Claeyssens - Wambrechies

Claeyssens - Wambrechies

The traditional jenever-producing area of Europe incorporates the Netherlands, Belgium and the northwestern corner of France. One of the few remaining French jenever distilleries is Claeyssens, situated in Wambrechies.

“Wambrechies” is also the name of a single malt whisky, distilled at the Claeyssens distillery. This 3 y.o. single malt is unique in being the only whisky on the market which is distilled in a jenever distillery. Besides that, it is also distilled in a unique way. Like many malt whiskies, it is distilled twice. What makes the distillation process of “Wambrechies” so special is that the first of its two distillations takes place in a column still to a relatively low proof, after which it is distilled for a second time in a pot still. To my knowledge, this is the only whisky with such an unusual distillation method.

Unique though it may be, the whisky itself is not very pleasant: thin, with a rather rancid nose, a bitter palate and a dry finish.