Tasting Trader Joe’s Belgian Ale & Scotch
Recently, I decided to try a couple of Trader Joe’s alcohol offerings. So, I got myself a beer and a whiskey. The beer was Trader Joe’s Providential Belgian-Style Golden Ale and the whiskey was Trader Joe’s Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, both of which come in 750ml bottles. I’ll start off discussing the whiskey.
Trader Joe’s Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky, which is aged 10 years and matured in Oak casks, has a typical 40% ABV. It has a light golden color with nice, long legs and its nose is sweet, perhaps apples, honey, toffee – overall, light. Hitting the palate, it’s kind of soft and easygoing, with the light nose carrying with it. Midway through the palate, I noticed a calm spice that picks up on the finish. In addition to the spice is a noticeable oakeyness on the finish that also begins midway through the palate. It almost seems like a bourbon in that it has a significant oakeyness to it – it seems like it could be a gateway into Scotch for Bourbon-drinkers. And, at $20.99 for a 750ml bottle, it’s certainly worthwhile for the price of this easy-to-drink Scotch.
I then moved on to the Trader Joe’s Providential Belgian-Style Golden Ale. This ale, which is brewed with spices, has an ABV of 7.5% and, interestingly, is brewed by Unibroue. On the nose, I got a fruitiness, perhaps of some sort of tree fruit, although a dry fruitiness. I found it to be pleasantly carbonated with a subdued fruity sweetness. As for its finish, at first, I didn’t particularly like it. However, after several sips, the spices began to grow on me. I eventually began to enjoy the finish, which is not sweet. For its pricepoint as a Belgian-style golden ale, it’s decent and fairly affordable. I’m not going to say that this beer is amazing for the price, but it is decent and an affordable alternative to other Belgian-style golden ales.
