Bourbon Barrel Aged Vanilla Bean Dark Lord - Three Floyds Brewing Co. & Brewpub

BeerFMAndy

Wisconsin

4.88/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

6 oz (roughly) tap pour into a clear plastic cup at Dark Lord Day 2010.

Thanks to Sweemzander for jumping in line right away and snagging a glass of this amazing beer for me!

A - The tap pour is jet black like old motor oil and looks rich and syrupy on the pour. A tiny ring of dark tan bubbles with no retention is left in the glass. Not much sexiness there save for the foreboding, thick pour!

S - The potent aroma is smooth with creamy vanilla bean and a deep roasted malt nose. A rich milk chocolate aroma lingers in the background with a small alcohol hint released upon a moderate swirl.

T - The flavor is massively vanilla heavy, reminiscent of vanilla extract. Bold roasted malts behind the vanilla offer up a seriously roasted kick and a rich milk chocolate flavor that finishes out with a low alcohol warmth. Not bitter at all. Amazingly delicious.

M - Vanilla Bean Dark Lord is as full-bodied as they come packing a smooth, rich texture that's borderline syrupy with an almost chewy finish. It coats your mouth, throat and innards.

D - This beer is surpasses the crazy hype. It's incredibly well-brewed and delicious. It's also dangerously drinkable for the percent. If I wasn't trying to savor every tiny sip I took it would probably be gone in a heartbeat. I could probably enjoy a 22 oz bottle of this too but that might be pushing it.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2010 01:32:19 | More by BeerFMAndy

myersk27

Indiana

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-17-2013 03:46:00 | More by myersk27

justforrazors

Missouri

4.94/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2013 Vintage, bottle 428/711

Split with my friend Keith who attended DLD with me this year. Served in a FFF mini-snifter. Reviewed from notes.

A- Upon pouring, a mocha head quickly appears and dies down within 30 seconds, leaving a ring of foam around the rim of the glass. The color is opaque black, thick like motor oil.

S- The first thing I can smell is a very strong bourbon barrel presence, but it is quickly joined by vanilla, coffee, and a sweet molasses like aroma. Excellent aroma, it definitely invites you to take a drink.

T- I don't think it would be possible to use any more descriptors for this beer. Black cherries, prunes, vanilla, followed by some tobacco and caramel with bourbon strong on the finish. There is a lingering sweetness that is very familiar from regular dark lord on the back end, and surprisingly little to no alcohol bite, even with the bourbon flavor being so apparent. There is no detectable hop bitterness.

M- Silky smooth, yet very thick at the same time. This is definitely a sipper, but it is very easy to drink. Low-medium carbonation is right on for the style. The flavors linger and change over the incredibly long finish, definitely over a minute later I can still taste the beer.

O- This is a very enjoyable, incredibly complex beer. I'm glad I hadn't drank anything before this, because it was such a pleasure to really get into this beer and enjoy the full range of flavors you can get from it. The bourbon is there on the nose and finish, but the vanilla really outshines it, at least in my opinion. I'm sure that will die down with time, although I think this is simply amazing as it is right now. It was an honor to drink this beer, so very glad I was able to score one this year!

Serving type: bottle

05-17-2013 03:43:21 | More by justforrazors

BigbROB

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-16-2013 17:27:35 | More by BigbROB

SchuStar

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-16-2013 16:30:58 | More by SchuStar

Benjiehorn

Illinois

4/5  rDev -15.3%

05-16-2013 14:33:45 | More by Benjiehorn

mjohnson17

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -20.6%

05-15-2013 17:53:49 | More by mjohnson17

Jeffo

Netherlands

2.58/5  rDev -45.3%
look: 3 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Thanks to a few people we were able to put together the entire vertical and almost all the BA variants. Lots of fun gents!

From a 750 into a snifter
2012 vintage
Bottle 921 of 934

APPEARANCE: Just like all the rest of them. Pours relatively clear for an imperial stout. Produces a small, one finger medium-looking head that quickly fades to a wisp and ring. Black body in the glass with some carbonation evident. Only a ring remains until the end and leaves no real lacing down the glass. A little too light a pour and an average head at best.

SMELL: Vanilla extract reminding me of those vanilla candles you buy at bath stores. Artificial and somewhat off-putting. A touch of bourbon barrel under the chemical vanilla aroma, but not much. Unfortunately this is one-dimensional and artificial, especially compared to the brandy vanilla version.

TASTE: Touches of bourbon barrel and oak peek through, but this is a one-dimensional vanilla extract bomb if there ever was one. All vanilla up front and into the swallow, then a big, vanilla dominated aftertaste with some oak and sweet caramel trying in vain to get through. Tough going and very little complexity.

PALATE: Slightly lighter than the base beer, but still big enough. Just like the other DL variants as well. Medium body with medium levels of carbonation. Creamy enough, goes down fine and finishes rather sticky on the palate. A bit of a burn and some heat lingers.

OVERALL: I can see why some people might like this. There is lots of vanilla, much like a vanilla cake or something like that. As a beer though, this is not something I'd want more than a small taste of. One dimensional, artificial and quickly tiring, this is not something I'd get too excited about drinking again. The brandy vanilla version was more natural that this one. Still, definitely a fun pair to try. Cheers gents!

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 13:17:04 | More by Jeffo

dczernic

Illinois

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-14-2013 03:09:11 | More by dczernic

VAbdoyan

California

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-13-2013 19:09:09 | More by VAbdoyan

Matagal

Brazil

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-13-2013 16:18:51 | More by Matagal

Hugonaut13

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-13-2013 01:37:41 | More by Hugonaut13

lpayette

Vermont

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-12-2013 19:47:55 | More by lpayette

vissai

California

4/5  rDev -15.3%

05-12-2013 17:00:00 | More by vissai

PhilDaBrewer

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-11-2013 14:25:41 | More by PhilDaBrewer

bigaltemple

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev -10%

05-11-2013 03:44:42 | More by bigaltemple

Mjmoser

Illinois

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-10-2013 20:42:39 | More by Mjmoser

woodchopper

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-09-2013 19:23:18 | More by woodchopper

BAstoutsNsours

Florida

4.85/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Hunaphu's Day 2013. 6oz serving. Although I'm unaware of 2011 Bourbon Vanilla DL being bottled, this was listed as such. Staff swore it was Bourbon Vanilla (not Brandy) and it was 2011 vintage. Anywho

A: Dark pitch black motor oil appearance with only a little head.

S: TONS of vanilla on the nose, very raw vanilla bean up front, small hints of cocoa, not much booze considering this is ~15%

T: Taste like a chocolate birthday cake with chocolate butter cream with vanilla bean ice cream on top. LOADS of vanilla, they did not short this thing and I've really never had a beer with so much vanilla in it. If you like your vanilla subtle or as an afterthought, this beer is not for you. Chocolate, espresso, and marshmallow are all there.

M: Thick, viscous, just a tiny bit of carb. Really coats the mouth and encourages the drinker to do so.

O: A very very good beer, this is such an in-your-face beer that it would be hard to drink more than a pour or two. That being said, its delicious and drinks like liquid cake. Like cake, there is only so much you can handle before the diabeetus settles in.

Serving type: on-tap

05-09-2013 01:12:24 | More by BAstoutsNsours

Rogorama

Indiana

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-08-2013 23:14:55 | More by Rogorama

Thirsty_Rob

California

4.5/5  rDev -4.7%

05-08-2013 07:02:57 | More by Thirsty_Rob

sdpaul

California

4.25/5  rDev -10%

05-06-2013 18:37:18 | More by sdpaul

willisar

Indiana

5/5  rDev +5.9%

05-06-2013 18:22:45 | More by willisar

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4/5  rDev -15.3%

05-05-2013 04:22:57 | More by eyeenjoybeer

Ak555667

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +0.6%

05-03-2013 13:54:31 | More by Ak555667