Filliers 8-Year-Old Single Rye Whisky Review: spices and caramel sweetness

Filliers isn’t a new name in the world of spirits. In addition to jenever, gin, and vodka, Filliers also distills some intriguing whiskies. Today, it’s time for their 8-year-old Single Rye, a fresh release from Belgium.

Filliers is arguably Belgium’s best-known distillery. It’s a family business that began in 1880, now run by Benoit Filliers, a sixth-generation son. In the early 20th century, Filliers jenever was practically Belgium’s national drink. These days, the company is known for far more than jenever, producing an extensive range of other spirits. And fortunately for us, whisky is among them.

Filliers sits not far from Ghent in West Flanders. The distillery’s total whisky output (200–250,000 liters per year) is comparable to Kingsbarns or Edradour in Scotland. Not bad for a European distillery, especially one that produces much more than just whisky.

Filliers makes both single malt and rye whiskies. Roughly a tenth of its total whisky production is rye, and that’s the grain behind today’s bottle. We’re looking at the Filliers 8-Year-Old Rye Whisky, released in August 2023.

Filliers has spent years working with rye to craft its jenever. Before producing the rye whisky we’re tasting today, Filliers made ‘Goldlys.’ In Scotland, Goldlys would be called a single grain whisky. The 8 Years Old Single Rye is different and so is its distillation process.

Filliers’ first single rye whisky was only three years old, but there are now five- and eight-year-old versions. Both mature in a mix of new and used American oak casks. Filliers uses only malted Dutch rye to produce these whiskies.

The Belgian distillery owns pot stills from legendary Scottish coppersmiths Forsyths, though those are reserved for their single malt. The rye whisky first runs through old column stills and then through old pot stills. These other pot stills resemble cognac stills with worm tubs. This hybrid approach gives Filliers Single Rye a balance between pot still richness and column still smoothness.

The simple rectangular bottle is made exclusively for Filliers rye whisky. It’s a clear departure from the darker glass of their single malt bottles with etched striping.

One hundred percent malted rye delivers an earthy, spicy character that shines here. After eight years in sweet American oak, the whisky naturally takes on a syrupy weight. Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of vanilla for the same reason. The interplay of lighter and darker notes lands somewhere between speculaas spice and milk chocolate, and it works beautifully.

This whisky isn’t overly soft, yet it’s gentler than many other ryes. On the nose you’ll find rich stone-fruit aromas. Those sweet, rum-like notes carry through into the finish. At 46.5 percent ABV, it feels like a sweet spot, delivering depth without becoming overpowering.

This whisky fits neatly into the growing landscape of new European ryes. Fans of American rye should give Filliers Single Rye a try to discover something richer and more earthen. Using 100 percent malted rye brings bold flavor to this dram, but not so much that it becomes a challenge to drink. All told, Filliers Single Rye is an easy whisky to fall for.

+ Deep layers of sweet aromas like caramel, stone fruits, chocolate

+ An attractive, affordable bottle made especially for a new Belgian whisky

- Not easy to find at many Dutch liquor stores

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