BB Dexi - Zymatore (Whisky/Pinot Noir Barrel Aged) - Birrificio Barley

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +5.2%

01-31-2013 15:19:37 | More by Thorpe429

mendvicdog

Maryland

3/5  rDev -25.7%

06-11-2013 23:53:00 | More by mendvicdog

JAHMUR

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +11.4%

12-06-2012 22:31:46 | More by JAHMUR

woosterbill

Connecticut

4.43/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Prime 16. This is the BB Dexi aged in a barrel that previously held both whisky and pinot noir, part of B. United's Zymatore project. As far as I know only one barrel of this beer has ever been, or will ever be, made. Served in a snifter.

A: Opaque, muddy dark brown body under a thin cap of tan froth. Mediocre retention, hardly any lace. Uninspiring.

S: Inspiring. Highly vinous, slightly tart, and very rich. Lots of red wine grapes, dark fruit, vanilla, chocolate, and burnt brown sugar. Not much of a whisky presence, but there's a hint of spicy booze in there that does the job. Excellent mix of barrel and beer.

T: Follows the nose - hugely complex and hugely flavorful. Lots of fruitiness, encompassing both a tart vinous element and some more candied fig/date flavors. The base barleywine comes through with some toffee and chocolate, and the oak and whisky notes lend some dryness and bite to the finish. Very well-integrated considering the disparate nature of its component flavors.

M: Full-bodied and creamy. Excellent.

O: Terrific beer, notably better than the base on its own. Some of the Zymatore experiments I've had have been rather...muddled, but this one was just delicious. Too bad it was $14 a glass or I'd have gotten another.

Cheers!

Serving type: on-tap

11-18-2012 14:02:18 | More by woosterbill