Gouden Carolus Cuvée Van De Keizer Whisky Infused
Brouwerij Het Anker

 

 

330 ml bottle, as Gouden Carolus Whisky Infused, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken. ABV is 11.7%. Deep reddish brown colour, moderate beige head. Aroma of malts, caramel, brown sugar, mild spices, dark dried fruits and Scotch whisky. Rich mouthfeel. Medium sweet flavour with the same elements as the aroma.

Van ‘t Vat at Cafe Kulminator in Antwerp. My first visit here in many years… the whiskey notes are present, but well blended into a favorite beer of mine. The keg is fresh; the color a rich deep amber. The head os firm and full, but relaxes to a smooth creaminess. For its strength, this is very smooth. Highly recommended should you get the chance to try it, especially here!

 

 

 

 

A whiskey infused version of one of my favorite beers and subtly done. The whiskey infusion adds another layer of flavors, rather than overpowering the base. A very tasteful alternate rendition of a wonderful brew. Glad I had a chance to drink a bottle of this.

 

 

 

 

 

Blind-tasted except for the beer's name and brewery/country, zero reviews below read (yet!)...
L- A lovely deep chestnut red, clear, pours with a 2-3Cm pillowy/creamy pale tan head, forms lacing on the way down.
S- Whisky, big-time, nothing gets past that for me.
T- 'Boom! .../... shudder!'. Lawks, that's a way to make a statement first sip of beer for today. Big, liquorish-boozy, mildly sweet though that seems held in check by the rest.
F- The whisky/ABV% leaves a zing on the tongue and palate, The boozy feel dominates all.
O- I can certainly finish it, it's different, but it seems a blunt instrument and lacks dimensions. I get the *massive* whisky, just I don't get anything much else. Inelegant, a major disappointment.
Review/scoring all done, now the reveal, I get to read the bottle lables to see what I missed! => All the gongs on it's lable, I'm honestly surprised as beyond bludgeoning it really does nothing for me, nothing else of note to read there. A shame.
750ml caged/corked bottle £10.95 BB: 31/12/2024. Bought from BeautifulBeers/BurySt.Edmunds as part of a large pick-your own consignment to London.

Dark amber with ruby ​​reflections, compact ivory foam and good persistence. On the nose hints of caramel, raisins, dehydrated plum, whiskey. Drinking reflects the olfactory sensations. Caramel, candied sugar, dehydrated dark fruit, hints of vanilla and cocoa, whiskey. The path is sweet from start to finish, only slightly attenuated by the high abv, however hidden in a magnificent way as in the Belgian school. Final with a hint of herbaceous bitterness. Medium and soft body with fine and high carbonation. A little boring beer.

 

 

(330 ml bottle, BB 15/01/2024, 119009, 11:33, label mostly in Dutch and French; my brother purchased a single off the shelf in Belgium... cellared to a degree... sampled 18 Sep 2020, split-decanted between two Achouffe tulips)

Medium-dark, roundabout chestnut-brown, very mildly hazy liquid; silky, off-white foam scum, retention lovely... on the nose: subtle smoky phenol (not peaty), chocolate-caramel coffee creamer; little ethanol heat; sedate, seductively rich aromas, yet subdued intensity... flavors: raisins, Rolo milk, plum wine; soft point of vinous booze in the finish; not far off from their standard Imperial Dark - their whiskey slightly sharpens that winey spine toward its exit; aftertaste relatively mellow, main swell of flavors during the mid-point, palate otherwise awash in malt nectar... the bottle is at least a year old (probably much more), but flows like a strong Belgian past its prime; but it's decidedly gulpable, so smooth, light and supple... damn shame he only had one bottle; gotta search for another, or just grab some standard Imp-Bl - just as lovely (1696)