Belgian Owl 5 Year Old Cask Strength

The Belgian Owl started production in October 2004. For the third year in a row, Etienne Bouillon is releasing a single malt at cask strength. I tried this one, from cask 4276140 filled in 200ml bottles, at the recent festival in Ghent and took home a sample to try again. It is pretty pale. The ABV is a staggering 76,1%. Where is my water?

The nose is way to hot to reveal much, but I do believe I get vanilla, canned pears and pineapple, but also coconut milk. Heahter and other grasses. This is very pleasant, but I need to add water. The milky aromas come out more once diluted.

On the palate, it is absolutely scorching. Without adding water, I can hardly say anything useful. Diluted I get a truckload of vanilla and white fruit on syrup. Apricots, pineapple and even mandarins like the ones used on pastries. Ginger and some white pepper make it fiery. It can take a lot of water. Good swimmer.

The finish is very long, spicy and fresh. On the deathbed, I get some green apples!

Gone are the overbearing hints of oak and bubblegum that I had in previous releases. This is quite an improvement. Boy, what will this be like when it has matured for 12 years?

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