Het Anker Gouden Carolus Single Malt Sherry Oak

Long time no see, folks! Corona and stuff make things move so sloooow...

Anyway, finally I could manage to travel again and here we went, on to Het Anker, Mechelen (Belgium) once again. This time it was the turn of their second and (so far) last single malt, matured in Sherry casks. I hear they're getting ready to launch a third label, so I'll keep an eye open.

Bought there, tasted at the Tangla Hotel Brussels' lobby bar, Aug 27, 2021. First neat, then water, finally on ice and neat again.

Pour is crystal clean amber-hued, a slight greenish cast. Medium-intensity aromas of (when neat) sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla and a tinge of pine. Then, adding water, new scents of cigar box, grass and lemon peel.

Mouth begins muscular, warm, with a very nice umami punch. Midpalate it turns sweetless, with a medium to high body. Finish is always a tad too warm, even on ice. There's more umami and a long-lingering smoky and cedar-y aftertaste.

I expected more from this one, being the vamped version (theoretically) of the Single Malt, but I must say I prefer the original dram. This one lacks balance, IMHO.