No whisky on the menu today, but a genever, or this Hooghoudt PX 7 year old, to be precise. ๐
Lately, I’ve been exploring the world of genever (or jenever as we call it) a bit, a type of spirit that is distilled in the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Germany and France. Only those produced in these regions can be classified as genever. It has been around for four centuries, but it wasn’t always popular due to its reputation as an old man’s drink. Fortunately, in recent years, this perception has changed, and genever’s popularity is increasing once again. It would be a shame for this beautiful product to be forgotten over time!
But what is genever exactly? Although often referred to as Dutch gin, it’s actually not gin. The key distinction is its use of malt wine, which is derived from grains like barley, rye, and corn, following a similar production process as whisky. But in addition, genever includes a blend of juniper berries, herbs, and/or fruits in its recipe.
For this 7-year-old Single Cask release, Hooghoudt has chosen to add smoked strawberry, apricot, bergamot, Dutch juniper, and cloves. And is it made from a malt wine consisting of a mix of barley, rye, and wheat. Furthermore, it fully matured in a PX cask, after which it was bottled at a strength of 56.9% ABV.
Hooghoudt PX 7 year old tasting notes:
Nose: I immediately get a lot of rich fruit tones, think of blueberries and cherries, but also strawberries pass by. This is followed by dark chocolate, acacia honey, and a subtle smoky note. Then it goes to dried fruit, such as raisins and sweet dates. What a wonderful start!
Taste: This is lovely once again. It now starts with a herbal note, liquorice, and thyme coming to mind. This just keeps on lingering. But there is also some fruit, such as peaches and strawberries. A hint of lemon is present too, though it remains in the background. This is followed by some tobacco and spices like black pepper and cloves.
Finish: quite long with the same spices as in the taste, along with a herbal note and resin.
I must say, I am thoroughly impressed by this genever! It has a unique taste that sets it apart from any others I have tried before. The rich and flavourful notes are a real treat, and I’m convinced that this also appeals to whisky drinkers. It’s delicious!
Bottle provided by Hooghoudt.
