Duvel Distilled 2021 (40% ABV) will be launching this autumn to mark Duvel Brewery’s 150th anniversary.
The jubilee year kicked off iwith the launch of Duvel 6,66%, and the spectacular finale will be the limited Duvel Distilled in a very special bottle.
The extraordinary anniversary distillate has been bottled in a stunning limited-edition vessel in the shape of the iconic Duvel glass with the red Duvel ‘D’ featuring prominently.
The sturdy bottle holder is inspired by Duvel’s full head of white foam, and the foot of the Duvel glass has been transformed into the cap of the bottle. A run of only 8,000 numbered bottles be available globally from mid-November.
The distillate has been allowed to mellow for a full decade in oak bourbon and sherry barrels, followed by a finish in Moscatel de Sétubal barrels from Portugal.
This edition is a true anniversary distillate, both in terms of taste and looks — an exclusive one-off. But, according to Cédric Heymans, head of barrel ageing and distillations at Duvel Moortgat, further original creations will be released in the coming years.
Arthur Motley, whisky buyer at Royal Mile Whiskies, said: “We’ve always loved Duvel, of course, and so we were delighted to hear about the ten-year-old Duvel Distilled launching for the Belgian brewery’s anniversary.
“Like other whisky fans, we are licking our lips at the thought of getting to try the distilled, aged version of such a legendary brew.”
Duvel Distilled 2021 has a dark red and ochre-like colour, and subtle, slightly fruity, nutty notes, with hints of vanilla, toffee, and raisins. This ten-year-old brew is delicious with grilled fish, meat, and vegetables such as artichoke and roasted Brussels sprouts, as well as dark chocolate, crème brulée and tarte tatin. Aged, hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Groendael also pair exceptionally well with Duvel Distilled, which is best served in a tumbler glass with ice cubes or simply neat in a small tulip glass.
Duvel Barrel Aged Batch No 6, The Jamaican Rum Edition (12% ABV) — the second of the two autumn releases — is the sixth consecutive vintage of the Duvel Barrel Aged release, but the first to be matured in Jamaican rum barrels, which delivers an especially complex beer. Duvel Barrel Aged is golden coloured with a higher alcohol percentage and decreased bitterness.
Combining the punchy bite of Duvel with the sensational flavour of rum barrels, Duvel Barrel Aged 2021, The Jamaican Rum Edition has been matured in rum casks, just like last year. In 2020, Duvel master brewer Hedwig Neven had wooden barrels from The West Indies Rum Distillery in Barbados installed in the Duvel cellars, but this time he sought inspiration in Jamaica.
This has generously enriched the Duvel beer with the Jamaican spirit’s aromas of vanilla, dried fruit and oak, producing a barrel-aged strong golden ale, perfect to serve at the end of a festive meal or next to a crackling fire this autumn. This special beer pairs well with strong cheeses, game dishes, (grilled) meat dishes, chocolate, exotic fruit, pumpkin, sushi, or cinnamon. The 100% barley malt is hopped like Classic Duvel with Saaz and Styrian Goldings.
Each numbered 75cl bottle of Duvel Barrel Aged will be sold with a specially designed glass that comes gift boxed. The Duvel tasting glass is a combination of Duvel’s iconic, nucleated tulip glass and a tumbler glass. Otherwise, the beer is often served in export markets in a wine glass, a tulip glass or a tumbler can and is ideally served at a temperature between 8°C and 10°C.
Duvel Distilled 2021 will be available in a limited edition from the middle of November, exclusively via wholesaler James Clay and Sons. RRP £125 from Harvey Nichols and Royal Mile Whiskies.
