Filliers is mostly known for making genever. Especially in Belgium and to a lesser extend in the Netherlands as well. Just recently they decided switch gears. Whisky is to be the future of this family-run distillery. Their latest release is the Filliers 15 Years Sherry Oak Casks.
Despite efforts from Dutch and Belgian distillers, it has proven difficult to revive genever as a category of global importance. The World of Genever campaign was backed by an influential group of companies and received subsidies from the European Union, but never really managed to give genever a foothold in the United States.
In 2018 two copper pot stills from Forsyths were installed at Filliers, a clear sign of the distillery’s priorities. But there’s work to be done. An in-depth article in Belgian newspaper De Tijd states that whisky makes up about 7% of their sales volume. Nevertheless, as whisky is an easier sell than genever the company is confident they can eventually make up for the decline of genever sales.
The new Filliers 15 Years Sherry Oak Casks has not been distilled in the new copper pot stills, but rather in the copper alembics the distillery has been using for genever. It matured fully in first-fill sherry oak.
Filliers 15 Years Sherry Oak Casks (43%, OB, 2024)
Nose: The casks have been influential. There are raisins, cinnamon-sprinkled apple parts and nougat, as well as just a hint of fudge. Oakier characteristics are there too, such as sandalwood, a touch of fennel, tea leaves and whispers of cigar boxes. Then a good amount of pine needles too. Filliers certainly isn’t a dime a dozen.
Taste: Rather dry, tannic and oak-driven. Much like the 10-year-old, this almost seems like a mixture of rye whisky and single malt. Touches of angelica root, charred oak and rye spices, pushing the (very) subtle red fruits to the background.
Finish: Medium length. Quite malty and certainly spicy. A soft herbaceousness to finish.
Photo: Passionforwhisky.com
