Whisky Symphony Gueuze

Limited edition 'new' Eylenbosch geuze, blended from lambics that were partially aged on whisky barrels; only 1500 bottles were made apparently, as this was a one-off created for the Toer de Geuze 2024. Thick and frothy, audibly crackling, egg-white, pillowy head over a misty orangey peach-golden robe with lively sparkling. Rich nose of cooked gooseberries, yellow plums, vanilla and indeed a whiff of Speyside whisky, moldy orange, sweaty feet, white pepper (probably also the whisky), fried storage apples, wet wood, dry cheese rind, old jute, medlar, persimmon. Crisp onset, dryish but fruity with notes of ripe yellow plum, purple gooseberry, unripe persimmon and even a vague peachy sweetishness (from the whisky I reckon); very lively fizzing carbonation through a bready, even slightly biscuity base, with a seemingly sweetish element which - like that peachy fruitiness - probably comes purely from the whisky. Yoghurty lactic tartness and woody tannins keep everything in check, while this generous fruitiness (ripe gooseberries, plum, even some pear at this point) continues unabatedly, adorned with a vanillin hint from the wood and the whisky. A slight lemony accent adds 'fraîcheur' but as a whole, this geuze remains very 'mals', yet still credible and complex; mild cheesy notes in the finish, but low bitterness. A very fruity, almost 'autumny' geuze, with the whisky adding a sweet touch of vanilla, biscuit and peach and softening a-everything, as it did in the very few other 'whisky geuzes' I had so far; I think this flavour combination is worth investigating further because at least in this particular case, it has worked out beautifully. A gem, too bad I did not buy another bottle while I had the chance!