Genièvre de Houlle
Houlle Carte Blanche
Distillerie Persyn
ABV: 49%
Country: France
Style: Genever
Price per bottle: £21-40 (US$27-53)
Availability: Worldwide
David T. Smith
Nose
Fabulous, complex and engaging. Malted grain with hay, citrus and digestive biscuits. Textbook.
Palate
Very smooth, despite the high ABV, and enjoyable to drink on its own. Dark rye, anise and mint sauce that complement the malt flavours. A little honey, combined with marmalade citrus.
Finish
Marbled rye with toasted dark sugar and a flicker of earthy bitterness.
Comments
A fine example of a genever: nuanced and a joy to drink. Best enjoyed simply on the rocks.
Score
9.1
Felicity Murray
Nose
Clean, fresh, malty notes mixed with freshly cut hay and wild flowers.
Palate
The high alcohol strength is very evident but the complexity of the botanical flavours filters through equally strongly with a warm and comforting mix of breakfast cereals, nuts and seeds, and a touch of anise.
Finish
The grainy flavours linger and linger.
Comments
Ideal as a cocktail base but also try mixing with soda, perhaps with a dash of bitters, or ginger ale.
This is a black label (Carte Noire), not a white label (Carte Blanche) ! But i won’t blame Gin Magazine as my English is not so good !