Another brewery that tries their hand at distilling and finally something from the Netherlands. Dutchsky is their take on making a grain whisky, aged in a former beer barrel.

While ale casks are all but unheard of, I understand why they do it, since they should have plenty of those lying around the premises. What I also like is that they didn’t use any caramel colouring (lovingly called ‘brown dye’ by Ralfy), nor was the whisky whisky chill filtered before bottling. It looks like they got all their pawns in the right place to become a distillery too.

Dutchsky

Sniff:
There is a weird acidity that I normally associate with Geuze beers (this might be because of the beer barrel, or because the beer barrel use is highly suggestive). There’s a touch of oak and vanilla, yeast and lemon. Shammy leather but also something like wet newspaper or carpet. Strange.

Sip:
Very gentle and smooth with a feeling of carbonization to it. Creamy with hints of pepper that turns a bit dry with vanilla, fanta, lemon and beer.

Swallow:
Here that wet carpet thingy turns more to linoleum with lemon, yeast and wax.

I’m having trouble liking this whisky. The paper/carpet/linoleum is not something I enjoy and I’m not sure what causes these flavours. Maybe the cask wasn’t as empty as expected, or there was yeast in there still. Anyway, it’s a nice gimmick and I really, really applaude one of my favourite breweries getting into distilling. I am, however, glad that I didn’t buy a full bottle.

Dutchsky, 3yo, 43%, beer barrel aged, barrel #1 is available at Drinks & Gifts at € 49.95, but she also sells samples for around € 10