WESTVLETEREN 12 -- “GOLD CAP” (BELGIUM)

This is the rarest of the rare: the Trappist monks who brew it limit customers to one case each. It pours a muted brown colour with a fluffy, off-white head. The lightly toasted dough aroma exudes swells of dark fruit with raisins, fresh plum and a touch of alcohol. It opens like liquid bread splashed down the tongue with a light candy sweetness that strums the taste buds. Like the aroma, plum and raisin soon emerge, adding sweet depth to the flavour before spicy, warming alcohol tingles in the back. Balanced and velvety, “Westy 12” coats the tongue just as quickly as it evaporates after the swallow.

10.2% Alc./Vol. (330 ml bottle)

Official website here.  Eponymous webpage here.  Below is an image of the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren where the brewery is located.