Vulson launches French organic rye whisky

This month, Vulson launches its first aged rye whisky in the UK, Vulson Old Rhino Rye, a 100% organic rye whisky aged for four years.

The new whisky, from Domaine des Hautes Glaces, is issued from malted rye grown on site. It is distilled in small live flame onion-shape copper stills & aged in the French Alps. After being distilled once in the Domaine’s wash still and once in its spirit still, Vulson Old Rhino Rye is aged for one year in French new oak casks and three years in Cognac casks. The Old Rhino is bottled at 45%abv without additives nor chill filtration.

The nose is fresh with a hint of mint, pear and stone fruits. It delivers a clean, very mineral taste and is a little spicy with gingerbread at the forefront. The after taste is well balanced with spices and a touch of lemon on the finish.

“It is an exciting new step for our young brand – since we launched Vulson White Rhino Rye, our supporters have been asking when would the aged one be released. The Old Rhino is now out, and we look forward to the industry’s feedback,” says Xavier Padovani.

“Vulson Old Rhino Rye is the long awaited aged version of its younger brother, Vulson White Rhino Rye – a spirit that is created at a small sustainable farm distillery located 1000m in the French Alps.”

The Domaine des Hautes Glaces brings its unique skills in distilling and ageing a liquid in its purest form while simultaneously respecting the terroir. Xavier adds his knowledge of the spirits market and his international network to introduce Vulson Old Rhino Rye to the global market.

Vulson Old Rhino Rye is available for sale at The Whisky Exchange for £57.95.

About Domaine des Hautes Glaces
The Domaine des Hautes Glaces is an organic mountain farm distillery founded and run by Fred Revol. It is located in the heart of the French Alps, on the flanks of the Obiou summit. Working with grain grown and processed onsite, the Domaine produces natural, handcrafted single malts of several kinds including Vulson.

About Vulson White Rhino Rye
Vulson White Rhino Rye is a 100% organic rye spirit harvested, distilled and bottled in the heart of the French Alps. It is a white spirit, a rye eau de vie, a French moonshine because it is not aged in wood. Vulson is a partnership, which brings sustainable distiller Domaine des Hautes Glaces and Xavier Padovani together as a collective. Vulson White Rhino Rye was launched in the UK Summer of 2014. It is a testimony to the man whose name it bears – Marcus Vulson de la Colombière, a French heraldist, poet, alchemist and most importantly, the builder of the castle where the distillery is located dating back to 1616.

About Xavier Padovani
Xavier started his career in the food & drink industry twenty years ago. After working for the likes of the Schraeger Hotel Group in London and Philippe Starck in Paris, he launched Monkey Shoulder Whisky for William Grant & Sons. Following his work with Monkey Shoulder, Xavier spent eight years travelling all over the world representing William Grant’s iconoclastic Hendrick’s gin as the global brand ambassador. In November 2012, after ten years with the independent Scottish distiller, Xavier launched his agency Orfeus, a brand-building agency that focuses on using alternative methods rather than applying conventional marketing tactics. Xavier is a partner in the collective behind Experimental Cocktail Club. 

2 May 2016 - Felicity Murray The Drinks Report, editor