Don Quijote
Brasserie Cantillon

Don QuijoteDon Quijote
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From:
Brasserie Cantillon
 
Belgium
Style:
Fruit Lambic
ABV:
5%
Score:
100
Avg:
4.58 | pDev: 11.14%
Reviews:
47
Ratings:
83
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 21, 2018
Added:
Jun 12, 2010
Wants:
  466
Gots:
  8
A fruit lambic brewed with Italian grapes similar to Concord grapes or Fox grapes (Vitis Labrusca) brewed exclusively for a Florence, Italy, Pub in 2008.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by alfrantzell:
Photo of alfrantzell
Reviewed by alfrantzell from California

3.67/5  rDev -19.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
750ml bottle courtesy of Masterski.

Just 240 750ml bottles and 140 375ml bottles of this rarity were made for Goblin's Pub in Pavullo del Negro, Italy. Bottles were available only at the pub. And you could mail order them. But only those two methods.

Funny things, these Italian grapes. They're similar to Concord grapes, which are what Welch's uses for their eponymous grape juice. And I could not get that out of my head.

Though I did try: Don Quijote looks different, being copper colored and carbonated. And it smells.. uh.. kind of different, like leather, pepper, geosmin, and gravel. And Welch's grape juice. Wave upon wave of that musky grape fluid.

The taste is mostly juice, underwritten by Cantillon's signature sweaty fetlock, yellow woodsorrel, and oak barrel. Some residual sweetness coats the mouth.

A nice effort, especially if you're a fan of Welch's. Some age would do it good.
Sep 03, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.6 by CTJman from Connecticut

Aug 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.41 by aasher from Indiana

Sep 02, 2017
 
Rated: 4.94 by baybum from Pennsylvania

Oct 17, 2016
 
Rated: 4.83 by halo3one from Georgia

Mar 28, 2016
 
Rated: 4.99 by Deltoro from Florida

Dec 28, 2015
 
Rated: 4.75 by atrocity from Virginia

Sep 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.81 by POTABLE83 from New York

Apr 13, 2015
Photo of lawsonciv
Reviewed by lawsonciv from Oklahoma

5/5  rDev +9.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This beer is unbelievable. I have never had a beer so hyped (and so damn expensive) but it was worth every penny. The hype is real on Mr. Donnie Quijote. Tons of grapes on the nose with a more subtle grape flavor in the taste. I imagine a bit of the grape has gone away in the last 6 years this bottle has been aging. Beautiful beer. I would spend $100 an oz again. haha
Jan 31, 2015
 
Rated: 5 by jschonert from Missouri

Nov 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by trxxpaxxs from New York

Sep 13, 2014
Photo of jegross2
Reviewed by jegross2 from Illinois

4.87/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Reviewing the infamous Don Quijote from Brasserie Cantillon out of Belgium. This grape lambic was brewed exclusively for the Goblin Pub in Italy.

Score: 98

2008 vintage bottle served in an Iris balloon glass and enjoyed on 04/25/14. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Pours a lovely pinkish-brownish-orange color with gorgeous fade towards the edges. No head off the pour. No lacing or retention. Real nice color, however. 4.5/5

Smell: Bold and distinctive Kedeem Kosher-for-Passover concord grape juice mixed with a lovely and bright tropical fruitiness and a light oakiness. Hint of vinegar too. I really dig the sour tropical fruit-spiked grape juice nose here. No funkiness. 5/5

Taste: Less complex and bold than the nose, but nonetheless tasty. Upfront is a relatively mellowed grape juice flavor that does not come across as sugary-sweet as it did in the aroma. Good tartness upfront too. Muted fruitiness towards the finish, with a lasting sourness. The grape flavor is somewhat crisp, with the linger being more of the lemon, hint of mango and mineral water character typical of Cantillon. This beer is quite lovely tasting, but the taste is not quite the fruity Kedeem grape juice bomb that the nose is. No real funk, save for a hint of such towards the finish. 4.75/5

Mouthfeel: Super juicy mouthfeel with a lightly dry finish. Lovely tartness that is not too subtle nor too intense, and a marvelously balanced acidity. 5/5

Overall: Supremely well-balanced and pleasantly fruity with minimal, if any, funk. This is one of the few whales out there that lives up to its mythos. While not cheap, it was certainly worth the once-in-a-lifetime tick. My only regret is that there was not more in the bottle to sip and savor.

Cost: $900 for a 375 ml bottle.
May 21, 2014
Photo of cfrances33
Reviewed by cfrances33 from Illinois

4.92/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Bottle decanted and poured into a Cantillon tulip. Pour is a mildly hazy, juicy magenta. A finger of pink head. Smell is beautiful, rich grape and lemon acidity. A good dose of funk as well. Jammy grapes and lemon acidity on the taste. Grape flavor is rich, but not too sweet... balanced well with one of the cleanest funk profiles I’ve ever encountered. Minerally and delicious. Mouthfeel is rich, juicy, yet untterly drinkable. Dry finish. Overall... this might be tied with Blauw for the best beer I’ve ever had. Certainly the best fruited lambic. Perhaps we will meet again one day!
Feb 04, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by CheapBeerBuzz from California

Jan 26, 2014
Photo of joel66
Reviewed by joel66 from New York

4.83/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
If i could have sex with a beer, id fuck the shit out if don q. Its that good!
Grape jam , flavor and taste, ton of fruit, light tartness, incredibly well balanced. Pinot di aunis is a very close second but jesus this beer is good. If only it was readily available!

Until we meet again
Dec 31, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by brian4beer from Indiana

Nov 30, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by BeerAndBourbon from Ohio

Oct 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by BARFLYB from Pennsylvania

Oct 20, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by Mopps from Virginia

Oct 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by CityofBals from Illinois

Sep 12, 2013
Don Quijote from Brasserie Cantillon
Beer rating: 100 out of 100 with 83 ratings