Bourbon Barrel Aged Shipwreck Porter - Arcadia Brewing Company

CMUbrew

Michigan

4.45/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle into a Founders snifter

A: Black, just like you would expect in a porter. Brown head that is quick to recede to a ring around the glass.

S: Huge bourbon whiskey punch hits you right in the snout. Pretty much just smells like neat whiskey. It's impossible to pick up on anything else

T: Smooth and mellow bourbon whiskey meets dark roasty and toasty malts. Wood, vanilla notes, delicious caramel and barrel sweetness on the finish. Seriously tasty right here. Despite smelling like spirits, there is hardly any boozy heat to be found. Age may have done this beer a big favor because it is very easy drinking right now.

M: Medium-full body. Definetely rich and full for a porter, approaching stout levels. Creamy, smooth, slightly slick.

O: This was one incredible beer. I'm very glad I let this sit for a year because it's drinking fantastic right now. Anyone that still has bottles should really consider opening them right now. I can't see it getting much better than this.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2013 01:22:30 | More by CMUbrew

tectactoe

Michigan

3.34/5  rDev -20.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

2011 vintage. Pours a very dark brown, almost black color as it sits in the glass. A light-ish, tan colored head perches on the top of the beer at a little less than a quarter-inch, but grows significantly when the glass is swirled.

One whiff of this and there's no doubt that this baby spent quite a while inside of an old bourbon barrel. Bourbon is probably the heaviest smell up front, along with some mild oak and a soothing vanilla aroma. It's obviously malt heavy but still a little sweeter than I would have imagined. Very syrupy and molasses-like with lots of melted brown sugar around the edges. Very light oak and wood aromas join in at the tail end, but don't impeded or stick around for too long.

Much like the aroma, the taste is very bourbon heavy as well. Very, very hot at first, almost akin to the burn from taking a sip of straight-up scotch or whiskey alone. Wow, did they forget to empty the barrels when they aged this stuff? There's a huge oak and wet, musty wood flavor that pops through in spurts between the blanket of heavy booze. Light vanilla and coconut notes travel through the profile but again, they're not match for the heavy bourbon. Despite the heavy booze, the beer is still extremely sweet, almost cloyingly so, and it has a strange soy-sauce like flavor heavy in the aftertaste. Medium-heavy body, slick and oily with medium carbonation.

Eh, I was definitely let down a bit by this one. A little too sweet, way too bourbon heavy, and has some strange flavors that didn't mesh well. Maybe it's the 2011 version? I've heard later releases have toned down the bourbon quite a bit, but this one was a little too much.

Serving type: bottle

03-10-2013 21:54:52 | More by tectactoe

AndyAvalanche

Massachusetts

4.26/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

12oz. bottle poured into a Duvel Tulip style glass. The liquid looks like a standard quality porter during the pour, slightly darker than a cola brown. Once it settles in the glass it looks a little bit darker brown that gets closer to black in the deepest parts of the liquid and some nice mahogany/amber edges. Huge white to almost tan colored head with many different sized bubbles, good lacing too. Overall a really good looking beer.

All the classic aromas of a really good barrel aged porter/stout are present on this one. Plenty of hints of dark roasted malts, coffee and chocolate that's completely surrounded by nice vanilla/oak/bourbon aromas.

I initially wasn't too impressed with the flavor but it grew on me quite a bit, it gets better with every sip. Plenty of roasted malt flavors, the typical coffee and bitter chocolate flavors that is complemented by some oak and a nice vanilla aftertaste.

Mouthfeel threw me off guard initially. Much lighter in the body than I expected, by a lot. I'm not sure if that's a bad thing, it just threw me off since the style is generally very thick in the mouthfeel. Still there is a good carbonation level and not much of a bite from the 12% ABV. I was a little surprised how drinkable this is, dangerously drinkable actually. Thinking more on it, I like the direction Arcadia took here on the mouthfeel, it's good and balances everything out really well. Just a solid brew all around, wouldn't mind seeing more of this one.

Huge props to Ron for an awesome trade!

Serving type: bottle

02-27-2013 03:05:05 | More by AndyAvalanche

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

2012 vintage. Poured from a red waxed 12 oz bottle into a Pipeworks snifter.

A- pours black with a 2 finger tan head. Small blotches and big trails of lacing remain on the glass.

S- chocolate, bourbon/booze, faint vanilla

T- dark chocolate, alcohol/bourbon, slight spice and bitterness.

M- medium body and carbonation. Lighter feeling with some creaminess,

O- ok BA porter. Whatever barrels they use for this beer I get more booze than a specific distill.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 05:55:09 | More by kawilliams81

UnderJoath

Illinois

4.26/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

2011 bottle poured 01/07/13 Pours a midnight black with a thin light brown head that quickly dissipates. Even after aging quite a bit, the bourbon is the star attraction in both aroma and taste. Aroma also contains a wonderful chocolatey malt. Tastes of a heavy bourbon but tapers off nicely into smooth vanilla. It is a bit on the thinner side for a 12% abv beer but makes it very drinkable for such a big beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 20:23:12 | More by UnderJoath

divineaudio

Michigan

4.1/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz red waxed bottle into my blue mountain snifter. bottle is from 2011.

a - opaque dark brown in color with a thin cap of sudsy beige head. foam calms to a film and leaves a few small spots of lacing in the glass.

s - smells like a bottle of red wine upon opening - fruity, spicy and boozy. after that initial rush i'm getting dark chocolate, dark fruits, and tons of vanilla and wood.

t - more of the vinous qualities found in the nose. bourbon, vanilla and woody flavors are very present, but not overpowering. subtle dark fruity notes, black cherry or currants maybe. molasses like sweetness and a faint, peppery spiciness. has enough of a pale and roasted malt base to support everything. no hop bitterness to speak of but has a bit of an alcohol bite still.

m - fuller in body but not heavy. medium carbonation with a medium co2 profile. plenty of alcohol warming going on here.

o - by far the best beer i have had from arcadia. almost a year old (not including the year spent in barrels) and, while the flavors blend extremely well, this beer is still pretty hot. enjoyable and quite drinkable for 12% though. i will definitely be picking up more of this.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 01:47:15 | More by divineaudio

scruffwhor

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -6.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I've been sitting on this beer for about one year since I purchased it.

Pretty quick , khaki colored head that recedes to nothing. Motor oil black color. Looks oily in texture for sure.

Kirschwasser with coffee, dark chocolate, brandy, and blackberries make up this boozy nose.

Medium dark rasted coffee and malt flavors upfront. Caramel and black cherries with some brandy booze notes hit the middle. The abv. warmth lasts to the finish. Chocolatey and sweet, with roasted fruit flavors, make this one complex brew.

Oily and warm palate make for a great sipper and nightcap.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 04:52:39 | More by scruffwhor

oline73

Maryland

3.65/5  rDev -13.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

I've had this bottle in the cellar since last Dark Lord Day. Poured into a Hunahpu's snifter.

Appearance: The beer pours a very dark brown, almost black color. There is a very little bit of off white head that leaves a small ring around the pour.

Smell: This one smells like it is going to have some heat to it. I'm getting some bourbon and roasted malt along with a dark fruit sweetness. The warmth is rather nice.

Taste: The flavor of this one isn't as full as I would have thought given the smell. There is a very strong bourbon flavor, but the rest of the taste pales a bit in comparison. I'm getting some peppery notes from the bourbon along with a strong roasted malt presence. The finish is bitter and full of roast. Chocolate and dark fruit notes are there, but they're really overshadowed.

Mouthfeel: The body is just on the thin side of what I would have wanted for this beer. The carbonation is very thick and smooth with a dry finish. I really need more body here.

Overall: I would say that I thought this beer was a bit underwhelming. I needed a more full flavor and a thicker body. I don't think I need any more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 02:18:55 | More by oline73

wisrarebeer

Wisconsin

4.05/5  rDev -4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Brought back by Maddog!

A: poured jet black, opaque, deep rocky head that was tan in color
S: medium nose with bourbon and sweeter malt, boozy
T: this one has got some guts, deep roasted dark malt, well-balanced with hops to the right proportion (aka a bit more on the sweeter side like a Baltic Porter should be), lots of heat in finish, bourbon noticeable but not overpowering, slight oxidation in finish but it's not distracting
M: rounded, tons of bourbon depth

Serving type: bottle

11-13-2012 02:33:18 | More by wisrarebeer

ThickNStout

Georgia

2.63/5  rDev -37.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

12oz bottle from Main Street Party Store (Ann Arbor, MI). 7.49. No bottling info. Served in a Terrapin snifter.

Pours deep dark chocolate brown with wisps of mocha head.

Smells of bourbon, vanilla and cocoa.

Taste is a big boozy bourbon bomb. The bourbon pretty much dominates but some other flavors seep through. Vanilla, oaky wood, chocolate and bitter cherry skins. The alcohol is never hidden.

Medium bodied (much lighter than expected) with mild carbonation. Hot bourbon finish.

Not bad but it's not not for me. It doesn't seem to even try for balance. The base beer never quite surfaces. There are much better and well rounded barrel aged beers out there for far less money.

Serving type: bottle

10-31-2012 04:26:43 | More by ThickNStout

cfrances33

Illinois

4.08/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle thanks to gratefulbeerhead, poured into a snifter.

Pour: Very dark brown, nearly black with a finger of khaki head. Head manages to stick around and leave really nice lacing.

Smell: Really nice caramel, milk chocolate, and smooth bourbon vanilla. Not too boozy on the nose, even thought I was fully expecting it.

Taste: Smooth bourbon vanilla up front, followed by nice roasty chocolate. A light touch of coffee, but just a little. Some marshmallow as well.

Mouthfeel: Nice a full, but not as much as an imperial stout. I really appreciated how this beer maintained a splashy drinkability given is high ABV

Overall: Really nice, would definitely have again

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2012 22:39:01 | More by cfrances33

trxxpaxxs

New York

4.23/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Reviewed this blind, thanks to abraxel...

A: Pours a deep brown, pretty much black, with about one full finger of dark beige head. The foam settles in a reasonable amount of time, leaving some solid lacing as it drinks. The bubbles fade over time, leaving this beer looking very still about halfway through.

S: The nose is chocolate malt, some nice roast, and that familiar barrel aged aroma. It's sweet with notes of vanilla, caramel, and alcohol. Smells great.

T: I get a lot of that barrel right up front with the vanilla and caramel. It shifts into roast, milk chocolate, slight coffee, and a mild nuttiness. The finish is sweet and boozy, without being too overwhelming.

M: Full bodied beer. It's sweet to start, coats the palate, but moves off without being too clingy. The boozy burn lingers for a bit, but I'm liking it.

O: This is a really nice beer. The barrel treatment is overdone, as I can still get a good amount of roast and malt out of it. I'm a fan.

Serving type: bottle

10-25-2012 12:37:01 | More by trxxpaxxs

JohnnyHopps

Indiana

2.3/5  rDev -45.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

In terms of the genre of bourbon barrel aged beers, I have never had one that I hated. I do have a strong dislike for this one.

Poured into a snifter, this beer has the expected black color with low carbonation and very little head. The aroma was a grapey-like whiskey aroma. This was not a typical whiskey aroma, which should have been my first clue that something was wrong. The initial taste was the smooth yet biting sensation of alcohol. Rather than drinking beer, it felt like I had a mouth full of cheap whiskey. Amidst, the burn were hints of a bunred dark malt, vanilla, and dark fruit. These pleasant notes could not overcome the burn of the alcohol in my mouth that continued to burn in the aftertaste. There was no sense of balance to this beer. I am able to recommend several good barrel aged porter, but this would not be one of them.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 23:04:13 | More by JohnnyHopps

kevanb

Illinois

4.23/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle poured into an Eagle Rock snifter.

The beer pours a nice deep brown color, borderline black, very opaque. Hues of burgundy and tan when struck by the light, atop the beer rests about a quarter finger of foamy tan head, very tightly packed bubbles that vanishes almost immediately. A thin ring of foam remains at the rim of the glass with a very fine layer of film at the surface of the beer. The aroma is nice, hints of chocolate, oak, mild vanilla but unfortunately, astringent alcohol takes over the aroma and mutes it a lot more than I'd like. The flavors are much more prominent, great chocolate cake flavors, toffee, caramel, bourbon, oak, vanilla, so perfectly balanced, lingering alcohol pops out at the finish and does stick on the tongue, but isn't cloying. A mild amount of coffee roast comes through that pairs well with the malt and chocolate flavors, but doesn't overpower at all, subtly integrated and very enjoyable. The body is good, a bit thinner than I'd hope for a beer at 12%, it's almost milky, but not quite full enough, nice smooth body, carbonation is great, just enough warming as it goes down however, there is a bit of a drier finish than I anticipated, but not off-putting.

Verdict: Delicious porter, great barrel characteristics and nice complexity on the tongue, not overly boozy for 12% but certainly a big warm beer. Arcadia certainly hit the mark with this one, a must try for anyone who loves a porter or barrel aged beer.

Serving type: bottle

09-24-2012 01:26:07 | More by kevanb

jegross2

Illinois

4.15/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Reviewing the Bourbon Barrel-Aged Shipwrecked Porter from Arcadia Brewing Company out of Michigan.
Score: 93

December 2011 vintage bottle served in a snifter glass and enjoyed on 03/13/12.

Appearance: Pours a jet black color with a think strip of caramel colored highlight at the top of the glass. Average lacing, but amazing retention. One finger of creamy tan head at pour that settles quicker than usual. 4/5

Smell: Very smooth bourbon and raisin, milk chocolate, tiramissu, brown sugar, a little walnut and a hint of alcohol esters. The aroma is nice and complexly inviting, but a lot more subtle than most barrel-aged beers that I have experienced to date. 4.5/5

Taste: Like the nose, the taste is mellow-but-flavorful (and quite creamy). Rich milk chocolate, smooth bourbon and a super-light alcohol bite. Raisin and vanilla on the midpalate. Residual smooth bourbon flavor and bitter chocolate finish. Hint of brown sugar and a touch of oaky spice in the mix too. 4/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, low carbonation. Creamy, smooth mouthfeel. Bittersweet finish. 4.5/5

Overall: At $6 per bottle, this one is a bargain. Very nuanced with barrel-aged complexity. I will be seeking this one out again (in multiples) next year for sure.

Recommendation: An underrated beer that is worth hunting down. It is a slightly bit boozy, which leads me to believe that it is not the best starter barrel-aged craft beer for the casual beer drinker.

Pairings: Vanilla ice cream.

Cost: $5.99 for a 12 oz bottle.

Serving type: bottle

09-15-2012 17:58:57 | More by jegross2

bozodogbreath

Indiana

4.3/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

12 oz bottle poured into a Founders Brewing Company snifter. The wax dip is very difficult to remove and the bottle warms up nicely as I perform the delicate procedure. I enjoyed this while listening to Van Morrison's "A Night in San Fransisco." This is my first BA review.

Appearance: This brew has a beautiful black cherry coloring. An agressive pour produces a one finger head that dissapates quickly.

Smell: A strong bourbon and brown sugar/molasses excites the olfactory glands.

Taste: A bold bourbon profile supports a subdued and lingering sweet cherry and vanilla background.

Mouthfeel: The mouthfeel is on the thin side as compared to most bourbon barrel aged brews,(i.e. stouts/imperial stouts).It does not necessarily detract from the overall experience, but it is noticable until the strength of the 12% abv takes over.

Overall: This is one delicious brew. It is certainly bourbon forward. It is a little hot, so be forwarned if you do not enjoy bourbon forward barrel aged brews. This is a most enjoyable brew and I am glad I had the opportunity to put a few of these away.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 04:17:26 | More by bozodogbreath

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

3.95/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Delivers a big beer with rich bourbon. Aged and that added to richness. Black, thick head, fuller mouthfeel. Solid porter, and drinkable, but too big a beer to have on a regular basis. Chocolate and understated roast.A spot of wood and coffee.Worth a try.

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2012 03:43:52 | More by northyorksammy

Alieniloquium

Florida

3.95/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle poured into an Ithaca Excelsior! tulip.

Appearance - Almost black with a small khaki head. Retains well for what it has. Nice lacing also.

Smell - Bourbon and a ton of oak. Grainy corn kind of bourbon. Strong oak. Vanilla is secondary. Coffee back there too.

Taste - Much more boozy alcohol up front. Coffee stronger. Milk chocolate all over. Thin body with a coffee finish. Oaky as hell again.

Mouthfeel - Rather thin. Not as boozy in the finish, but the barrel is hot.

Overall - The porter has difficulty standing up to the barrel, but it all tastes good. I don't get how a 12% porter feels too weak for the barrel, but it does.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 00:45:29 | More by Alieniloquium

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle thanks to RyanMcFly1985. Poured into Founders snifter.

A- Pours a slightly reddish dark brown that is mostly opaque. About a half finger of creamy bubbly mocha brown head that has about average retention- doesn't recede slowly but not fast either. Recedes to pretty much no head and foamy mocha bubbles surrounding the edges. Decent carbonation. Leaves spotty lacing that clings to the glass.

S- Bourbon, molasses, cherries, brown sugar, some dark chocolate in the background and maybe a tiny bit of espresso. Everything is very well balanced, I liked how the bourbon wasn't too overpowering, the strength of the cherry smell definitely surprised me. overall above average aroma strength.

T- Bourbon, some light cherries, some light dark creamy chocolate and espresso on the finish. Taste of bourbon and some light cherries lingers.

M- Fairly thin but still maintains a fairly creamy full-bodied presence to it, abv extremely well hidden, nice carbonation, very easy to drink.

O- This was a very good BB aged beer. The bourbon wasn't too overpowering, there was a nice fruity cherry flavor that balanced well with the bourbon and light chocolate, and is very easy to drink especially at 12%. Due to it's high abv it's not something I'd want to drink all the time or a full 12oz again, but definitely a nice beer to have from time to time in small doses. I hope to enjoy this one again in the future.

Serving type: bottle

08-27-2012 01:26:06 | More by jaasen64

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev +7.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured into a snifter.

Appearance
Pours pitch black with 2 fingers of tan head. The tiniest sliver of light peaks through the edges revealing a red highlight.

Nose
Big bourbon and vanilla on the nose. Dark chocolate, French vanilla icecream and whipped cream. Excellent!

Taste
Upfront – Sweet bourbon, raisin, black cherry, milk chocolate and notes of vanilla.
Mid-palate – Fudge, fig, prune and vanilla ice cream.
Finish: Cocoa nibs, notes of coffee grounds and subtle oak.

Mouthfeel
Medium bodied, soft, smooth, sticky, creamy and warming.

Overall
Excellent BA Imperial Porter! Huge notes of chocolate, vanilla and dark fruits. Balanced bourbon and subtle hints of tart cherry. Very warming yet the booze is well hidden. :)

Serving type: bottle

08-08-2012 18:15:38 | More by justintcoons

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.03/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours an effervescent mahogany with 3 fingers of mocha head. Very good lacing & above average lacing

S: Bourbon, dark fruit, loads of cherries & figs

T: Follows the nose, big fig notes, some cherry, a touch of boozeyness. Some earthy hops, & boozey figs as this warms, the bourbon part fades, but oakyness is still fairly assertive. Finishes fruitty, woody, some what hoppy (herbal hops mostly) & dry with a nice cherry flourish

MF: Medium bodied, fairly assertive carbonation, fairly warming

A decent barrel aged porter, started stronger than it finished. Drinks a bit slow

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2012 02:16:49 | More by russpowell

superspak

Michigan

4.33/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 ounce bottle into snifter, early 2011 bottling. Pours fairly pitch black color with a small fairly dense tan head with good retention, that reduces to a very thin cap that lingers. Some light spotty lacing clings to the glass. Aromas of big chocolate, caramel, bourbon, toffee, molasses, vanilla, oak, roasted malt, light clove, and light dark fruit. Fantastic aromas with great balance and complexity. Taste of big chocolate, caramel, toffee, molasses, roasted malt, vanilla, oak, bourbon, toast, light clove, and light dark fruits. Lingering notes of chocolate, roasted malt, toffee, caramel, molasses, vanilla, oak, bourbon, and light fruit on the finish for a while. Fantastic flavor balance and complexity; with a great barrel character without being overpowering. Light-medium carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a nice creamy, slick, and slightly oily mouthfeel. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a small warming noticed after the finish. Overall this is an outstanding barrel aged porter! Great balance of the barrel characteristics; with good complexity and smooth sipping. Awesome stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 03:59:42 | More by superspak

largadeer

California

4/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks, Eric!

Appearance: Pours a dark but clear brown. A finger of light tan head forms and then quickly recedes to a thin collar.

Smell: Straight fucking bourbon. It isn't boozy, surprisingly enough, but the barrel is overwhelming. I let it warm up a bit expecting more porter to come through more, and eventually I detect a hint of chocolate and roasted malt, but it remains ridiculously barrel forward. Still, it's enjoyable if you like a lot of bourbon character in your -bal aged beer (as I do).

Taste & mouthfeel: Bourbon, caramel, chocolate, bourbon, whiskey, oak. Did they just pour a shot of bourbon into each bottle? It's one-dimensional but enjoyable. The body is medium-full and there's a touch of dark fruit in the finish.

Overall: Bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

07-02-2012 05:18:41 | More by largadeer

BostonHops

Massachusetts

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

12oz (red wax sealed) bottle served in a snifter.

pours a dark cola brown - slightly lighter than a stout - sits a deep mahogany / borderline black tone. fairly aggressive pour yielding a short-lived 1/4" tan yeah. in the nose i'm greeted first by a punch of bourbon which practically leaps out of the glass. other notes of chocolate, some roasted malt, vanilla, and even a little dark fruit.

taste opens with sweet milk chocolate coupled with the bourbon and a little vanilla, followed by secondary notes of dark fruit and roasted malt. a bit boozy, particularly in the finish, but otherwise very tasty. medium-full bodied mouthfeel with average carbonation.

overall, boy does that bourbon barrel work wonders with beer. awesome brew. wouldn't put it up with the creme de la creme of BB ales, but would nurse one on a biting winter night anytime. or simply anytime.

(originally reviewed: 02-05-2012)

Serving type: bottle

06-23-2012 04:27:04 | More by BostonHops

harrymel

Washington

4.35/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Time to give this a try.

Pours a coffee black with a broken sheet of light tan foam. Nose is strong, smelled it from a couple feet away - lovely. vanilla, caramel, honey, bourbon, hints of mineral and amaretto. Really would place the nose here on par with some of the best out there. Flavor is sweet and carries much of the character from the nose: vanilla, caramel and amaretto. Plenty of roasted malts in the flavor along a hint of cocoa. Carb is about right with moderately subdued, but the body is thin for the beer. Really a nice beer, and I'm glad I've tried it. I would love to drink more of it if it was around. Really a diamond.

Serving type: bottle

06-19-2012 15:43:27 | More by harrymel