Collaboration THB X Belgian Owl
Hello Burger Fans,
This week, focus on our collaboration with an exceptional whisky, Belgian Owl. Also from the Liège region, it had everything of the ideal partner to create a mind‑blowing Burger of the month. With a product of such quality, we were able to create a unique Burger with whisky‑infused meat and a sauce marinated with spicy and fruity notes. A delight for the taste buds (especially when enjoyed with a glass of Belgian Owl 😉). Once again, we didn’t skimp on quality: we wanted a Burger worthy of the reputation of the single malt whisky family business. No doubt about it: mission accomplished.
This time, however, the collaboration took a somewhat different turn from our previous experiences in the field. And that’s exactly what we’re going to talk about today 🙂 Together, we are going to produce a unique barrel, signed The Huggy’s Bar X Belgian Owl. The whisky will reach 60 months of maturity on the anniversary date of Huggy’s Bar in September 2022, that is 10 years after the opening of our first THB! It will be available for tasting in all our establishments, and maybe even to pick up a bottle 😀 A first decade that will therefore be celebrated with wisdom and panache.
And it was not without great admiration that we met Etienne Bouillon and his team to seal this partnership, which excites us as much as it frustrates us (because that’s the whole point, the 5‑year wait is going to feel terribly long for impatient people like us!). Apparently good things always come to those who wait 🙂
A short interview with the master of the house: Etienne Bouillon
- How did you get the desire to produce your own whisky?
I am above all an epicurean, a lover of good things and very curious. I have always loved whisky, and I wanted to showcase our terroir by highlighting our local farmers.
- A funny anecdote about Belgian Owl?
I met Jim McEwan (nicknamed “The Malt Magician”) in 2004 at a whisky festival in Ghent. I persuaded him to taste my whisky, which was not yet mature and therefore at 70°C. I asked him if he was upset that I was producing Belgian whisky… He poured himself a glass, went away to taste it, then came back and told me: “It is as good as those produced in Scotland”. I think it was his way of telling me that he supported my project. Since then I’ve visited his distillery and I send him samples at every bottling.
- What other drinks do you enjoy?
As an epicurean, I like a lot of things (laughs)! But I always appreciate a good rum, and I also love Trappist beers, such as Orval for example.
- Have your consumption habits changed since the creation of Belgian Owl?
Not really, no. On the other hand, you really learn to taste this product for pleasure rather than just to consume it. It’s funny, we chose the owl as our emblem because it represents wisdom and knowledge. That was well before the campaign “Our knowledge is enjoyed wisely”!
- What does this collaboration with The Huggy’s Bar mean to you?
We share a common philosophy, one of know‑how and quality. That clearly makes exchanges easier! It’s thanks to basic ingredients (local and from the terroir), the method and passion that we can transcend products known to the general public.
- Finally, can you tell us what makes a “good whisky”? What are the essential criteria?
First of all, you should know that at any competition, tests are carried out blind by a jury of professionals. The whisky must be supple, fruity and spicy. It’s a perfect balance between quality on the nose, length in the mouth and an equilibrium between the floral notes (which come from the soil) and the spicy notes (which come from the barrel). We produce a whisky from the Hesbaye terroir, really highlighting what nature has provided. Obviously our whisky is never identical from one harvest to the next!
Here is an ambitious project that should keep whisky lovers on the edge of their seats. In the meantime, we promise to keep you informed about OUR barrel as it evolves. We’ll take great care of it, and we already have an appointment with the distillery next week to see the harvests 😀
Come quickly discover the Belgian Owl Burger, it’s on the menu until the end of April.Book your table as soon as possible, this is where it happens >
