★ Review: Cantillon Crianza Helena

   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20

Acquired one bottle in a trade and another @ DHVL in Belgium. Not sure which of these I’m open but both have been sitting horizontally in the cellar @ 55F for 6 months. Enjoyed split many ways but I made sure to get my pour first and tried to keep yeast out of things.

A – You still get this slightly off-cloudy orange like golden beer. champagne bubbles but only faint. 1 finger head fades to half a finger white fluffy and remains.

S – The nose is interesting. It’s a lot of sweet woody almost light candy aroma. Some very light spice, orange peel and a LOT of funk!

T – Well, the taste is incredible. I already like it far more than Blauw but it’s more acidic, more sweet-tart candy and less refined but a lot less oak. I’m guessing most of the intense flavors of 2008 are long faded most notably the distinct cognac. Honesty, I get a brandy note at the finish, some really moldy old grapes, old cheese. There’s a really nice present of sweetness and something else I can’t really describe. A well melded lambic

M – Very dry, acidity is higher than I would have hoped.

O – Worth the 125 Euro plus shipping? It’s really good! I’d drink Armand & tomme or fresh 3F Oude Gueuze any day. Still an interesting beer and I’d like to have tried it fresh.