Jopen Single Malt Whisky

After years of releasing award-winning distillates such as gin, genever and eau-de-vie-de-bière under the banner Gospel Gin, 2023 sees the launch of a new category: Jopen Whisky.

This small batch is made from a mash of different barley malts and aged in barrels of different sizes, for more layers of intensity. Jopen has used new oak casks, bourbon barrels and Oloroso sherry casks. This creates harmonious flavours with a clear impact of the oak and Oloroso.

Tasting note

Colour

Amber

Nose

A rich full-bodied aroma immediately fills the nose. There is not one scent that stands out, but more of a harmonious ensemble of dark fruit, mild grains and sultry wood aromas. On smelling a little longer, more spicy scents emerge. A bit of the earthiness you also smell in whisky warehouses. Alcohol mixed with earthy aromas.

Taste

What immediately stands out is the delicious sweetness at the start. When the whisky hits the tongue, you are immediately surprised with a mild sweetness. Then the wood notes also come into their own and this is followed up almost immediately by a red pepper. A real friendly flavour, but certainly not plain.

Finish

For a Single Malt of this age, I was actually expecting a short finish, but I am pleasantly surprised by this sweet, spicy finish. Peppadew is the first thing that comes to mind. Mmmm.

Overall impression

At Jopen Brewery, not only can they brew delicious beers, you've also come to the right place for Small Batch Whisky.

Jopen Distillery

Located in the historic city of Haarlem, the Netherlands, Jopen Distillery is part of the famous Jopenkerk, a former church converted into a brewery and distillery. Founded in 1994 as a brewery, Jopen has expanded its distilling operations to produce high-quality spirits. The distillery uses traditional and modern techniques to create a wide range of drinks, including gin, Dutch genever and whisky.

A unique feature of Jopen Distillery is the integration of local and historical ingredients into their production process. They draw inspiration from old Haarlem recipes and combine them with modern distillation techniques. The distillery uses copper pot stills to distil their spirits, which contributes to their refined taste and quality.

Jopen whiskies are known for their rich and complex flavour profiles, with subtle nuances of spices. The distillery also has a strong focus on sustainability, with energy-efficient processes and the use of local raw materials.

The combination of a rich history, innovative techniques and a commitment to quality makes Jopen Distillery a respected name in the world of craft drinks.