Allagash Black - Bourbon Barrel Aged - Allagash Brewing Company

Jamesthebrit

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +16.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Very dark brown with a good golden brown head.

S: Some oak, vanilla, a sweetness is also there.

T: As with the smell some oak, vanilla, a sweetness, drinks like a very bold porter. A great balance between earthy and sweet with some great hits at both.

M: Sits great with perfect carbonation and good flavor development. Alcohol cuts through over time but that takes a while.

Overall an amazing beer. With a great mouthfeel and a taste that is (to steal Armin Van Buuren's adjective) massive! No harsh notes whatsoever and the alcohol is so well hidden it's amazing. I think this is a limited release.... or maybe only on tap. Anyway that's sad because this beer is one of the best I've ever had.

Serving type: growler

08-05-2012 23:12:47 | More by Jamesthebrit

SteelerChris

California

4.78/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I am sommelier and have worked with fine wines for 10 years. I never could quite appreciate beer until after I developed my palate with wine. From my wine knowledge came my love of craft beer and intelligence to recognize the flavor profiles that are omnipresent in beer, translating to bliss on my palate. This beer to me was like sipping a '65 Margaux, only cheaper and more fun to evaluate. The bottle/label itself screams drink me and when you start to pour it you are overwhelmed with a rich, bourbon-chocolate aroma. The aroma also included a sweet cream of coconut and butter. I poured mine into a lightly chilled snifter because I wanted to evaluate the beer at different temps, and as the beer warmed the better it got. The appearance is rich chocolate brown with a steady lacing and thick toffee head. The flavor is impressive, but a little hot at first. The vanilla tones really help balance the beer on the palate, while the roasted citrus, oak, chocolate, plum, and coffee complete the journey around the tongue. Very rich and creamy, almost enough so serve over ice cream. For being as dark as it is I was expecting more body but was incredibly satisfied with its medium body and velvety smoothness that lingered delightfully for a while. Very rounded, full, and balanced beer, truly remarkable. I decided to pair this beer with a dry-aged prime rib eye, which turned out to be the right choice as the rich fatty meat complimented the deep flavors of the beer and the aged authentic balsamic I used brought out the sweetness of the brew. I highly recommend this beer and am now spoiled by yet another fantastic Allagash creation.

Serving type: bottle

06-17-2010 17:16:28 | More by SteelerChris

Brez07

Maine

4.75/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

On cask at Novare, Bourbon Barrel aged with vanilla beans. 8oz pour into an Allagash 25cl glass

A: Dark with a quickly evaporating head. Spotted lacing is left all over the place

S: There are a ton of scents here. Sweet vanilla, toasted coconut, slight hint of caramel, cocoa nibs and of course some bourbon. About halfway through the glass I detect something very similar to those buttered popcorn jellybeans

T: Exactly like the nose, minus the popcorn. Just a lovely combination of vanilla, chocolate and a slight hint of bourbon

M: Super creamy and goes down smooth. Small amount of roasted flavor in the after taste

D: This is a phenomenal beer. I wanted another glass, but I had to get going. Dangerously drinkable at 9.3%. I hope to see this again sometime in the near future

Serving type: cask

05-12-2010 23:25:46 | More by Brez07

haazer

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Resurrection Ale House for PBW.

A - Biege, tan head on top of a black brew(surprise). Bits and pieces of head left on glass but not much.

S - Suprising notes of coffee up front. But a great, great barrel presence here(like HW jr I have loved Jim Beam). Amazing vanilla and wood character from the barrel tie in with the base beers dark fruits. Great nose.

T - The dark fruit and bourbon flavor go together greatly. Dark plums and figs go into a vanilla bean bourbon flavor. The transition is flawless and seem less. The wood from the barrel is on the backend of the flavor that pushes this over the top.

M - Full bodied mouth with low to mid carbonation. Very smooth and creamy mouth. A sipper for sure.

O - Glad I had this. Allagash is on to something with bbl'ing Belgians. It definitely works, I'm sure the base beer is great but the bourbon makes this beer amazing.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2012 19:41:11 | More by haazer

tigg924

Massachusetts

4.6/5  rDev +10.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Had on tap at the New World Tavern--Plymouth

Appearance: 1/4 inch head, dark brown in color, cloudy

Smell: bourbon and dark chocolate

Taste: chewy fine chocolate with slight nuttiness and light caramel--the bourbon and oak come through on the end.

Mouthfeel: medium-high carbonation, heavy body,sweet with an alcohol rush on the end

Overall: This and Odyssey are now my two favorite Allagash beers. I love this one because the bourbon adds to the beer and does not take over until the end. The base is chewy complex chocolate--almost like fine candy..Not overly sweet but fine candy. The bourbon at the end melts in my mouth. If I can find this again, I will get it in a heartbeat. Superior beer.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2012 14:00:28 | More by tigg924

bonkers

New Jersey

4.53/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

I had this on tap at the High street grill, poured into a small goblet. The pour is jet black, white one inch head, no lacing. The beer smells like bourbon soaked dates and plums. It has sweet bourbon notes, along with dark fruit, vanilla, and oak. It has a warming, lingering finish. The body is medium, light carbonation. Bourbon black is the most drinkable big beer I have ever had. I really enjoyed it, strongly recomended.

Serving type: on-tap

12-01-2010 14:08:18 | More by bonkers

Prime16

Connecticut

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: Pours dark brown to black with a biscuit colored head that lingers.

S: Roasted malts, bourbon, chocolate.

T: Bourbon flavor with a boozy taste that is close to overwhelming the beer.

M: Full bodied with slight carbonation.

O: This is a great barrel aged beer if you like bourbon.... which I do.

Serving type: on-tap

03-31-2011 21:45:45 | More by Prime16

Jettanbass9

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Tria, 12 and Spruce.

A - A couple shades lighter than black, highlights of chestnut brown and dark mahogany. Tight knit head that could be mistaken for a nitro pour. The only reason this didn't get a 5, because the color misled me.

S - WOW! Toasted coconut, vanilla, light notes of bourbon, medium roasted coffee, again fresh coconut, resin, light notes of peppery phenols. Again, I feel like the roasted character could have been a bit more intense but nonetheless, it was present, incredible aroma.

T - Coconut, light notes of bourbon, resin, light and dark blended coffee, light peppery notes from either the alcohol or phenols. Sweetness that lingers but not cloying. Great balance, jam packed with flavor.

M - medium body, surprisingly. for a RIS this finishes fairly dry. light astringency but to be expected from the barrel aged process. great balance.

O - Highly recommended, such complexity. This has the complexity of any highly rated RIS that could be enjoyed next to a fire OR with those fantastic coconut notes, this would be excellent on a cool summer night. Allagash, it would be a favor to the beer community if you could bottle this up. Definitely on my must try again list.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2012 21:48:43 | More by Jettanbass9

dvmin98

North Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at the Liberty in Charlotte, NC.

A: very dark; almost black in color

S: hint of bourbon. Not overpowering like Barrel-Aged Blockhead

T: nice bourbon flavor, but not overly 'alcoholic'

M: a bit of a bite in the front, but smooth in the back where that bourbon flavor hits you

O: nice blend of favors and aromas. Impressed

Serving type: on-tap

10-22-2011 00:50:32 | More by dvmin98

02maxima

South Carolina

4.47/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Growler from the GBX poured in to a stemless wine glass

Dark brown with reddish hues near the edges. Very slight collar of head with some spotty bubble cover on the surface.

I smell the bourbon with hints of caramel and molasses. The caramel sticks out the most on second smell.

The sweetness I smelled comes through in the taste as well. The bourbon flavor is not strong but very noticeable. This is a great beer. It finishes with a slight taste of hops and the aftertaste is the molasses and bourbon.

Lightly carbonated creamy mouth.

I really like this beer and could drink several more. The flavor profile is awesome, a truly tasty brew.

Serving type: growler

11-30-2011 01:04:06 | More by 02maxima

codsmith

Illinois

4.45/5  rDev +7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark black with a thin off white head

Nice smooth bourbon head coming off the top. nothing is overpowering

has a really well rounded and complex flavor. Starts out with a dry chocolate and licorice flavor and ends with a bitterness of chocolate, coffee and spicy hops that all balance out to end it 4 or

Medium bodied, carbonation is a touch over, but not too bad

Very good and flavorful beer. the taste and smell collaborate nicely

Serving type: on-tap

06-22-2011 01:01:50 | More by codsmith

Gassygunslinger

Maine

4.45/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Had this on tap at Gardiner, Maine's Swine & Stein Octoberfest.

A: Not much head, but other than that it looked nice. Granted though, it was mother f'ing cold that day (an outside event), so that might have led to poor head retention. Jet black. Just how a stout should look.

S: Smells like bourbon. Not much malt in the smell, at least so far as I could tell. It lets you know that what you're drinking isn't something that's been lightly oaked for an afternoon.

T: Bam. Strong bourbon flavors, and strong stout flavors. The spice of the bourbon comes off powerful over the milder Belgian flavors. Unlike an RIS, there's not much hops, and the maltiness isn't as charred. Unfortunately, it does overpower the light pleasant wheat malt I've come to love Allagash Black for. While I wasn't disapointed with this brew by any means, I can't honestly say that I would have guessed this stuff was once Allagash Black.

M: Standard mouthfeel. Again, it was cold as hell. Not sure how good of an impression I got.

O: Fantastic bourbon stout. Totally worth the freezing cold.

Serving type: on-tap

01-25-2013 14:25:10 | More by Gassygunslinger

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

very happy to be able to try this one. one liter swingtop growler was enjoyed tremendously between me and my brother in law. served chilled and poured into a pint glass, this one was consumed on 08/20/2010.

nice dark brown and bordering on black pour but some light and brownish colors could be seen peaking out through the sides. a nice head of tan, maybe two fingers high comes up and over the top, settling down with some nice lacing.

aroma is nice bourbon right up front. vanilla, hints of oak. a nice blend of cocoa and light roasted malts underneath really coming through nicely, bourbon is not too heavy, damn near perfect actually and this carries over very well into the flavor. smooth and rich flavor, a touch lighter on the feel then i would have hoped but still nice. huge notes of vanilla and bourbon just drip off the tongue an each sip becomes more and more involved. final sweet drops are as delicious as the first with smoooth oak and vanilla easily coming though long after i was done..

overall very, very happy with this one, would love to do it again any day.

Serving type: growler

08-21-2010 17:27:52 | More by mikesgroove

glid02

Georgia

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Leon’s Full Service in Atlanta.

Pours black with a 1.5-finger tan head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of dark malts with good amounts of vanilla and oak. Also present are mild amounts of roast and tobacco backed by milder amounts of banana aromas.

Tastes very similar to how it smells. Smooth dark malts are joined quickly by hints of bananas and slight dark fruits. Joining in shortly thereafter are solid amounts of vanilla with light spicy bourbon in the background. Light tobacco comes into play near the end of the sip, fading out into a moderately bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is good. It’s got a nice thickness with smooth carbonation.

Drinkability is very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall I was impressed with this beer – the bourbon manages to integrate nicely with the existing flavor profile and doesn’t cross the threshold into overkill. Well worth a shot.

Serving type: on-tap

06-01-2011 02:18:31 | More by glid02

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.43/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured on-tap and served in a chalice, the beer is a vibrant, dark, light looking brown coloring with a steady, low flow of carbonation bubbling and a ring of white foam on the surface. Aromas are rich, with molasses, booze, toffee, and nut, with an earthy undertone. Flavors are extremely smooth and balanced, with raisin, date, and fig sweetness, bourbon and earthy backbone, and a sharp, slightly bitter tone at the end of the palate. The aftertaste is slick and rich, with molasses sweetness and slightly peppery tones, with an extra boozey kick. The finish is dry and quick, leaving a clean palate. Good and strong, this is an impressive brew.

Serving type: on-tap

02-07-2012 04:11:22 | More by GarthDanielson

brentk56

North Carolina

4.38/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Arrives with a charcoal color and a relatively small tan head that still leaves some lacing behind

Smell: Roasty chocolate elements with subtle bourbon undertones

Taste: Dark fruit and chocolate, up front, with subtle bourbon/vanilla elements developing by mid-palate; after the swallow, the flavors merge together nicely, along with a yeasty complexity from the Belgian yeast strain

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation

Drinkability: Leave it to the folks at Allagash to bourbon barrel age a Belgian stout and to do it with such a light hand as to complement rather than dominate the beer itself; a first class effort

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2011 03:29:01 | More by brentk56

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at Capones.

Poured a dark black color with a smaller sized off white/tan head. Aromas of roastiness, woody, smoke, vanilla, and a trace (if any) of bourbon. Tastes of vanilla, woody/oak, dark fruits, roasty, chocolate, the same smokiness, and vanilla. If I wasn't told this was done in a Bourbon Barrel, I would have just guessed Oak Aged.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2009 12:10:54 | More by hopdog

AltBock

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This wonderful beer was on tap during Capone's Allagash promo on 3/14/2009. They served it to me in a little 9 oz. Snifter.

The beer's color put the word black into "Allagash Black." It poured a solid coal black color with a decent 1/2 an inch head of light tan colored foam. This small head of foam had pretty good retention that only left behind a hand full of tan spots of lace.

The aroma was lightly sweet and smoky with dark candi sugar, dark chocolate, a hint of roasted coffee beans, a pinch of vanilla, a touch of roasted malts, and a subtle whiff of bourbon and oak. All the roasted flavors before the bourbon and oak did a great job not letting them get out of hand and completely take over the aroma.

The first thing that I immediately noticed in the taste was that the dark chocolate was more prominent in the Barrel Aged Black than in the regular Black. Behind the dark chocolate were all the flavors that I had just smelled. That means I got to taste dark candi sugar, roasted coffee beans, a touch of roasted malts, a pinch of vanilla, a splash of smoke, and then this roasted/sweet/lightly smoky beer finished up with a strong, but not overwhelming taste of bourbon and charred oak. In other words, it was a great well balanced barrel aged beer.

The mouthfeel was slick. Even though it was chock full of dark roasted flavors, this beer didn't show it's high ABV of 10% till after the bottom of the second glass. Barrel Aged Black is a full bodied beer with a full flavored aftertaste of dark chocolate, roasted coffee beans, roasted malts, smoke, bourbon, and oak. I originally thought that some of the alcohol would move over from the bourbon, but it didn't. All the roasted probably had something to do with that.

If you're a fan of the original Black, barrel aged beers, or just a fan of Allagash, then you need to try this beer. I was told that this was only a one time beer. That's too bad because I would certainly love another glass of this wonderful beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-15-2009 18:18:18 | More by AltBock

Jesstyr

Virginia

4.33/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Enjoyed this great beer on tap at Rustico in Arlington, VA. Was incredibly pumped to see it...

Served in a tall thin shapeless glass - not ideal for this brew - they must have run out of snifters. The glassware likely affected the head, but it was a good looking beer. Deep dark and black - just like Allagash Black, no real discernable differences in look when held side by side. Head is thin, and has a tan appearance. Nose is where the differences begin - definitive burnt bourbon nose, adds smokiness to the beer.

Taste is deep and stout-like, with a bit of alcohol burn unique to this version of the beer. Full-bodied and thick, just the way I like a beer, but again, not typical Belgian-style. Overall a great beer I'd drink any time.

Serving type: on-tap

06-08-2011 19:17:05 | More by Jesstyr

ToasterChef

Maine

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Reviewed from my notes, served in a tulip glass at the Great Lost Bear. The beer is a black liquid with a tan foam head. I can see foam and small bubbles rising within the dark liquid. There is a great layer of foam coating left behind as I drink the beer. I can distinguish some sweet malts in the aroma. There isn't much bourbon character here, it is more of an oak aroma. The taste of the beer begins with a a little sweet caramel up front. I can also taste creamy chocolate. A roasted coffee bitterness comes through in the finish. There is a little bit of the bourbon, but not much. What is there is present throughout. Based on the casked version of Curieux I have had in previously, I expected a lot more bourbon flavor--I'm slightly disappointed the bourbon isn't stronger. It has a medium body and feels creamy. There is just the right amount of foamy carbonation. This beer feels like a great example of a stout and a great example of a casked beer. For a Bourbon barrel-aged big stout, this beer is remarkably drinkable. Each sip is satisfying, but leaves me excited to have another. The 7.5% ABV is completely masked. I could easily drink a number of glasses of this beer.

Serving type: cask

07-06-2010 14:14:34 | More by ToasterChef

TheBrewo

Michigan

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This was served from the tap at The Blind Tiger in New York, NY into a stemless chalice. It arrived glowing a cola black, with lighter brown around the edges. No head was noted, and lacing was accordingly minimal, with spots here and there. Carbonation appeared lighter, and no haze or sediment was noted. The aroma gave melted butter, caramel, toffee, strong diacetyls, warmed booze, milder oak, and the distinct sweeter corniness of straight bourbon. Our first impression was that this was one of the most bourbon-laden beers we’ve ever tasted!! The flavoring opened with musky, roasted malts. These had a deep char with a light smokiness. The oak began here as well, but again, this only added to the vibe of sipping the musk and darkness from a wood cabin’s cellar. The middle peaked with sweet and smoky bourbon, edging on Islay scotch peatiness. The malts here were rich and roasty, blending beautifully with the booze. The finish was with more smoke, bourbon, hearty grain of roast and caramel, warm nuttiness, and the stark coolness of vanilla. The aftertastes breathed of big bourbon, chalky grain, more smoke, souring grain, and mineral bitters. The body was full, and the carbonation was light to medium. Dryness was left streaked down the tongue via the bourbon flavoring and big booze to the back. There was nice slurp and smack, but lesser cream and froth. The abv was appropriate, and despite the slower sipping nature of this drink, you will keep coming back for more.

Overall, what we enjoyed most about this brew was the huge bourbon through the mouth and nose. This also gave a surprising smoky quality to the flavoring, making the bourbon flavoring out of this world. Everything makes for such a warming brew, with big booze, a hearty malty background, and a totally inclusive blend. The original base beer has truly found a glorious buttery home in barrel aging.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2012 14:46:29 | More by TheBrewo

wedge

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

@ Milltown

Not really black, but rather a very dark mahogany hued body with a fat, tight head. The aroma is fairly mellow to start: light chocolate, coconut, and vanilla bean. Light on the roast and no real trace of yeast. Very smooth, well-integrated flavors like Belgian chocolate, tobacco, rich malt, and creamy vanilla. I don't go crazy for bourbon barrel aged beers in general, as frequently I find them to be over the top, eclipsing the base beer with straight whiskey booze. This was beautifully done, the bourbon being subtle and working with the dark maltiness of Black, making it superior to the original in my eyes. Medium bodied and silky smooth. Not hot or boozy at all. This was the final beer I had during a rather satisfying evening of special and/or draft-only Allagash brews, and this was the surprise winner for me. I look forward to finding it again...

Serving type: on-tap

03-28-2013 15:34:46 | More by wedge

UCLABrewN84

California

4.23/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap for Allagash night at Boneyard Bistro in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Pours an almost opaque super dark brown with a tan head that settles to a film on top of the beer. Foamy rings of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, cocoa, wood, and subtle bourbon. Taste is of dark roasted malt, cocoa powder, wood, and some mild bourbon flavors. There is a slight alcohol warmth in the back of the throat with each sip. This beer has a light level of carbonation with a crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a good barrel aged beer but it tastes better than it smells.

Serving type: on-tap

03-22-2012 05:00:19 | More by UCLABrewN84

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.23/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Had this on tap at the Brick Store Pub. Just a lovely beer, and the thing that really makes this beer is just how well integrated all of the flavors are. Beautifully silky in the mouth, the glass keeps releasing all of these wonderful notes, one after the other- chocolate, vanilla, roasted grains, fruity esters, smooth and mellow Bourbon, a touch of cream. This beer isn't about being slapped upside the head and dragged into a back alley, it's about being seduced. Each flavor seamlessly progresses to the next, and nothing is overdone. Through the artistry of the brewer, and a deft hand with barrel aging, this beer has been crafted into a unified whole that emits a siren song that keeps you coming back for another quaff. Entirely too drinkable for the abv, and altogether very pleasant.

Serving type: on-tap

07-20-2012 23:31:17 | More by Georgiabeer

rye726

Colorado

4.22/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

This is Black aged for 10 months in bourbon barrels. Pours a near black color with a thick brown head. The nose has dark roasty malts, peppery Belgian yeasts, chocolate and whiskey. The barrel aging for sure added another layer of complexity to the nose, but I'm not sure it had much of an affect on the flavor profile. The taste is however a bit more rounded. Not quite as roasty as the regular Black. The body is not as full as I expected, but still drinks well.

Serving type: on-tap

03-04-2009 18:28:46 | More by rye726