Filliers 15 Years Old Oude Graanjenever

Back when I gave you a bit of a history lesson on Filliers, I also tasted the Filliers 12 Years Old Oude Graanjenever. Now that was a very good one. As it happens, I also have a sample of the 15 Year Old version. I mean, I’ve waited longe enough now, have I? Time to taste that one!

Filliers 15 Years Oude Graanjenever is made with a malt wine consisting of 50 percent malted barley and 50 percent rye, as opposed to their younger releases, which use maize as well. The maturation then took place in American oak and French Limousin oak, where they were blended with juniper distillates.

Filliers 15 Years Old Oude Graanjenever (38,6%)

Nose: Soft orange notes, like sweet orange juice from ripe oranges, as well as cocoa powder, but there’s also restrained oak, almonds and subtle furniture polish. Finally some pleasant warm spices, such as cinnamon, and the lightest touch of coriander.
Taste: Warm and sweet, with the spices making an encore, such as cardamom and cinnamon. There’s licorice here too, a hint of cough syrup, reminiscent of old style Irish pot still whiskey, as well as dried fruits, honey and menthol.
Finish: Lingering menthol notes, subtle spices. Long.

This is seriously very good, and should appeal to any whisky drinker. Best of all, it is dirt cheap.

Photo: Master of Malt

Thijs Klaverstijn

Thijs is a spirits writer and accredited liquorist from The Netherlands. He runs the blog Words of Whisky and contributes to a number of Dutch and international publications.