Belgian Owl is a another Belgian whisky. This single malt was created by Etienne Bouillon who also owns a fruit liqueur distillery near Liège. The recent 53 months old release is the oldest Belgian Owl currently available. A slightly younger version (44 months) received a whopping 95,5 points in the latest Whisky Bible by Jim Murray.
Note the enormous 74% alcohol. It’s probably the strongest drink I’ve ever had. By the way, I wonder whether there’s an upper limit for (Scotch) whisky when it comes to alcohol strength?
Belgian Owl 53 months
(74,1%, OB 2010, cask #4275986)
Nose: freshly cut oak and hay, lots of mint and lemon. Some vanilla custard. Spiced honey. Hints of apricot sweets and dried banana. Water brings out a slightly dusty muesli aroma.
Mouth: sharp, grainy / grassy attack. Develops a bubblegummy flavour after the alcohol fades. Difficult to taste straight of course, so let’s add water. Much more creamy, but still quite grassy and gingery, with a bitterness that I find a little disturbing. Citrus again. Oak and nutmeg, other spices as well. Pears and vanilla. Not the fruity spirit I expected.
Finish: long, half fruity, half bitter. And grainy.
Not bad, but no highflyer either (not yet?). Around € 65 but very limited so it’s hard to find.
Score: 71/100