisky
ARLETT MOMORITO
6 cl of Arlett BLENDED whisky
2 cl of lemon juice
2 cl of ginger syrup with honey
Ginger beer top
Pour the whiskey, lemon juice and honey ginger syrup into a highball glass filled with ice.
Stir gently, then add a splash of ginger beer. Garnish with a lemon slice.
ARLETT GINGER ALE
4,5 cl of Arlett ORIGINAL whiskey
2 cl of ginger ale
1,5 cl of fresh lemon
Fill a tumbler glass with ice. Add the Arlett whiskey, ginger ale, and fresh lemon.
Garnish with untreated lemon zest.
LADY ARLETT
6 cl of Arlett Peaty whisky
2,5 cl of apple juice
1,5 cl of honey syrup
2 dashes of bitters
Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes. Add the ingredients to the glass and stir gently.
Decorate with untreated orange zest.
ARLETT MANHATTAN
7 cl of Arlett Barbados whisky
2 dashes of bitters
3 cl of red vermouth
1 maraschino cherry
In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine the Arlett whiskey, red vermouth, and dashes of bitters. Stir gently and strain into a martini glass.
Decorate with a maraschino cherry.
In a whisky market still largely dominated by Scotland, Japan, and the United States, ARLETT stands out as an outsider from Charente, strong in its roots but free in its creativity. With a whisky that is both technical and emotional, seducing with its balance between mastered classicism and assumed originality, the brand is forging its own path: that of an author's whisky, with character, French and unique. Without seeking to mimic Scottish or Japanese codes, the Tessendier brothers impose their vision: that of a free spirit, accessible but structured, capable of surprising both the neophyte and the informed connoisseur.
Much more than a French whisky, ARLETT is a declaration of taste independence, an invitation to rediscover this beverage with a new sensibility, without folklore but with conviction.
Ema Lynnx
Alcohol abuse is dangerous. Consume in moderation.
