Black Diamond Brandy Barrel Grand Cru - Black Diamond Brewing Co.

ohiobeer29

Ohio

2.25/5  rDev -34.4%

02-02-2013 04:36:25 | More by ohiobeer29

bconsidine

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev +2%

05-10-2013 18:37:01 | More by bconsidine

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4/5  rDev +16.6%

03-05-2013 00:47:16 | More by marlinsfan4

kluless59

California

4/5  rDev +16.6%

02-14-2013 02:57:17 | More by kluless59

kojevergas

California

3.31/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25

1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with standard pressure cap acquired at a local bottle shop; 2011 vintage. I'm excited to try this one because I love a good Belgian dark ale and I really enjoyed Black Diamond's Jagged Edge IPA, although the beers I've had from them since have largely been disappointing. Reviewed live. Expectations are above average.

Served straight from the fridge and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

9.0% ABV according to my bottle (not 8.0% as currently listed). It's also currently listed as a dubbel, but the label clearly states "Our Belgian-style dark ale has been taken to the next level by careful blending and aging techniques." **After completing my review, it's very clear this is a Belgian dark ale and not a Dubbel; much more Chimay blue than Westvleteren 8. I'll put in an update.

A: Pours a one finger very light khaki colour head - quite thin - without much cream, and of above average retention considering the high ABV (~3 minutes). Body colour is - true to the label - a dark deep mahogany (although that diction comes off pretentious; it's a caramel-red). Barely translucent. Nontransparent. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show.

Sm: Dark fruit, oak, light subtle brandy, raisin, fermented fruit, grape/stonefruit, dark malts, and caramalt. A rather light aroma, actually, but it has some nice subtlety. Nice quite as evocative of dark fruit as I'd like in a good Belgian dark ale, but it's complex and appealing. Little yeasty character. I'm excited to try it.

T/Mf: Lovely brandy notes, stonefruit, raisin, cream, and vanilla bean up front, giving way to a dark malt body with lingering notes from that open. Fig and a bit of grape, but not as fermented or dark as I'd like. Little wood comes through; it's mainly as an underlying guiding tone in the background. The vanilla is subtle; Victory at Sea this is not. Fruity sweetness throughout is complemented by the creamy smooth feel. Still, it's coarse enough to allow the flavours to come through. It might be a bit too thick, coming off slightly vinous; I'd stop short of calling it syrupy, but it is a bit too viscous. Overall, the flavours come off strangely muted; I'm hoping this changes as it warms but I doubt it will. For all its complexity, it's shockingly timid. I search for the banana and bubblegum mentioned on the label but find none. Hopping is minimal and hop character is floral/generic. No real yeasty notes. A touch of alcohol heat, but it's hardly noticeable. All around a well balanced Belgian dark ale, but one that lacks depth of flavour and evocative quality.

Dr: Very drinkable, especially considering the 9% ABV. It's not a fantastic blow-your-socks-off Belgian dark ale, but it did surpass my modest expectations. This helps restore my faith in Black Diamond, and I'd happily try the Bourbon version of this beer; Black Diamond seems to have a firm handle on barrel aging. I wouldn't recommend it to friends, but it's a nice little Belgian dark ale for what it is, and I like the brandy barrel exprimentation.

Low B-

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 05:24:52 | More by kojevergas

BWH999

California

3.75/5  rDev +9.3%

12-12-2012 02:26:55 | More by BWH999

uziangis

Ohio

3.5/5  rDev +2%

10-10-2012 00:26:51 | More by uziangis

HerdNo1

West Virginia

3.9/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 ounce bottle into a wine glass since I'm in a hotel room and that's the only glass available.

Appearance - Pours a dark brown with a creamy white head that leaves incredible lacing that lasts.

Smell - Initial smell of dark fruits. I get figs and maybe some dark cherry. Vanilla beans have been added but I don't get that on the nose. I don't get any bourbon either.

Taste - A distinctly unpleasant metallic taste at first. I have no idea where that comes from but I tasted it with all three glasses from the bottle. For whatever reason, it faded after the first taste. Weird. Anyway, dark fruits dominate at first and then the vanilla comes through. Alcohol is nicely hidden even though this beer has a 9% a.b.v. I can't find any alcohol on the nose or the palate. Rich malt with a dryish finish and just a bit of hops but they are very much in a supporting role.

Mouthfeel - Easy, creamy, dry finish that doesn't overwhelm.

Overall - Not a great beer but not bad. I would really have liked a bit less vanilla and a bit more bourbon but perhaps that's just personal preference. Would I buy it again? Sure. Would I drive an hour for it? No.

Serving type: bottle

09-22-2012 03:23:08 | More by HerdNo1

matttttYCE

Arizona

3.2/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Pours with a murky brown color and a purple tint. The head is maybe a figer high, creamy, and off-white in color. Retention/lace is low. The aroma is decently complex.

Plenty of rich malts and dark fruits, like figs, dates, raisins, and black cherries, as well as vanilla (though a bit light) and cream at first. After that notes of sweet molasses and brown sugar, sherry and brandy, cocoa powder. Bringing up the rear are hints of bubblegum, vinous notes, and nutty hints. Not getting any of the clove, banana, and belgian yeast that the bottle mentioned.

Taste is a bit of a let down compared to the aroma. Brandy, dark fruits, malty sweetness, light vanilla (lighter than the nose) and cream, hints of cola and cocoa powder, and chocolate covered cherries, light brown sugar, hints of bubblegum, and vinous notes on the finish.

Carbonation is light-medium, consistency is thin and filmy with the touch of carbonation to help it, light-medium body, with a finish that's, again, light and a tad dry.

Overall this is an interesting beer. The best description I can give it is that it's not necessarily a beer I would seek out again, but certainly not one that I'm having any qualms about finishing and certainly not one I have any thought of drain-pouring by any means.

Serving type: bottle

08-22-2012 04:51:08 | More by matttttYCE

nmann08

Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +9.3%

07-22-2012 19:38:49 | More by nmann08

hattingc

Illinois

4/5  rDev +16.6%

07-21-2012 21:33:46 | More by hattingc

Rickythejeweler

Maryland

4/5  rDev +16.6%

07-20-2012 22:30:46 | More by Rickythejeweler

thebouch01

Pennsylvania

3.25/5  rDev -5.2%

07-08-2012 14:20:36 | More by thebouch01

dtx00

Pennsylvania

2.75/5  rDev -19.8%

07-07-2012 21:56:57 | More by dtx00

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

3.25/5  rDev -5.2%

05-13-2012 04:25:41 | More by Huhzubendah

CharlieMurphy

New York

3.73/5  rDev +8.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A: Ruby red brown with a 1/2" camel cream head that stays put.

S: Faint. Some dry cocoa powder, nuts, nutmeg, vanilla, vanilla cream.

T: Just extremely subtly smooth and refreshing. Light profile through and through. Vanilla cream, with the slightest essence of walnuts, frosted bran, maple sugar. No brandy noticeable. The back end is bouqueted up a bit with a mild lull of carbonation.

M: Very fine carbonation that tickles, gives a light whispy air, and doesn't impart anything that takes away from the flavor or sustainability of drinking.

O: I do like it a lot, but it surprisingly seems very different from the bourbon barrel version. It's much lighter in color, taste, and feel with more vanilla. I'm currious if figs and currants are used in this one as well.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2012 03:51:55 | More by CharlieMurphy

AApparel

California

4/5  rDev +16.6%

04-22-2012 21:20:35 | More by AApparel

muchloveforhops3

Oregon

4/5  rDev +16.6%

04-05-2012 08:42:01 | More by muchloveforhops3

harrisjohnson

Maryland

3.5/5  rDev +2%

03-25-2012 13:49:16 | More by harrisjohnson

mdfb79

New York

3.25/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

From 03/16/12 notes. Thanks to nimbleprop for sharing this one. 22 oz. bottle into a tulip.

a - Pours a clear amber-brown color with one inch of medium tan head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of brandy, dark fruits, sweet raisins, figs, molasses, and alcohol. Decent but a bit sweet.

t - Tastes of brandy, alcohol, sweet dark fruits and fruity malts, oak, figs, plums. Even sweeter than the nose; too sweet for me and a step down.

m - Medium body and moderate carbonation.

o - Overall a pretty average beer. Quite boozy and very very sweet. Probably not something I'd seek out again.

Serving type: bottle

03-22-2012 19:48:03 | More by mdfb79

youradhere

Arkansas

3.5/5  rDev +2%

03-20-2012 22:30:55 | More by youradhere

barleywinefiend

Washington

2.35/5  rDev -31.5%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

A: Poured a cola color with good carbonation leaving a small dirty white cap and some lacing

S: Whifss of brandy, chocolate and dark fruits

T: Well the taste followed the ose but presented a big letdown with cheap brandy, some Hersheys like chocolate, my moms bakers powder cocoa and some dark fruits, some weird phenols hittin on this with an odd finish.

M: Well carbonated but the mouthfeel was simple and poor tasting

O:Pretty much avoid

Serving type: on-tap

03-20-2012 11:46:15 | More by barleywinefiend

brotherloco

California

3.35/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3.5

22oz bomber. 2011 edition. 9% ABV. Served in a snifter.

I tried the Bourbon Barrel version last week, so I'm basing this review to that one.

Pours a deep root-beer brown with ruby-red highlights. A small yellow head forms and then dissipates fairly quickly. A spot or two of lacing.

Very similar aroma to the Bourbon Barrel version. A lot of vanilla, brown sugar, raisins, plums, some peppermint sharpness, Belgian yeast, and sweet malt.

Not surprisingly, very similar flavor to the Bourbon Barrel version. Flavor hits you with an initial fruit-soda sweetness, although maybe tempered a bit in this version. Things get tart in the middle (again, a little tempered) and the finish dries up and introduces some wood character (oak and vanilla). I'm tasting more vanilla in the finish of this version. Not sure what the Brandy in contributing, perhaps a sweet fruit note. Alcohol is really nicely hidden.

Body feels a little thin. The carbonation is relatively high and sharp. Feel is kind of harsh and burns the tongue.

Not very different from the Bourbon version, but not surprising since that's only 25% of the beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2012 03:50:52 | More by brotherloco

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.2/5  rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Thanks to Brad for sharing this bottle. Served in a SAVOR snifter.

Pours a moderately-dark brown color with a nice light tan head and a bit of lacing on the way down. The nose carries a good bit of brandy plus some dark fruits and a bit of brown sugar. Faint caramel. Flavor hits the brandy notes pretty well with some dark fruit in the background. Medium body and good carbonation. Pretty decent.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2012 01:43:45 | More by Thorpe429

RyanCoonan

California

3/5  rDev -12.5%

02-26-2012 05:42:47 | More by RyanCoonan