ABV, Yeah you know me...

Not so long a long ago, someone asked me : « You know, I just can’t drink whiskies above 50-55% ABV  (alcohol by volume) » I was a little shocked. This guy just doesn’t know what he is missing... I knew already why but I asked him anyways and he answered: «Well, not that I can’t drink it, I just don’t like it because I can’t "taste" the whisky. It’s too strong !» I think this is understandable. At first, 41% is strong, then 50% is strong as well. But with time, you’ll come around. It’s all about retro-olfaction and tasting training.  Make sure to mix it with your saliva a couple of seconds or add a little bit of water, but most of all, take smaller sips. You’ll get around, like you are slowly finding your way into this world. Discovering new whiskies is good, appreciating is better and sharing is best !

About ABV: Once distilled and before going onto the casks, the liquid will be between 70% and 80% ABV (maximum 62,5% for Bourbon, it's the law). Many factors contribute to lower the alcohol, especially for a cask strength because they don’t add water. The years aging the whisky and the location of the cask are the contributing factors. Exception to the rule, sometime the alcohol will increase…in Kentucky or India. Hot Mother Nature’s contribution.

Here are 2 special whiskies with very high ABV. It’s difficult to make whisky without screwing up the taste when the ABV is high, but here we have proof they can be wonderful whiskies. The first whiskey is from Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky and the second one from the Belgium Owl Distillery in Belgium, the whisky with the highest ABV ever made...

George T. Stagg, 69% : ... Howdy partner ! How you doin’ !? Smell like the super extra wonderful vanilla cake and vanilla cream and vanilla (with the calories). Almond cookies. A remarkable sent, very vivid and also comforting (is it the 15 years waiting in the oak barrels?) The first sip will hit hard. IT ROCKS. We are somewhere else – another league. GSP in the ring ladies! How can a whisky with such an high ABV could be so distinctive and delicious? I can taste toffee, coffee, and dark chocolate too. Heart shaped cinnamon candies. Its sweet I have to admit but also light – very good bourbon. 94%

Belgian Owl 60 mois, 76.1%, cask # 4276140: Ok – we are somewhere else. This is something. And I love it !!! Really. It’s incredible to taste something so strong and appreciated it so much. Gold color and fat. Nose: bourbon a little fruit and vanilla. But the alcohol is so strong. You need go back and forth.  Taste: It’s a young whisky and we can taste it unfortunately, but you have the dry raisins helping the liquid to be fully appreciated. It’s a bit acid on the finale. Almost floral. It’s a pretty nice surprise because my first thought was: They are completely crazy to dare so high ABV. This will kill your flu. 91