Belgian distillery Filliers lately began the sixth chapter of their historical past, with Benoit Filliers as the subsequent era within the firm administration. He’s clearly taking a look at issues with an open thoughts, exhibiting lots of enthusiasm. Just lately the distillery launched two new expressions: Filliers 15 12 months Outdated and the Cask Power expression which we’re having at this time. The 15 Years sticks to the recipe of the cornerstone 10 12 months Outdated, however the cask energy model is barely completely different as a result of it replaces Oloroso with Pedro Ximénez sherry casks.
Whereas Filliers put in two copper pot stills from Forsyths in 2018, the whisky in the marketplace at this time nonetheless comes from their copper alembics, additionally used for his or her different core product: conventional genever. Although it’s a double distilled single malt, these alembics give the spirit a personality that’s completely different from Scotch.
Filliers has been investing closely in sherry casks, with a really inflexible acquisition coverage. They’re all purchased from one provider, they’re all first-fill European oak they usually’re nearly solely Oloroso. Their warehouse homes the oldest sherry matured Belgian whisky, however as a result of cask administration it’s one very particular type of sherry, with much less selection than most Scottish distilleries can supply. This PX model is a pleasant exception to this rule.
The bottle is available in a novel, elaborate packaging. It makes use of snap fasteners to connect the lid to the underside, which additionally doubles as a pleasant show stand. The bottle itself has an excellent premium really feel as properly, world class actually.
Filliers Single Malt – Cask Power – Pedro Ximénez (58,5%, OB 2024)
Nostril: sturdy sherry aromas, in a really cask-driven means. Loads of cigar packing containers and recent sandalwood, with hints of shoe polish and whiffs of nail polish. Then a sweeter facet comes out, on raisins, figs and darkish honey. Some baking spice too (black peppercorns, ginger, nutmeg), together with darkish chocolate and raisins. It’s truly a bit much less candy than I anticipated – the loud woody character even overpowers a wine as sticky as PX. Hints of closely steeped black tea and fragrant pine needles after some time.
Mouth: nonetheless very a lot influenced by the European oak, which provides lots of dryness on high of the PX darkness. Chilli warmth, loads of pine needles and juniper. Plain oak shavings too. Spices throughout – assume cinnamon and ginger, with a touch of marmite, roasted nuts and fairly some tannins. Then tobacco leaves, juniper and a sense of wholegrain bread as properly. Very agency and strong.
End: lengthy, with roasted espresso beans, walnuts, loads of citrusy spice however nonetheless an excessive amount of woody notes general.
Total this might idiot you into considering you’re ingesting a rye whisky from Oloroso casks, due to the beneficiant spicy notes. The genever alembics and the loud European oak make this whisky stand out, however collectively they’re additionally the Achilles heel of Filliers, for my part. I’ve tried their next-generation pot nonetheless whisky instantly from the cask, and though it’s a lot youthful it’s already extra gratifying. Now all they should do is begin shopping for American oak sherry casks and / or refill wooden. Attention-grabbing occasions developing at Filliers, with the appropriate concepts Benoit may flip this into Belgium’s personal GlenDronach.
