Another one in this ongoing series of Silly Scotch (one of the last 'Belgian Scotch' ales if you ignore the many traditional Christmas ales inspired by it but usually containing extra spicing) aged on different barrels, in this case Sauvignon Blanc, actually a 'cépage' but also a wine made from it of course, a kind of dry white wine most typically coming from southwestern France. From a 75 cl bottle with cork and muselet, bought at De Picker in Zele and shared with Craftmember. Pale yellowish beige, medium sized, shred-lacing head on a misty bronze-brown robe with warm burgundy glow. Aroma of biscuit, toffee, lots of vanilla-scenting oak wood, caramel sauce, sweet sherry, clove, brown bread, a light background touch of liquorice, demi-sec wine, rosehip, thyme, brandy, baker's yeast. Lots of sweetish dried fruits in the onset, dried figs, raisins, but also some blue plum and medlar, vague sourish edge, lively yet small-bubbled and in that sense perfectly finetuned carbonation paired with a smooth, full, lightly oily mouthfeel with a vinous touch. Toffeeish and soft brown-bready malt core with even a subtle chocolatey edge but clearly evolving into a bitter-toasty ending as befits a Scotch; along the way, the white wine effect sets in, sweet and clearly detectable without overpowering everything. It brings some tannic, 'vanillish' woodiness too, whilst accentuating flashes of clove, rosehip and liquorice; the toasted bitter element is supported by leafy hops while alcohol waits till the end to effectuate its warming, soothing glow. Highly elegant, refined Scotch variant - like the others in this beautiful series, which has enormous ageing potential and great finesse, but is still incomprehensibly underestimated in the craft beer world today. Fine with me - more for those who know and appreciate its secrets, then.

My palate isn't good enough to discern all the flavours but a complex beer, sweet with a bitter finish. Bought on-line from Beers of Europe, drank at home. A splendid beer.,