A workshop of precision
Between science and instinct.
More than a simple production site, the Maison Lineti distillery is a bespoke creation workshop. In harmony with its founders’ vision, it is a place of inspiration, research, craft and sharing.
The atmosphere of the place is calm, almost suspended. The curves of the vats, the light on the copper, the order of the casks: the architecture follows the process.
A synergy between mashing and fermentation
The mash house, under automated temperature control, orchestrates each mash and lauter with precision, while managing energy consumption. Every parameter is adjusted in real time to enhance the aromas of the future distillate. At the heart of this alchemy, water and malt unite in a fluid, natural movement, beginning the aromatic metamorphosis.
Selection of raw materials
Maison Lineti composes its Single Malts with a single grain: French barley. However, it uses several malting recipes, each chosen for its organoleptic contribution.
This exacting approach is accompanied by responsible management of the workshop: controlled water and energy consumption, spent grain put to use locally, choice of national partners.
A world first
Fermentations are long and gentle, carried out in thermoregulated ovoid concrete fermenters. The shape of the fermenter encourages natural convection: yeasts and then lees work continuously, and the aromatics gain depth.
Co-inoculation of yeasts and lactic bacteria, lees ageing: these gestures borrowed from winemaking give the distillate a fuller texture and the tension on the palate that marks Maison Lineti.
The subtle art of distillation
For distillation, Maison Lineti embraces tradition by choosing two direct-fired 25-hectolitre Charentais pot stills. The copper used to make the stills was hand-hammered to encourage exchange with the vapours that bring finesse and structure to the whisky.
The cut
Distillation is carried out with delicacy. We deliberately tighten the cuts to keep only the heart of the distillate, the part that carries floral finesse and mineral freshness.
Two distillations, one intention
The first distillation extracts, the second refines. At each pass, temperature control and distillation rhythm are adjusted to the target profile for the cuvée.
Ageing: casks in the service of the distillate
Ex-Bourbon, new French or American oak, sherry: each cask is chosen for what it will bring to a precise distillate. We favour first-fill casks, which are more expressive, and follow each cask individually until blending.
Blending, the fulfilment of an intention
Blending is the realisation and fulfilment of an intention set from the very beginning of the mash. Dr. Magali Picard’s role is to harmonise the casks with one another to reveal the signature of Maison Lineti.
When the accord is right, harmony appears: floral, mineral, taut and rounded hold together without any one dominating.
The taste of time
The cellar lives to the rhythm of the seasons. We do not seek to erase these variations, but to read them: the whisky is bottled when it reaches the desired balance. Non-chill filtered, natural colour.