Damon (Blanton's Barrel Aged) - Hill Farmstead Brewery

codysjb

Florida

4.63/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Hill Farmstead Damon.
I was the first one at the release at 9 am and got to meet all the brewers before anyone else showed up (was pretty cool). Most people in line were pretty cool too despite the fact that certain individuals felt the need to rush to the front of the line when more than 20 other people were there before them.
Bottle 280/864
Poured into my CBS glass
A: Pours a jet black with no head. Some small lacing that it retains on the top of the beer with some bubbles.
S: Bourbon, caramel, coffee all rolled into one. The Bourbon is most prevalent.
T: Lots of bourbon but not overpowering. Some notes of Carmel and chocolate linger. Overall there’s a lot of bourbon right up front and not a ton going on after that.
M: Bourbon, pretty much entirely bourbon flavor. Not as much going on as bourbon county and there’s really one flavor and not a lot of change.
O: Great beer. I think I prefer Bourbon County but it’s better than 99% of everything else I drink. Once more Hill Farmstead does and amazing beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2012 15:22:02 | More by codysjb

mmcnaughton

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

05-12-2013 19:14:39 | More by mmcnaughton

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

05-11-2013 15:20:10 | More by mikeburd1128

ehammond1

California

4.33/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle (2012)

Thanks for opening this one with me, Callemcoon!

(Aged for 1 year)

Bottle #8/864

Near black in color with a small, very dark brown head of small and moderately-sized bubbles. Leaves the glass oily and spotted on the way down. This looks moderately thick, though not quite as impressive in appearance as, say, a Speedway Stout or any stout from Cigar City. Pretty and appropriate.

Well-rounded, and balanced aroma of chocolate, mild roast character, complementary but not overpowering bourbon, and chocolate-covered cherry. What I'm calling cherry is most likely a bit of oxidation that's crept in over the last year. It all comes together quite nice, without being overpowering or overbearing.

This is unlike most big, bourbon-barrel aged stouts. This is a drinkable, well-rounded, well-executed, even delicate version of an often bold, expressive, in-your-face style. Well integrated layers of chocolate, mild bourbon, a bit of roast and oak, and again, just a tiny peek of a chocolate-covered cherry note. It all comes together quite nicely.

The hallmark of this beer, personally, is it's mouthfeel. Without being terribly thick, it's creamy, coating, and nearly full.

Excellent, and I'm very glad I had the opportunity to try it. Strangely...I prefer BCBS (fresh or aged).

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 06:48:16 | More by ehammond1

Luk13

Quebec (Canada)

4.11/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle. Pour a dark brown-black, with mocha lacing. Aroma is decadent fudge, almonds, dates and prunes. Not your usual bourbon barrel imperial stout as it isn’t overly bourbony and leans more towards dark fruits and conforting alcohol heat. Not very roasted and coffee either. some dark chocolate and a slight roastiness. Very subtle and refine. Oily mouthfeel and low carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 03:26:08 | More by Luk13

Takeanotherswing

New York

4/5  rDev -9.7%

03-06-2013 03:07:13 | More by Takeanotherswing

adamdarcy

Michigan

5/5  rDev +12.9%

02-23-2013 08:17:04 | More by adamdarcy

corby112

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Huge thanks to sideshowe for sharing. Bottle 281.

Pours a dark chestnut brown color that appears black and opaque in the glass.  Half finger dark mocha head that quickly settles into a lasting ring leaving spotty lacing behind.

Smokey, roasted malt aroma with subtle barrel integration.  Some toasted oak and subtle booziness with more of an oak and peaty scotch presence than sweet, boozy bourbon.  There a faint malt backbone with some smoke, dark chocolate, coffee bean and oatmeal but the oak and peat notes overpower things a bit.

Medium bodied with a nice smokey barrel presence that's nicely integrated into the dark malts of the base beer.  Smokey, peaty scotch flavor with toasted oak, ash, smoked meat and burnt malt along with subtle vanilla and dry oak.  This is countered by a balance of sweet and roasted dark malt flavors with hints of dark chocolate, toast, coffee bean and oatmeal.  Well balanced with a nicely integrated barrel presence, however, I'm getting more of a dry oak than bourbon flavor.  Complex with a well masked ABV that makes it easy to drink but there's something a touch off that i cant put mu finger on.  Still, an enjoyable beer that I'm glad to have tried.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 23:51:40 | More by corby112

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -9.7%

02-02-2013 23:19:49 | More by Retail1LO

HevvyMetalHippie

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

01-31-2013 21:26:17 | More by HevvyMetalHippie

popery

California

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

01-27-2013 01:59:36 | More by popery

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -9.7%

01-23-2013 19:59:02 | More by ColForbinBC

Quackus

New York

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

01-18-2013 22:46:15 | More by Quackus

brydeen

Minnesota

3.75/5  rDev -15.3%

01-18-2013 15:09:40 | More by brydeen

imperialking

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

01-17-2013 19:52:29 | More by imperialking

CheapBeerBuzz

California

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

01-14-2013 15:22:51 | More by CheapBeerBuzz

dunix

Vermont

4.25/5  rDev -4.1%

01-10-2013 21:42:10 | More by dunix

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4/5  rDev -9.7%

01-08-2013 22:50:26 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

rowingbrewer

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

01-08-2013 18:40:42 | More by rowingbrewer

bpk59

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

01-08-2013 17:32:53 | More by bpk59

BeerCosmonaut

Vermont

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

01-05-2013 04:42:17 | More by BeerCosmonaut

jeonseh

Indiana

4.6/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Batch 1 bottle poured into a GI tulip. Part of NWI new year day's tasting

A - Dark chocolate brown with a syrup body. A light mocha colored head.

S - Light nose comprised of vanilla, bourbon, and light milk chocolate

T - Tons more flavor than you'd expect in the nose. Sweet bourbon upfront with vanilla, chocolate, and maple syrup. There is a light chocolate malt in the middle. The finish is bourbony sweetness that lingers on in the finish.

MF - Silky smooth beer with barely any carbonation. Lightly astringent in the finish as well There is also a slight oak presence that lingers in the finish

O - Amazing flavor in this one which makes you want to keep on sipping it. There is a lot of bourbony presence and sweet vanilla in this one. Additionally, it has a great mouthfeel as well as it was nice and creamy. I do wish it had a bit of a better nose as it was not too fragrant. This is definitely good but I'm not sure it is worth giving up a lot to get a bottle

Serving type: bottle

01-02-2013 20:34:41 | More by jeonseh

Patrickbrusil

Massachusetts

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

12-25-2012 15:06:26 | More by Patrickbrusil

TotallyHosed

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

12-18-2012 02:00:22 | More by TotallyHosed

teddyarrowhead

Oregon

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

12-16-2012 04:55:22 | More by teddyarrowhead