The Belgian Owl, the real attraction of the Whisky Live Belgium 2013

 

The Belgian Owl is the first single malt whisky from Belgium. This whisky is only made from local ingredients, so 100% Belgian.

The founder, Etienne Bouillon is a master distiller from Liège who decided to reach Islay Island in Scotland to refine his whisky making knowledge through the Whisky Academy at the Bruichladdich distillery, managed by the iconic Jim MacEwan.

Back to Belgium, he started to run his own distillery, the Heaven Hill Distillery in Grâce Hollogne, and begun to produce a single malt spirit, first named Pure and finally changed to The Belgian Owl in reference to a story well narrated on the website: http://www.belgianwhisky.com/en/societe-2&legende_39.html

He is making his whisky with barley coming from Hesbaye region and the malting, mashing and fermentation processes take part in an old converted farm close to Liege. Then, The mash is then matured in American oak barrels.

We had the opportunity to meet him and discuss a bit during this 10th edition of the Whisky Live Belgium.

The result of this whisky lover hard work is amazing.

His objective of is to act as less as possible and let the nature run the show. To give us the best taste of nature. As this friendly master distiller says « Nature can be different at any time, and our product goes with it ». That is his philosophy.

Distinction! The Belgian Owl was designated the « European single cask whisky of the year » by Jim Murray in 2011 on the 44 months edition.

What a great honour!

Victim of its success, the whisky was initially available as an 70cL bottle, then 50 and now 20cL. Like says « in order to be able to share it to more people ». The Belgian Owl is mainly sold in Belgium but also in France and Holland. He recently bought two pot stills from the ex-Caperdonich Distillery in order to reinforce the capacity produced and to satisfy more palates in the future. The distillery is actually close for visits but it will open again on May 2013…

 

Whisky lovers, the Heaven Hill Distillery creates for us The 200 Private Angels. If you don’t want to be flat broke, you have the opportunity to possess your own The Belgian Owl edition limited cask. Indeed, Etienne Bouillon propose you to fill in your numbered High quality American oak cask with rare Belgian Single Malt Spirit, created under the watchful eye and nose by himself. He will suggest you to follow each year the ageing of your personal whisky and you will judge at what time it should be unbolted.

Group some friends and have a great whisky experience through this magic ageing adventure. Don’t wait to have one of the 200 casks available but then wait patiently the first dram of your unique Belgian Single Malt Whisky. 
For further inormations, send an email at: 200@belgianwhisky.com

Take part in this whisky experience!

Santé! Proost!