During our evening of European Explorations, a complete bonus whisky from Belgium was added.

Het Anker makes a well known dark Belgium beer – Gouden Carolus.  They have branched out into distilling whisky… using the mash of the Golden Carolus Tripel beer which is aged in 1st fill bourbon casks then ‘Anker’ casks.

So what did we think of it?

Gouden Carolus Single Malt 3 years 46%

• Nose – Deep fried veggies, savoury and oily, caramel sweet, vanilla, flower pod, ripe fruit, after some time we found marshmallows roasted over a campfire
• Palate – Flat and spice, top is bitter, some salt, a bit sour like amla
• Finish – Salty finish like saline, frat beer
• Water – Sour and salt

So… beer to whisky… and while our tasting notes sound a bit odd, it somehow works. It was certainly a far sight better than the only other Belgium whisky I’ve tried – the Belgium Owl.

Here is what they have to say on the label:

• Rich and balanced with fruit, vanilla, creme brule 

This whisky was a gift to our host.

My European Explorations with the Bombay Malt & Cigar gents included:

• France – Domaine Des Hautes Glace Organic Single Malt 42%
• Germany – DeCavo NAS Batch 10, Cask 92
• Italy – Puni Nova Bourbon Cask, Batch #2 (2015) 43%
• Switzerland – Forty Three Swiss Highland Single Malt Whisky 43%

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