Ten years ago, four friends who had only recently started a scotch club heard about World Whisky Day, an international day of whisky celebration. Since 2014, we have held tastings both in person and virtual, sampling 50+ whiskies from 15 countries to over 120 people. Our proceeds will be going to Minneapolis-based charity People and Pets Together, who provide pet food and supplies to local food shelves. If you can’t attend, consider a donation. This year, we happily showcase five whiskies that we think underscores how diverse whisky can be. These will be from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, and Japan.
The Belgian Owl
Reading the story of The Belgian Owl is like stumbling upon a lost entry concerning Hobbits by J. R. R. Tolkien. The Owl Distillery offers their product made from spring barley with a love for the land, a sense of adventure and a decided touch of whimsy. Located in the region of Hesbaye, this whisky comes out of a long tradition of beer making. There are essentially three employees at the distillery: the farmer, the financier and the whisky maker. Between them, they have been offering core expressions of spirit and single malt whisky since 2008, both to their native countrymen and to the world. While other distilleries have histories, the gents at the Owl Distillery have crafted their own Legend. The Belgian Owl is the product of their creativity and adventuring.