Hel & Verdoemenis Wild Turkey B.A. - Brouwerij De Molen

jrallen34

Illinois

3.4/5  rDev -19.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

batch 2, bottle # 1256... dark brown body, hint of dark amber on the fringe, a dark tan head rises about two fingers but is gone way to quick to only leave a light watery ring... light bourbon backbone, present but not overpowering, in addition to the bourbon, light chocolate, molasses and vanilla, like it but not strong enough, too muted to love it... taste is chocolate with alcohol, too alcoholic, a bit of vanilla on the back, ok... mouthfeel is full and velvety but a touch to warm... this is ok, probably needs some more time as its too hot... a little disappointing

Serving type: bottle

06-05-2011 18:26:20 | More by jrallen34

Matagal

Brazil

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

05-13-2013 16:12:52 | More by Matagal

Abio

Belgium

4/5  rDev -5.2%

04-29-2013 14:23:29 | More by Abio

metter98

New York

4.11/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

A: The beer is jet black in color. It poured with a thin dark tan head that quickly died down, leaving a bit of lacing on the surface and a collar around the edge of the glass.
S: Moderate to strong aromas of bourbon from the barrel aging are present in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and has lots of flavors of bourbon along with associated notes of vanilla and hints of chocolate from the underlying malts.
M: It feels medium- to full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation with lots of warming from the bourbon.
O: This beer is nice if you like bourbon but the barrel aging really masks the flavors of the underlying beer. It tastes rather strong, but most of the alcohol that is noticeable comes from the bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 21:20:50 | More by metter98

Bandi

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -5.2%

04-19-2013 21:12:12 | More by Bandi

IPA35

Netherlands

4.51/5  rDev +6.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Bottled: 28 January 2013.

Were the normal version had a huge head yesterday this does not. A thin film of tan head that fizzes away quickly. Very different from the huge frothy head yesterday that stayed on forever.
Still a dark beer with some reddishes at the bottom of the glass.

You can still smell the base beer, a pretty roasty and charred stout but added to that is an unmistakenly boozy nose. Whiskey for sure. Some coffee still there as well. Vanilla from the casks. Interesting!

Taste then...
Interesting, I think the base beer is subdued a little by the barrels. As expected. It appears less fruity than the original with more of an oaky, vanilla, bourbon flavour to it. The barrels do not overpower the beer however. The fruitiness (or more like malty sweetness) that it has is still there with a oaky/vanilla-ish flavour from the Wild Turkey. Very very complex, especially for me a non-bourbon/whisk(e)y drinker.

Not alcohol from the actual beer.

Very smooth, probably even more than the original. Could be the additional 1% ABV this bottling has. Even less carbonation too. A nice full and oily body.

A very enjoyable beer. It is much better than the original? I don't dare to say but it is different for sure. Well recommended. The 666 version I had long ago is maybe even better.

Serving type: bottle

04-19-2013 20:02:23 | More by IPA35

doucmehu

Wisconsin

3.5/5  rDev -17.1%

10-02-2012 04:33:40 | More by doucmehu

bsuedekum

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +12.6%

07-04-2012 20:07:42 | More by bsuedekum

eawolff99

Colorado

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

07-03-2012 02:28:35 | More by eawolff99

MasterSki

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Sampled both batches in succession at the West Lakeview Liquors De Molen tasting. Thanks Kristina! Served in a Glunz taster glass. Mostly going off the superior first release from August 22nd, 2010 here.

A - Thin tan foam settles to a thin collar, no lace. Vaguely transparent dark brown body.

S - The aroma is terrific, with great integration of bourbon, vanilla, roasted malts, biscuit, caramel, and chocolate. Really nice balance of flavors here.

T - Taste is a bit more roasty, with light residual bitterness. Still, this is heavy on the chocolate and biscuit flavors, with pleasant oaky vanilla and a touch of bourbon.

M - Low carbonation, medium-full body, super chewy, with exceptionally well-hidden alcohol. Quite mellow - I could easily have consumed the entire nip bottle on my own.

D - Well, the first batch is significantly better than the more recent (red-waxed) one from February 2011. The newer one is harsher, with more overt oak and alcohol flavors. That being said, I think I like the De Molen Black Damnations more. Since tracking down the first release may prove impossible, I'd recommend sitting on the newer bottles for a bit longer to see if they mellow.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 18:45:22 | More by MasterSki

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Shared by ygtbsm94. Thanks Brad.

Brewed 10 Oct 2010
Bottled 14/21 Feb 2011

Bottle 1299 of 1560

The beer is dark brown with a thin, beige head of broken bubbles. The head fades rapidly, leaving an oily film on the snifter.

The aroma offers a healthy dose of oak and barrels, followed by roast and booze.

The beer also tastes very oak forward, even somewhat tannic. The flavor exhibits a nice roast character, as well as notes of chocolate covered berries. Additional flavors include malt, syrup, molasses.

The feel is relatively full bodied, with lingering notes of oak and booze.

Overall, I found this to be pretty tasty. I would have it again.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 21:28:32 | More by Huhzubendah

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%

05-25-2012 23:05:58 | More by ygtbsm94

kojevergas

California

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hel & Verdoemenis Wild Turkey barrel aged. Brewed 10 Oct 2010. Bottled 14/21 Feb 2011. 13% ABV. .33cl bottle served into a minigoblet at Olbutikken in Copenhagen, in early July 2011. Reviewed from detailed notes. Expectations were extremely high given the beer's reputation. Purchased at Olbutikken.

Served slightly warmer than refrigerator cold. I talked with the Olbutikken worker while reviewing, which is why this review is less detailed than most of my high-rating reviews. I had this shortly before reviewing Mikkeller Black Hole Red Wine edition (also at Olbutikken).

A: Pours no head at all - a common De Molen feature, and likely a result of the 13% ABV. Colour is a solid nontransparent black.

Sm: A mild strength aroma of caramel, toffee, and chocolate. Subtle and inviting.

T: Bourbon notes, spice, chocolate, toffee, and very light cream. No caramel or alcohol comes through. Complex and incredibly well built, with a well layered dark malt foundation. The spices are divine, but masterfully subtle. The flavour profile as a whole features incredible subtlety. Very well balanced.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Complements the flavours. Unfortunately, it's a bit undercarbonated though. Good thickness.

Dr: Very drinkable. An amazing beer, and probably the best I've had from De Molen. It lives up to the hype. I'd have it again anytime. Hides its ABV incredibly well. Subtle and wonderful. Complex and amazing. Very fairly priced in Denmark.

A

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 00:29:03 | More by kojevergas

BEERchitect

Kentucky

3.95/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

With the assistance of Wild Turkey bourbon to the ultra roasty Hel & Verdoemenis stout, there's a barrel-aged silkiness that emerges that softens the ashy edge of the beer while complementing with caramel and vanilla sweetness.

Pouring from an oddly clear bottle dipped judiciously with red wax, the 11oz bottle decants with a inky black color, rich viscosity, and low lying carbonation. Like espresso, only a delicate creme aligns the edge of the glass with intermittent pockets muddled about. Instead of lacing, the beer extends its appearance with brandyish legging and oils.

Rich aromas of strong roasted coffee, cocoa, scorched caramel, butterscotch, charred woods, roasted walnuts, cherry flavored alcohols, soft vanilla and almond all share the stage with the scents of bourbon and espresso leading the way. A great sense of depth and complexity is promised even before the first sip is taken.

The dominance of roasted grain and bourbon booze also dominate the taste while the complementing flavors of burnt caramel, campfire smoke, spicy tannin, cherry wood, thin maple, nuttiness, peppery phenols, and charred fruits offer a ton of interest and complexity- releasing new flavors at each visit to the glass. Still, the strong taste of ash that's noted in the original Hel & Verdominis is alive and well in this beer although the succulence of Wild Turkey bourbon rounds off the rougher edges of the dry roast taste.

The robust texture that's pulled together by the mildly unresolved sweetness is aided by the lack of carbonation that allows the sweetness to cling richly to the tongue and coax the palate with thin bourbon sweetness and boozy heat. Semi-dry to finish, the beer's light powdery texture of ash and grain derived astringency delivers one last pang of sharpness to complement the bourbon dryness.

Although I prefer this Wild Turkey barrel aged version of Hel & Verdominis much better than the original, it still has work to do as the phenols, tannins, and ash give the beer a drier roast and chalky taste and texture that's hard to dismiss.

Enjoyed at Kulminator, Antwerp Belgium

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2012 17:45:05 | More by BEERchitect

Sean9689

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Little bottle thanks to Kristina at WLV Liquors!

A - Pours black, bubbles on top, no head, no lace, no cap.

S - Dark fruit, Wild Turkey, char, chocolate, oak. The booze is obviously there, but doesn't take over and actually compliments the rest of the beer. Dark fruits and chocolate pretty much take the rest of the nose.

T - Caramel, maple syrup, burnt sugars, booze, chocolate, light vanilla. The palate doesn't feature the dark fruity sweetness like the nose does, which I much prefer. The booze is decently smooth for 10% and doesn't hurt the beer. The finish is light char, chocolate, and oaked Wild Turkey. A sipper. Develops more char as the beer warms, which is a bit off-putting.

M - Medium, body is perhaps a bit too thin, very light carbonation (if any), creamy rich finish.

O - A nice RIS but I wouldn't go as far as saying it's World Class. The taste and nose are good (not outstanding), but the light carbonation, thin body, and char notes hurt the overall score. That said, I would drink again, no problem at all.

Serving type: bottle

05-02-2012 02:06:31 | More by Sean9689

DaPeculierDane

Wisconsin

3.33/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 3

Thank you John.

Brewed: 23 Jul 2009
Bottled: 22 Aug 2010
Consumed: 21 Apr 2012

O.G. 1105
F.G. 1027
EBC Colour 308.9

Chechz hops, Bittering hops Premianl, and Chechz Saaz
99 EBUs
To be consumed at 15 C

One of 96 bottles produced.

Dark brown but not tar or black. Completely flat.

Aroma of char and vanilla. Noticeably boozy. Chocolate powder.

Tastes like Lawrenceberg, maple syrup, liquid brown sugar, vanilla extract blended with maple syrup an sugar, and bourbon blended chocolate stout which has been diluted through boiling after being mixed 2:1 with sugar.

Mouthfeel: Sweet. Sickly sweet. It’s a good thing this bottle is so small. There is a redeeming touch of twang at the end but for the most part this is a flat, sugary, syrupy mess. It is like drinking warm syrup.

Drinkability: Nil. This beer has been in a refrigerator for two years. Perhaps that did something to it??? This is not a very enjoyable beer. BBA freaks would love it but it’s not my cup of tea. Too thick and sweet. It may have been better younger when it would have been balanced with a greater hop presence or later when its tar like state would be more respectable. Some carbonation would help. It has none.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 02:49:25 | More by DaPeculierDane

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

03-29-2012 15:44:34 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

popery

California

4.25/5  rDev +0.7%

03-08-2012 21:53:59 | More by popery

s1ckboy

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle dated February 2011. Had on Feb 2012.

A - Pour produced no head. After an aggressive swirl a bubble or two appeared. Very dark, cola colored around edges.

S - Bourbon dominates the nose. Smells great.

T - Mostly bourbon at first. Finish has hints of flavors typical of a stout, roast, dark fruits, molasses.

M - Medium. Not completely flat as the appearance would suggest. Smooth finish.

A good beer. Wish it had more carbonation. Could have waited another year to open.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2012 00:58:34 | More by s1ckboy

Ohsaycanyoubeer

Florida

4.48/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

18cl bottle #1520, shared with drowland. Pours jet black without a head. Slight bourbon aroma, sweet vanilla. Taste is roasty coffee, the bourbon comes out and burns slightly going down, even then, hides the 13% wonderfully. Very ashy. Sweet and delicious. I’m quite sure that this lives up to the top 50 hype, very, very good. A great example of the beer showing the characteristics of the Bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 01:21:39 | More by Ohsaycanyoubeer

Telestic

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

12-23-2011 06:42:48 | More by Telestic

pixieskid

France

3.35/5  rDev -20.6%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

My bottle reads 13% abv.

Well; certainly an example of how a solid beer can be hurt via barrel aging. Not sure if mine was a "bad" bottle, but it certainly doesn't stack up to others reviews.

Pour; jet black with no head whatsoever, poured this thing quite aggressively as well.
Nose; straight up whiskey with a hint of woodiness and vanilla.
Taste; pretty much the same as the nose; lots of whiskey but it's not overwhelming. Underlying roastiness with a hint of milk chocolate and vanilla.
Overall; pretty disappointing compared to the non-BA version but the abv is well hidden and it is somewhat nice in a whiskey forward way; decent overall.

Serving type: bottle

12-05-2011 17:09:34 | More by pixieskid

BeerWorld

New York

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

11-28-2011 03:00:37 | More by BeerWorld

Exiled

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +6.6%

11-25-2011 02:49:47 | More by Exiled

metalgdog

New York

5/5  rDev +18.5%

11-15-2011 01:13:48 | More by metalgdog