Allagash Black - Bourbon Barrel Aged - Allagash Brewing Company

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

BretSikkink

Mexico

4.08/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

On cask at the Great Lost Bear. According to their literature, this one was aged in bourbon barrels with vanilla beans. Served in a cold tulip glass with a half-finger dark brown bubbly head. This runs off quickly, but there is lacing all the way down.

Nose is lightly roasted, with hints of those vanilla beans and bourbon casks. Slightly soapy as well, lowering the score a half tick. The taste profile is great - the vanilla and bourbon mix seamlessly with the roasted malt. Some chocolate notes emanate from the roast, along with a hint of espresso. Plenty of boozy notes, along with a lighter tropical hint. The cask engine has left this one extremely smooth and creamy. Finish is so silky, and the booze barely registers in the taste. Outstanding beer.

Serving type: cask

07-04-2010 21:15:38 | More by BretSikkink

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

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

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

mactrail

California

3.53/5  rDev -15.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Darker shade of blackness in the small tulip glass. Nice foam and plenty of carbonation on the tongue. Medium body.

Warm malt with many shades of roasted malt. Some toasted nuts along with hints of charred grain. Mellow malt flavors dominate but it dries out in the aftertaste into a more austere brew. You wouldn't mistake this for a Barley Wine. The modest sweetness provides a pleasant base for some high notes of hops. Raisiny and figgy, but pleasantly balanced. A little booziness but the barrel flavors don't really dominate.

A pleasant sip of no great distinction but with an aromatic woody flavor. On tap at Tiger! Tiger! in San Diego.

Serving type: on-tap

01-06-2013 04:30:39 | More by mactrail

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.13/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On-tap 11/25/2012 at Track 84 in Warwick, RI, served in a tulip glass.

A: The beer is a deep black color, with a medium dense off-white head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, dark fruit and Belgian yeast.

T: The taste starts out with sweet flavors of chocolate, dark fruit, licorice and coffee followed by a hearty roasted malt character. The hops presence is very mild as you would expect but is complementary and provides a very good balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and very smooth, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

O: Tasty, goes down very easily, not too filling, strong kick, good representation of style, this is a very good dark beer to drink for a long time.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2012 21:37:31 | More by TheManiacalOne

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

elgiacomo

Georgia

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

32oz Growler from Beverage World. Served at around cellar temperature.

Pour black with some red highlights under light and a small light brown head that leaves some lacing and recedes to a wispy cap and ring.

Aroma features warm bourbon notes, vanilla and oak, brown sugar, dark fruits, coffee, some chocolate, roasted malts. Very good strength.

Flavor features vanilla, oak, bourbon, dark fruits, dark chocolate, coffee, Belgian yeast esters, some sweetness, minimal bitterness, alcohol is pretty well hidden.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied, good carbonation.

I like this. I’ve enjoyed the regular Allagash Black and this adds a nice layer to an already good beer. The bourbon isn’t overpowering, mixed in very nicely with the nice balance of a roasty Stout and Belgian Ale.

Serving type: growler

10-28-2012 03:53:25 | More by elgiacomo

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

First had: on tap at Prohibition Pig, Waterbury, VT

Solid black pour (at least it seemed so in the dim light) with a small tannish head; minimal retention and lacing. Aroma of dark malts, chocolate, distant hints of vanilla and bourbony wood. The bourbon element is more mellow in this beer, which is nice, otherwise flavors of dark malts, cocoa, some dark fruit and vanilla, and a bit of bready yeast and ash. On the heavier side of medium bodied, flavorful and nicely crafted.

Serving type: on-tap

10-09-2012 01:40:55 | More by Rifugium

SpeedwayJim

New York

4.08/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

8oz. pour into a Stang. Not sure why they chose to serve it this way. Reviewed from memory the same night.

Served with a 1 finger light mocha head with decent retention. Beer is opaque black but thin. Lacing is stringy with nice stick. Decent.

Nose is plum, prunes, and other fresh, dark fruit. Bourbon overtones with honey and molasses mixed in also. Some light chocolate as well. Sweet and fresh. Moderately aromatic. Nice.

Fresh dark fruit. Prunes, plum, grape, bourbon, molasses, and honey. Good fruit sweetness balanced by some chocolate notes. Booziness is apparent but not overpowering. Honey sweetness in the aftertaste. Real solid.

Miedium bodied with moderate carbonation. Perfect for the flavor. Smooth in the mouth with a slight alcohol kick going down. Clean finish with a slightly lingering aftertaste. Couldn't ask for more here.

Aging in bourbon barrels really adds a whole new dimension to this beer that puts it a decent cut above the original. Booziness is present but not overpowering... instead bringing out the robust dark fruit and chocolate flavors. Definitely worth a try.

Serving type: on-tap

08-09-2012 01:47:19 | More by SpeedwayJim

womencantsail

California

3.58/5  rDev -13.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

The pour is a very dark brown color with a creamy off-white head. Nose is heavy on the roast with light bourbon aroma (more oak than anything). Lightly peppery with a hint of fruit, mostly banana. There is just a touch of coffee. The flavor has an interesting smokiness to it, perhaps from the char of the barrel? Mild bourbon and vanilla notes, some dark fruit, pepper, and lots of roasted malts. A hint of bitter chocolate, some banana, and a bit of booze.

Serving type: on-tap

08-07-2012 04:54:19 | More by womencantsail

MasterSki

Illinois

3.88/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On-tap at Southport Lanes of all places. Served in a goblet of some sort.

A - A nice finger of tan foam settles to a solid cap as well as splotches of lace. Black body with some brown at the edges of the glass.

S - Lots of bourbon and barrel, but with fruity Belgian yeast, chocolate, molasses and caramel in the cracks.

T - The taste is quite similar, with lots of bourbon flavor followed by tangy Belgian yeast, dark bread, Belgian chocolate, candi sugar, and a touch of anise. Finish is whiskey-laden and a tad hot.

M - Slightly watery and thin, but with moderate carbonation. More 'Belgian' than American. Sticky finish, with a touch of alcohol warmth.

D - Not bad, but a bit too much bourbon and anise for my tastes. It's nice for a small pour, but gets a bit fatiguing after a while.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2012 05:01:24 | More by MasterSki

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

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

DoubleSimcoe

New York

3.55/5  rDev -14.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

**Had on tap at anotheroom tribeca and enjoyed it much more- the bourbon flavor was very much present. I'm bumping up my rating thusly**

Allagash Bourbon Black, on tap at Pony Bar in NYC, 8-oz glass.

Appearance: 2 fingers of foamy, chestnut-colored head, thick soapy bubbles. Serious retention, lacing. Auburn-amber-ebony color.

Smell: Quality booze, roastiness, camp fire. Toffee, brown butter and a touch of hops.

Taste: Disappointing, weak. Vinous qualities, demi glace-beef jus, raisins. No bourbon or booze, more like a mellow brown ale. Tad of chocolate at the end.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, great carbonation, hop profile all around the mouth. Dry sticky finish.

Overall: Not too different from regular Black. Where's the Jim Beam? Aged for a whole year, seriously? Sad. But drinks great for sure.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2012 03:55:26 | More by DoubleSimcoe

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

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

ColForbinBC

New Jersey

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On-tap, served in a tulip

A black body with no just a touch of light penetrating the edges of the glass. The head was a little over a finger and fell quickly, leaving nothing but a thin collar behind.

The aroma is of fresh oak, bourbon, vanilla, dark roasted malt, and tobacco. The bourbon/oak influence is prominent, but never overpowering. I felt the same way about the non barrel aged version. A rather tame aroma, but definitely complex.

The bourbon flavor adds a great element to the flavor. Roasted malt, caramel and toffee with a hearty dose of bourbon and oak with a touch of sweet vanilla in the finish to help balance the booze and bitter roast.

Medium feel, light and fluffy with mild carbonation. Smooth. The bourbon element is really well incorporated and adds good flavor.

This is a well crafted BA version of Black. A smooth, easy drinker with complex flavors, but they aren't overly robust. The only thing that really pops is the bourbon/oak.

Serving type: on-tap

03-14-2012 16:49:13 | More by ColForbinBC

VncentLIFE

North Carolina

4.2/5  rDev +1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

small keg at Milltown. Glad I got it before it blew.

Very small pour with a black body. Caramel head that looks like other BA beers.

Nice bourbon presence, but nothing ridiculous. Vanilla is absent (which would normall be a negative, but im not complaining).

Taste is spot on. Its got the nice roasted characteristic of black ales, but the bourbon accents it nicely. Smooth and drinkable, I would say well done Allagash.

Serving type: on-tap

03-12-2012 21:31:56 | More by VncentLIFE

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

AgentZero

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

On tap at SmallBar division.

A - An appropriately black beer with a bit of a foamy, off-white head. Left a lot of really nice sheets of stick on the sides.

S - Bourbon, coconut, vanilla, booze and some sweet malts. Smells a bit hot, but pretty inviting.

T - Tsate is quite smooth. The alcohol is a lot more subdued than the nose suggests. Chocolate, lots of coconut and vanilla, and a good dose of bourbon. Sweet without being cloying, and very smooth.

M - Moderate carbonation on a fairly full bodied beer.

O - The best thing about this beer was how easy it was to drink at 10% while still managing to have some big flavors. Very smooth, pretty nice beer.

Serving type: on-tap

03-01-2012 05:30:54 | More by AgentZero

CuriousMonk

Virginia

4/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Rusticos poured into a sampler glass. Pours black with a creamy, tan head. Dark, roasted malts make up the nose. Flavor is sweet, roasty, with notes of chocolate, brown sugar, caramel and coffee. Medium bodied with average carbonation. Finishes sweet with dark malts and mocha, but not much bourbon. Quite a quaffable beer.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2012 22:45:22 | More by CuriousMonk

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