Brewery Het Anker is located in my home town Mechelen and produces renowned beers like Gouden Carolus and the vintage Cuvee van de Keizer. In 2003, they decided to do an experiment: distill the beer mash of Gouden Carolus Triple and mature it in Jim Beam casks.
While the first batches (like the 2009 release) were made in column stills, they’re now reconstructing an old genever distillery which features pot stills from Forsyths (at a mere 200 meters from the place where I’m about to build a house, what a coincidence). It’s the first dedicated pot still distillery in our country and we can expect the new single malt somewhere around 2013.
Gouden Carolus ‘2009 release’
(40%, OB 2009)
Gouden Carolus ‘2009 release’Nose: indeed very reminiscent of the Gouden Carolus Triple beer. Big banana aromas (slightly synthetic though) with coriander seeds. Rather flowery. Hints of lemon and lemon grass, on the edge of becoming soapy. Faint yeast.
Mouth: artificial citrus and pear. Tinned lychee. Coriander seeds and orange peel. Gumball. Now also lavender soap I’m afraid. A shame.
Finish: short, with plain alcohol and banana skin.
At first I was charmed by the distinct smell of beer mash, which I found unusual and interesting. But once tasted, the same beer associations become a big disadvantage. A curiosum at this point, but I’m sure the pot stills have a bright future ahead.
Score: 60/100