Gouden Carolus Single Malt

Bottle was purchased in 2018.

Being a resident of The Netherlands, I find this Belgium single malt being on sale quite often in our liquor stores and online whisky shops. This time, I couldn't resist to give it a try. Tasted this right after tasting the Balcones Bourbon, which was a quite unsatisfying and dusty little kicker. In the nose very surprising, loads of strawberries, yoghurt, smells like a good glass of Beaujolais wine, combined with the - clearly smellable - beer origins of the brewer. Fresh mouthfeel, fitting the scent. Red fruits, caramel, light dairy like fresh light yoghurt and buttermilk, loads of wood. Then: turns dry. Few tannins. More wood. Bourbon notes. Very strong aftertaste, dry, bitter but in a good way, liquorice and salmiac. Can definately taste the triple beer. I taste fresh sourdough bread and croissants. Excellent whisky which I will drink with pleasure, and WILL buy again!

Tastes like a corona! And yes, I’m white and American.

I purchased this bottle a few years ago during a visit to Belgium and I recall being pleasantly surprised, however it has been a long time since I have had a drink of this. In true Belgian fashion, I am tasting this using a Gouden Carolus whisky glass. I'm not sure if all Belgian distilleries follow in the Belgian brewery footsteps of individual glasses, but this is a nice touch. Nose: Sweet fruit to start, followed up by the sweet rich oak from the first fill Bourbon barrels. Caramel comes through as well, intertwined with notes of moist leather. Going back in I get some hints of black licorice. Palate Very smooth beginning building into quite a full flavor that blooms with apricots and hints of cherry. Nice malt flavours ramp up after this and extend into the finish Finish Surprisingly long and full. Very satisfying in fact. Lingering malt, bitter lemon peel, and a rich dark chocolate carry on, with a nice tingle in the middle of the hard palate and the sides of the tongue. Overall, I would not hesitate to grab another bottle of this one once this one is empty, especially since I have 2 of their glasses... The only difficulty will be finding it. I am impressed with the overall richness and finish despite being a minimum 3 years old. The 46% ABV does help this though, and I'm happy it was bottled higher than 40%.