Bourbon Barrel Barleywine - Central Waters Brewing Company

portia99

Massachusetts

4.22/5  rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Bruery tulip, 2009 release. Bottle courtesy of nonstick - thanks again, Chris!

A - Pours a deep, dark brown with reddish highlights...almost opaque, but not quite. Short, cream colored head that recedes quickly and leaves a good, thick collar around the edge of the glass. Good looking barleywine.

S - Aromas are little on the light side, but I'm getting a combination of bourbon, molasses and caramel.

T - First impression...very nice. Plenty of bourbon character and flavor, but no hotness from it...a pleasant surprise. Tons of caramel and sugary sweetness. This blends really well with the bourbon flavor...this is very smooth. The bourbon cuts the sweetness and gives a bit of balance. Not much hop character - defninitely malt centered.

M - Medium bodied and medium carbonation. Thick enough to be satisfyin but not so much to be syrupy. No real heat from the bourbon, but I get a tingle on the lips and the roof of the mouth that I typically get with bourbon, scotch, etc. - just a reminder of its time in the barrel.

D - Quite a good barleywine...but no idea of ABV. I'm feeling it about 2/3 through the bottle so I'm guessing it is fairly high. Don't think I could have more than one of these at a time, but it is rather drinkable for what it is. The lack of bourbon heat is a plus and helps make this more drinkable than it could be. Good bourbony flavor without the heat...this is a good thing.

Overall, really enjoyed this beer. Definitely would not mind getting another one of these.

Serving type: bottle

11-15-2009 19:47:35 | More by portia99

CADMixes

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

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mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

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thegerm87

Connecticut

3.25/5  rDev -24.4%

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baybum

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -7%

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Beergelden

Pennsylvania

3.75/5  rDev -12.8%

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Ctrauty

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

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Gtreid

Florida

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-19-2013 23:41:53 | More by Gtreid

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-19-2013 15:34:21 | More by ShawnMH

jakeox

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -12.8%

05-19-2013 00:13:33 | More by jakeox

xdtfx

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7%

05-18-2013 17:28:00 | More by xdtfx

JOrtt

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-18-2013 03:32:00 | More by JOrtt

OddNotion

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-17-2013 14:27:50 | More by OddNotion

BarrelAgedBrian

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -7%

05-17-2013 04:03:30 | More by BarrelAgedBrian

Nachos4two

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-17-2013 02:55:29 | More by Nachos4two

Westuh

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-16-2013 18:37:38 | More by Westuh

Rainblows

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-16-2013 14:29:48 | More by Rainblows

Pelican5

California

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

05-16-2013 07:19:27 | More by Pelican5

Pecan

California

4/5  rDev -7%

05-16-2013 02:01:01 | More by Pecan

mvdillman

Indiana

4.75/5  rDev +10.5%

05-15-2013 18:18:52 | More by mvdillman

chrisp450

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-15-2013 02:44:47 | More by chrisp450

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-14-2013 22:04:45 | More by InspectorBob

langchops

Illinois

4.16/5  rDev -3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12 oz. Bottle poured into snifter

2013 Vintage

I was expecting more bourbon based on the reviews I've read here, but was a little disappointed by the lack of this. It's a smooth barleywine but I would not say this is a bourbon bomb by any means.

Solid barleywine, would drink this again

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 18:18:47 | More by langchops

lookrider

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +4.7%

05-14-2013 14:28:41 | More by lookrider

BUNZILLA

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -1.2%

05-14-2013 02:17:12 | More by BUNZILLA