Gouden Carolus Single Malt

Gouden Carolus Single Malt, 3 YO, 46 %

This whisky is produced by the famous brewery Het Anker in Belgium. In fact Het Anker now has both a brewery, a distillery, a brasserie and a hotel on site. Sounds like a perfect weekend getaway to me.

The Gouden Carolus Single Malt is a proper single malt, based on the same mash as the Gouden Carolus Tripel beer (which I love!). There is of course no hops used in the production of this single malt..

The distillery at Gouden Carolus has copper pot stills made by Forsyths in Scotland. The stills were installed in November 2009, and the first distillate flowed out of these stills in October 2010.

Here is the official blurb on the product:

Gouden Carolus Single Malt is a refined whisky distilled from the mash of Gouden Carolus Tripel beer. The ensuing aging in First Fill Bourbon casks followed by a further aging in 'Anker' casks (oak casks reworked by the cooper according to our own specifications) results in a refined whisky with a rich and balanced taste.

We can buy the Gouden Carolus Single Malt in Norway starting this coming Thursday at NOK 879 (1391201).

Nose: Really nice caramel notes is what first reaches my nose. Fudge and caramel sauce. Rich and delightful. It sounds a bit heavy perhaps, but it is actually quite light in character. Malt and vanilla in the back.

Taste: Medium body. Quite aggressive (peppery) upfront. It quickly settles down through and and I get mint, chocolate and fruit drops.

Finish: Relatively short finish, which is too bad. Vanilla and white chocolate to the forefront now. Caramel sauce and a hint of nuts.

Comment: Refined dram.

Score 86/100

Sláinte!
- Thomas