Gouden Carolus Pure Taste Bourbon Cask

I am as chauvinistic as any other Belgian, but so far I have never been really impressed with the Belgian whisky Gouden Carolus. Maybe that might change with this Pure Taste range, that is exclusively available at the visitor center of the distillery Stokerij De Molenberg. There are 3 different releases in bottles of 200ml, all three matured matured on a different type of cask: bourbon, the Anker cask and Oloroso. Let’s try the bourbon first, bottled after 36 months at 50%. It is clear from the first whiff that this is a young distillate. Breakfast cereals with apples, barley sugar, a hint of coconut and vanilla. The body is ok, but on the palate this is very plain to be honest. Apples, coconut, grain cookies and a lot of black pepper. The finish is short and emphasizes the young age of this malt with its apples and mostly pears at the death. I am convinced that Golden Carolus could become a beautiful product in due course, but now it is simply too early. Having said that, this malt has no offnote whatsoever, so that is a plus.