Golan Heights ‘Spicy Hummus’ (Distilled chickpea beer)

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Hummus is a very popular Israeli dish (it’s not really Israeli, but rather middle eastern, and eaten in many countries nearby : Egypt, Lebanon,Syria, Jordan etc), I like it from time to time, but a Hummus distilled Spirit?

Spicy Hummus beer distillation? I must be kidding right? Well… No. This isn’t an April fools joke or anything, it’s a real product. David Zibell of the G.Heights distillery up north has come up with an idea to make a line of distilled beers, aged in oak, not something that has never been done, right? Some artisan distilleries do just that..

The beer David chose to distill this time is made by the Meadan brewery, a brewery that specialists in Gluten free beers made from chickpeas, dates etc. This time the wash is made from chickpeas (or Hummus in Hebrew) : the chickpeas Ale (known also as “Hummus Beer”), is a sour ale made with malted chickpeas and two kinds of hops.  After distillation the spirit was aged for 2 years in Ex-Golani Black (a two grain whisky made by GH distillery).

At first attempt I was a bit puzzled.. I must say, as this is clearly very different from whisky (It’s not claiming to be a whisky), but It has its charm. Let’s dram…

Spicy Hummus, 50%, 2 years old (Ex-Golani casks),  Golan Heights Distillery 200 NIS / $60 

Nose: funky and sweet with a nice sweetness, honeyed with a Grappa like perfume, berries, nutmeg, tea Masala mix.. And a little sour-ish, wood. 
Palate: spicy entry.. Spices galore and the abv does help… Pepper, chili, then when the heat subsides there’s a nice bitter and fruity edge, reminiscent of an IPA..  And more white pepper, ending on sweet notes. 
Finish: sweet, spicy and drying, wood and honeycomb 

Bottom Line:

So… It takes some time to get used to the aromas and flavors, but when you come to peace with yourself that this is  NOT a whisky and should not behave as such, It really is a nice sipping spirit. Sweet and bitter at times, and quite floral and delicate and honeyed on the nose. Not your everyday dram, but at 200 ILS It’s a very nice Malt-ernative.
I Wonder what’s Brewer’s whisky #2 going to be?
Availbale locally online at the GH distillery’s Facebook page 

 

 

One thought on “Golan Heights ‘Spicy Hummus’ (Distilled chickpea beer)”

  1. Had a taste of this spirit it’s real good and something special to share with someone close beside the fire.
    Had to bring a bottle home to Ireland!!

    Reply

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