AleSmith Decadence 2007 Imperial Porter Barrel Aged - AleSmith Brewing Company

ehammond1

California

3.75/5  rDev -15.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Bottle (2009) (608/817)

Acquired via trade
Thanks, itk1!

(Aged for ~4 years)

Very dark brown, very nearly black, with a small to moderately-sized dark brown head of small bubbles. Leaves the glass oily and spotted with stick. Pretty barrel-aged porter.

The aroma is the weakest aspect of this beer, and I believe age has not helped matters here at all. Especially at the cold temperatures, the main attributes were strong oxidation, leather, and some root vegetable characteristics, unfortunately. That being said, as the beer warms, truly nice layers of chocolate and a very mild bourbon and oak presence emerged. Overall, especially after reading how extraordinary the aroma was apparently in other bottles, the aroma was not great and was hurt greatly by time, is my estimation.

The flavor, however, was still quite nice, and not nearly as oxidized as the aroma. Nice layers of chocolates coat the mouth, along with a mild bourbon and oak character. There's some leather and oxidation as well. Alcohol is incredibly well hidden. Enjoyable, but not other-worldly.

A very full, rich, decadent, sticky sipper. Very nice.

Glad I got to try this one, but age did this bottle no help. Drink now if you got any of these leftovers sitting around!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 20:42:37 | More by ehammond1

drummermattie02

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

04-22-2013 14:17:27 | More by drummermattie02

Azrael

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

02-08-2013 04:12:39 | More by Azrael

Gobzilla

California

4.43/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A: poured almost black in color with dark brown highlights and a thin head that left a little lacing sticking to the glass.

S: plenty of sweetness in the aroma such as caramell, toffee, and brown sugar with great bourbon barrel character that showed nice vanilla notes but also with good roastiness and some booze there as well.

T: great bourbon barrel vanilla character on the palate which added nice dimension to it alongside caramel, toffee, and brown sugar sweetness, hints of coffee, good roasted malts and plenty of booze for the age of the bottle.

M: the brew was medium in body with fair amount of carbonation which had a sweet, roasty, slightly astringent, boozy and creamy finish.

O: I'm glad to have tried the base beer allongside the BA aged version. Honestly thought both were solid but I like the robust flavors the barrel brought out so I'll go with the BA version.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 16:44:03 | More by Gobzilla

t0rin0

California

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

08-12-2012 12:29:08 | More by t0rin0

brystmar

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Opened alongside the regular '07 Decadence at a tasting last night. Thanks to RoyMunson for the trade!

Nose brings bourbon, toffee, cocoa, oak, a roasty base, and booze to my nostrils. Same notes in the taste, though there's an added layer of depth from the barrels. A kiss of sweetness midway through. A few of the other flavors in here reminded me of a Scotch Ale.

Although I enjoyed both thoroughly, this was certainly more complex than the base beer. The barrel character did wonders to the (already spectacular) base, creating a top-notch BA porter. Wish I had another bottle :(

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2012 18:45:32 | More by brystmar

whartontallboy

New York

5/5  rDev +12.9%

05-13-2012 01:10:51 | More by whartontallboy

ZX6Chris

California

5/5  rDev +12.9%

03-21-2012 16:58:21 | More by ZX6Chris

Rempo

Indiana

3/5  rDev -32.3%

11-20-2011 18:49:56 | More by Rempo

jlb502

California

5/5  rDev +12.9%

11-20-2011 04:56:03 | More by jlb502

xnicknj

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +7.2%

11-20-2011 00:32:22 | More by xnicknj

HopStoopid120

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +12.9%

11-16-2011 03:50:29 | More by HopStoopid120

ygtbsm94

Virginia

3/5  rDev -32.3%

11-15-2011 04:47:27 | More by ygtbsm94

seeswo

Ohio

4/5  rDev -9.7%

11-15-2011 02:09:08 | More by seeswo

westcoastbeerlvr

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%

11-14-2011 22:51:58 | More by westcoastbeerlvr

Chriscrundwell12

Minnesota

4.43/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle sharred with many BA's at this years Darkness Eve tasting. Thanks capra12 for sharing this beer.

A- The initial pour is a little darker than regular version, red hues come out as well, small bubbly tan head that dissipates quickly to nothing.
S- The aroma is very nice, love the vanilla and bourbon that comes out right away, roasted malts, slight coffee, slight chocolate, caramel, toffee, slight brown sugar.
T- Tastes almost identical to the aroma, perfect amount of bourbon comes out right away, sweet vanilla notes, caramel, slight roasted malts, brown sugar, really nice.
M- Medium/big mouth feel, well carbonated, smooth drinking, nice warmth as it goes down.
O- Really impressed with the Barrel Aged version, better than the original, adds a really nice layer of complexity that only improves the beer.

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2011 19:41:03 | More by Chriscrundwell12

TurdFurgison

Ohio

4.43/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Huge thanks to jampics2 for bringing this to a Tuesday night tasting in northern OH (thanks Bobby!). This pours a dark brown color with a thick cap of tan foam. The aroma is completely perfect, the barrels used by Alesmith must have the perfect amount of liquor in them before the beer is added, they all end up being so appealing. Chocolate and vanilla, roasty sweet malts, bourbon, everything you could want and expect in a BA porter.

And it all comes through in the flavor, along with toffee-like malts, this is seriously tasty. No hops presence at all, this is a bourbon-heavy malt bomb that really satisfies. A slow sipper, i didn't want my glass to empty too quickly. Luckily there were only 4 of us and we all got strong pours, I made this last.

Medium carbonation, actually a pretty good amount of carbonation for a barrel aged beer, nice mouthfeel overall. This was as good as I'd hoped, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2011 03:10:48 | More by TurdFurgison

BOLTZ7555

Arizona

4.93/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bottle 292 shared by Sparky27 @ Hellbilly’s Holiday Tasting...THANKS ERIC!!! Pure ebony pour with a 1/2 inch creamy eggshell head that diminishes into a film that defiantly stays until the last sip. Incredibly fragrant. Vanilla, oak, bourbon, cocoa, and caramel fill the nostrils. Ignites the palate...rich, chocolaty, and complex. So much going on. Maple syrup, toasted marshmallow, and brown sugar. Thick and viscous. WOW!!! AleSmith ROCKS!!!

Serving type: bottle

05-29-2011 06:05:35 | More by BOLTZ7555

Urbancaver

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a nice light brown. Fairly Clear. Very nice bubbly head that almost completely disappears quickly. Smells of bourbon and vanilla with a sweet malty background. Some light roast on the nose as well. Tastes sweet and vanilla heavy. Some light oakiness on the tongue but the vanilla comes through strongest. Malts faid as the bourbon warms. Very smooth and well balanced.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2011 15:08:28 | More by Urbancaver

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.95/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to a generous BA for bringing this bottle to DLD and to AgentZero for grabbing a tickable pour for me. Served in a SAVOR snifter.

Pour yields a nearly-black brew with a light mocha head that lasts for a bit before falling into a thin collar. The nose is pretty nice with some notes of vanilla, oak, bourbon, mildly-roasted malt, and chocolate. Pretty good complexity, but nothing out of this world. The flavor is on par with that--perhaps a bit stronger overall, though brought down by an increased alcohol presence. Good barrel character with bourbon, oak, and vanilla, though it's surprising there's still this much heat. Medium body and pretty smooth, other than the alcohol. Pretty good. Glad to finally have tried this one.

Serving type: bottle

05-10-2011 15:45:36 | More by Thorpe429

clzcyclone

District of Columbia

4.47/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I picked up two bottles of the oak-aged imperial porter after waiting in line for over an hour at the brewery. That was over two years ago, so needless to say, the suspense was intense when I decided to finally crack open a bottle.

The beer did not disappoint! I'm impressed. It was worth the wait.

A: A dark porter, not quite black, hint of auburn, espresso-like crema when poured from the bottle.

S: Bourbon. Raisins and figs. Vanilla. Honey.

T: Chocolate. Light-roast coffee. Alcoholic warmth. Tinge of anise. Oak. Bourbon.

M: Coats the tongue without being syrupy and cloying. Just right.

D: For its ABV and the oak-aging, it manages to still be quite drinkable. Quite comforting and warming on this rainy night.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2011 02:58:44 | More by clzcyclone

CrellMoset

Virginia

4.53/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Courtesy of another great midwestern trader, this one was poured in to a 22 oz. snifter. Bottle # 154/817.

Appearance: How is it that the barrel aged version of a beer could have an appearance superior to a non-barrel aged versions? Inexplicably, this one does, and it's not a minor step up - it's a huge step up. The color is similar - a smoky obsidian, opaque save for around the edges, with a nice two finger fizzy head that has superior sticking power compared with the non-bal version. But the lacing is remarkably improved, in a way that sort of makes me doubt the way I approach this sort of thing. Normally, one assumes that barrel aging thins a beer and its sticking potential and adds spirit alcohol and additional overtones and chemicals that disrupt the retention; at least, enough to overwhelm any retention positive that comes from the oak and the wood spike. Swirls and spikes and swaths of glittery bright tawny lacing decorate the sides of the snifter,

Aroma: Good, but not great. Mellow, aromatic, and solidly inviting, with a lot of good stuff going on. Toast and coconut mingle most expertly, both courtesy of obvious sources, though there's plenty of else to contribute here. Vanilla is sweet, and hints of cinnamon and oak are on equal footing with cocoa and bourbon to make for a pretty well-rounded nose.

Taste: An abundantly flavorful brew. First, let me echo everything I said about the non-barrel aged version of this beer. It's a quintessential porter, full of roast, toast, caramel, toffee, earth, cocoa, and stone fruit - from peaches and apricots to cherries and lychees, it's a fairly varied mouth. And certainly, the fact that it's an imperial porter sets it apart even further - it's a little more fruity, a little sweeter, and a little more ... well, everything than I imagine its traditional "joe plumber" porter would be. But I talked about all that in my previous review. What elevates this beer from a 4.5 to a 5.0 is the fantastic way in which the barrel aging augments, complements, amplifies, and enhances everything present in the base beer.

First of all, it's not intense. It's not over the top. And even when you sit there, hold it in your mouth, swirl it around ... it's refined, and well-blended. Perhaps part of that's the age - this beer is certainly four years old. But there's still a solid amount - and perhaps the right amount - of spice, energetic, bold, with enough counterbalance to the malt presence to make it refined, balanced, evenhanded. There's a slew of coconut and even more vanilla contributed by the barrels, but also a few wooden notes, including a very strong green oak note that actually does a decent job - at least for a while - of counteracting the bourbon presence. But the bourbon is enhanced significantly as this one warms, contributing a strong, sweet, toasty, earthy spice to the remainder of the experience. The sweetness here hits a true perfect balance, hitting that fantastically sweet sweet spot that lies right between "just right" and "just righter." Stellar.

Mouthfeel: Fat, a little sticky, slightly oily, but remarkably even, smooth, and velvety, with an excellent amount of lift. The carbonation on this lasts for quite some time, making for a creamy, toasty, bourbon-y milkshake sort of feel - thick but silky.

Drinkability: A step up. This paired marvelously with with some gouda, and I'm wishing I had some dark chocolate lying around. A beer that really exemplifies what barrel aging properly can accomplish, I enjoyed this much more than the -bal Speedway I had the other week for my 1200th review - much more balance and synergy going on here than in that beer. And the 10% - while noticeable and definitely present - wasn't too much of a hurdle to overcome. Definitely worth seeking out, though I imagine the supply has considerably dwindled at this point.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2011 19:16:44 | More by CrellMoset

scottfrie

California

4.22/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2007 vintage generously split by ipa247. You're the man Jeff! Reviewed from notes.

A: Pours black with a finger of very dark brown head that receded into a thin collar which left some wispy lacing down the glass.
S: Notes of bourbon, coco nibs and sweet malts.
T: Easy going bourbon, sweet dark fruits, raisins, dates, honey, toffee, caramel and mellow coco powder. Finish is sweet and warm and the aftertaste is full of chocolate and marshmallows.
M: Full bodied, syrupy thick mouthfeel but not oily, with light carbonation. Alcohol has just the right amount of warmth.
D: A bourbon lover's dream. Fantastic bourbon flavor yet a great barrel aged mellowness. A very fine porter.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2011 19:23:32 | More by scottfrie

bwv99f

California

4.5/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance- dark pitch black small head foam some lacing. Smell - small touch of whiskey/boozy... taste -- dark chocolate since the bitterness is pronounced... caramel?? coffee ??? chocolate toasted Malta?? a combination of everything.g makesdelivers the beer as a yummy dark delicious beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 08:57:50 | More by bwv99f

mothman

Saskatchewan (Canada)

4.58/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Jer for sharing this long time want.

Bottle 463/817

Pours 1/2 finger of tan head. Color is a caramel brown/black like the regular version.

Aroma: Coconut, vanilla, bourbon, oak, chocolate, caramel, light roast. Top notch. Bomb aroma.

Taste: Coconuts, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, light roast, creamy, bourbon, and oak. Like a mounds bar.

Mouthfeel: Thick and creamy. Full bodied with a medium amount of carbonation. Ends warm and roasted.

Overall, this was crazy awesome. The -bals did wonders to this beer. Absolutely amazing. One of the best porters I have had. Very drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 20:46:07 | More by mothman