This French single malt whisky tastes like sinking your teeth into a juicy peach

France might not be the first country that comes to mind when you think of whisky, but that’s changing fast. With New Code, Ninkasi has released a single malt that doesn’t try to imitate Scotch. Instead, this French brand leans into wine casks, loads of fruit, and above all, a very approachable character.

Ninkasi New Code is part of a quartet of French single malt whiskies. Alongside New Code, the range includes Manifesto, The Flow, and Inspiration. All four are bottled at 46 percent ABV and each has its own cask combination.

For New Code, it’s a mix of French oak casks and casks that previously held Chardonnay and Viognier. The focus is clearly on fruit. Ninkasi itself describes the whisky as fruity and accessible. But just how sweet is this Frenchman really?

Before the whisky hits the glass, it’s worth admiring the bottle. On that front, Ninkasi has nailed it. New Code comes in a striking bottle with a modern, decidedly flashy label. The bottle itself is a little reminiscent of an old-fashioned milk bottle, complete with a clear screw cap.

The look has clearly been carefully considered. The design feels fresh and contemporary, seemingly aimed at a younger whisky drinker. No classic Scottish landscape, ornate lettering, or stag on the label, this bottle looks more at home in a modern cocktail bar.

The shape does have one drawback. The bottle has a fairly wide opening with a screw cap. The cap itself isn’t the issue, but the opening is. Pour a little too eagerly and you might end up with whisky beside your glass instead of in it.

The moment the whisky hits your glass, it gets interesting. The nose opens with a wonderfully sticky note of overripe plums. It’s the kind of lush fruitiness that transports you straight to a bustling market fruit stand. Then come apricot and other ripe yellow fruits. The fruit character is pronounced, and it’s sweetened further by a clear note of honey.

You might expect Ninkasi to tip over into cloying sweetness at this point, but it doesn’t. The honey actually lifts everything a notch without upsetting the balance. The result is a highly inviting whisky you’ll happily nose for a good while before taking that first sip.

On the palate, this French whisky is creamy and soft. From the very first moment, it’s a burst of fruit. The best comparison is that first taste when you bite into a ripe, juicy peach.

The peach lingers, then the whisky gradually reveals more of its character. Vanilla appears, followed by floral honey. Next comes a sweet, nutty note reminiscent of candied almond. A hint of cinnamon then adds a touch of extra depth.

What’s remarkable is how long those sweet flavors stay without the whisky turning heavy. Even at 46 percent, there’s little bite on the tongue. New Code remains soft, creamy, and approachable throughout.

The Chardonnay, Viognier, and French oak casks seem to give the whisky’s fruitiness room to shine rather than drowning it in wood.

As it heads into the finish, nothing suddenly shifts and that suits this whisky perfectly. New Code goes down every bit as smoothly as it opens.

The creamy notes fade slowly, with the sweet fruit lingering longest. Apricot in particular hangs on for a moment before it, too, finally slips away.

It’s not a finish that reveals new layers minutes later. New Code is simply too straightforward for that. But it does linger long enough for a quiet pause before you naturally reach for the next sip.

Ninkasi New Code is clearly a whisky for those with a sweet tooth. Overripe plums, apricot, peach, honey, and candied almonds make fruit and sweetness the stars from the very start.

Yet it never becomes liquid candy. The cinnamon and the whisky’s gentle character provide enough counterbalance to keep things interesting.

That also makes New Code a very accessible whisky. If you’re after big oak, smoke, or a peppery punch that smacks your tongue, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you want a soft French single malt that gives you just enough time to linger between sips, you’re in the right place.

+ Gorgeous abundance of ripe, sweet fruit

+ Creamy and incredibly approachable

+ A modern bottle that grabs attention

- The large bottle opening makes spills all too easy