France

Greatly inspired by Irish and Scottish whiskies, most French whiskies are produced using malted barley. In 2002 however, the Menhirs distillery, located in Plomelin in Finistère, caused quite a stir by launching the first French whisky produced from buckwheat. Dubbed Eddu (the Breton word for buckwheat), it represents a new style on an equal footing with single malts, pure pot still spirits, rye and bourbon. Such innovation has not been seen since the 19th century with the birth of blended scotch.