Gouden Carolus Single Malt

Conclusion: A satisfying end to International Whiskey Day. This Belgian NAS spirit felt like a gamble initially, especially given past disappointments with French spirits and a lack of positive experiences with Belgian whiskey. While Belgium excels at beer and France at wine, this bottling was rumored to be decent, not outstanding, and I was hopeful. Nose: A prominent dry yeast aroma with hints of pepper, vanilla, floral notes, a touch of citrus oil, and possibly wax. Spices like cardamom or coriander are present, contributing to a complex and sophisticated aroma that invites prolonged nosing. It evokes a comforting scent reminiscent of a familiar whiskey bar. Palate: A clean sweetness, akin to Irish whiskey, allows the alcohol's character to come through. The ale influence provides richness with a subtle bitterness, clearly indicating its origin. A vanilla nectar quality, similar to smooth Irish styles, is noticeable. Floral and orange notes emerge, complementing the yeast. Significant spice, including white pepper and a surprising, rich, umami shiso pepper, adds heat without excessive burn, enhancing the depth and complementing the yeastiness. Cardamom and coriander are also detected. Finish: Lingering dry spices, a slight tingle, and a distinct cardamom note. Vanilla is present but more floral than sweet. Yeastiness with a hint of bitterness contributes to a clean finish. Overall: Quite pleased with this. Acquired out of curiosity for a Belgian single malt, its drinkability alone was satisfying, but its quality is surprisingly high. The pronounced yeastiness recalls Westward Single Malt, while clean, nectar-like notes suggest Knappogue 12. Not a bargain, but a worthwhile purchase. It offers a tasty, well-balanced dram that fills a unique niche. Compared to Westward, it's cleaner but shows more yeast and ethanol. Knappogue Castle 12 is nuttier and perhaps deeper, with more burn despite lower proof. This spirit is lighter without appearing to have less alcohol. Additional Notes: Subtle nutty (pecan?) and apricot hints appear alongside the yeast, with a fine spritz of lemon. Good complexity and balance. This Belgian spirit could be seen as an even cleaner version of Irish whiskey, refining beer elements. Unlike a simplified alternative, it offers nuance and successfully captures a yeasty beer style. Initial skepticism about a potential gimmick was replaced by genuine enjoyment. While not flawless, the executed profile is exceptional. The 15 rating feels appropriate, despite a desire for less ethanol; its cleanliness is remarkable, making it highly drinkable at 46% ABV. It's impressive, though not mind-blowing. Comparisons: Old Pulteney 12 (14/23) is richer but less defined; a higher proof version might compete. Loch Lomond 12 is a comparable funky single malt at 46% ABV, but this spirit might be slightly better. Aberlour 12 (13/23) is richer and hides ethanol better, but this offers more compelling nuance and depth. Lismore 21 (19/23) is superior. It closely rivals Knappogue Castle 12 in quality, with this spirit's spice nuance and execution slightly edging it out. It approaches the quality of That Boutique-y Whisky Company's Auchroisk 19 (17/23), though the latter has better mature balance. This sits between Knappogue Castle 12 and Loch Lomond 12, leaning closer to Knappogue Castle 12, justifying the 15 rating.

I bought this bottle a few years ago when I visited Belgium and remember being pleasantly surprised. However, it's been a long time since I last had a drink of it. In typical Belgian fashion, I'm tasting this using a Gouden Carolus whisky glass. I'm unsure if all Belgian distilleries follow the lead of Belgian breweries in having specific glasses, but this is a nice touch. Nose: Sweet fruit initially, followed by the sweet, rich oak from first-fill bourbon barrels. Caramel is also present, mixed with notes of moist leather. Revisiting it, I detect some hints of black licorice. Palate: A very smooth start that builds into a quite full flavor, blossoming with apricots and hints of cherry. Nice malt flavors intensify after this and extend into the finish. Finish: Surprisingly long and full. Quite satisfying, actually. Lingering malt, bitter lemon peel, and rich dark chocolate continue, with a pleasant tingle in the middle of the roof of my mouth and on the sides of my tongue. Overall, I would definitely buy another bottle of this one once this one is finished, especially since I have two of their glasses... The only challenge will be finding it. I'm impressed with the overall richness and finish, despite it being a minimum of 3 years old. The 46% ABV certainly helps with this, and I'm glad it was bottled at a higher percentage than 40%.

Living in The Netherlands, I notice this Belgian single malt frequently available in local shops and online. I finally decided to try it. I had just finished Balcones Bourbon, which was disappointing and stale. The aroma is unexpected, full of strawberries, yogurt, and notes reminiscent of Beaujolais wine, along with the unmistakable beer influence from the maker. The palate is fresh, matching the nose. It offers red fruits, caramel, subtle dairy notes like fresh yogurt and buttermilk, and plenty of wood. Then, it becomes dry with some tannins and more wood. Bourbon characteristics emerge. The finish is very potent and dry, pleasantly bitter, with hints of licorice and salmiac. The triple beer distillation is evident. I detect fresh sourdough and croissants. This is a fantastic whisky I'll enjoy drinking and will definitely repurchase!

A sophisticated Single Malt Whisky crafted by De Molenberg Distillery in Mechelen, Belgium. It originates from Gouden Carolus Tripel beer mash, distilled in a copper pot still, and aged for 3 years in first-fill Bourbon casks before a finishing period in custom-made ‘Hek Anker’ oak casks. It presents a fresh and fragrant beginning with notes of fruit, citrus, vanilla, and crème brûlée. Its full and graceful middle phase introduces flavors of wood, lime, apricot, peach, apple, and vanilla, concluding with a swift and bittersweet end marked by chocolate and orange zest. Timeline: January 2020 / January / February 2021 / July 2022

A friend asked my opinion, so I gave it a go, and I'm generally open to trying most things. Their beer is also a favorite of mine. Wow, tastes like honey nut cheerios with malt. It’s light, with a sweet and spicy tingle on the palate, certainly possessing a grain-forward character. It’s not overly harsh, but the youthfulness is quite apparent. A pleasant, brief warmth that lingers briefly. The finish is short to medium in duration. While I still prefer their beer, I appreciate the way the flavors and aftertaste echo their ales. With more time to age, I'm confident this would earn a higher rating.

Wow. What a surprise. This whisky, on the nose, reminded me of an Irish whiskey due to its sweetness and fruity aromas. But once it hit the palate, it was an explosion of flavors. Citrus notes like orange, mandarin, and zest, then apricot and peaches, and the finish was more citrus, with a twist, as it reminded me of beer. No burn, very pleasant. A very easy drink when you want something fruity.