 awaisanen (1161), Irvine, California, USA
May 14, 2007
From a 750mL Bottle. Sampled twice, first at Dr. Bill’s 2006 party, and secondly at the 2nd Annual Woodshop Tasting. Rating is a compilation and contemplation on the notes from both tastings, as well as notes from the plain Decadence tastings. Pours a transparent color of rich chestnut brown with gentle ruddy hues, topped with a thick layer of creamy beige head. Lots of bourbon and oak in the aroma, creating a nice blend of caramels, whiskey, and vanilla. Dry and rich all at the same time. A touch of gingerbread cookie and molasses add a bit more complexity, but the bourbony oaky dryness tends to dominate a bit. I recall the non-barrel-aged version to have an abundance of light complex fruits, but these seem to be a bit more hidden behind the oaky barrel character. Full bodied, well carbonated mouthfeel with a silky smooth texture. Flavors of rum, brown sugar, cinnimon spice, and caramelly malts start out enticingly on the palate, but again, the dry oaky characters of the barrel tend to crowd the delicious malt dimensions the beer is trying to offer. Finish is a bit hot, leaving me exhale a puff of an old-timer’s breath. Quite good overall, but the barrel is a bit too prominent for my tastes. The non-barrel-aged version was so good to me, I expected this one to add even more complexity to an already phenomenal beer. Instead, I found it to hide a bit of it’s character.
nqualls (422), Tennessee, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Bottle. Poured a cloudy brown with a one finger whitish head. Aroma of oak, vanilla and alcohol. Flavor is oak, bourbon with a good malt backing. Medium/full body with soft carbonation and a smooth mouthfeel.
tjthresh (1322), Greenfield, Indiana, USA
Sep 29, 2008 Bottle 215 of 280. Pours brown with no head at all. The aroma presents some toffee with all kinds of alcohol vapors. There’s so much going on in the flavor that is comes off as a muddled mess to me. Full body with just enough carbonation that I can’t say its flat. Very warm finish. Disappointing. The regular version of this beer was so good, I really wish they hadn’t made this one.
Beer_Hawk (759), Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Sep 29, 2008 Bottle 152/280 tasted side by side with the regular ’05 Decadance. Pours brown (a few shades darker than the regular) with an off-white head that settles out. Big oak aroma with vanilla, fruits, and light alcohol. I could have sat there smelling this all night. The flavor has a great mix of malts backed with oak and bourbon. Medium body, sweet throughout and very smooth. Another excellent BA from Alesmith!
MI2CA (1101), Noblesville, Indiana, USA
Sep 29, 2008 Sample at J Gumbos Aug 2008 Indy tasting - Been holding this and the regular 05 for the right tasting and this was it. Aroma is oak, bourbon, caramel, toffee and brown sugar. Not getting the dark fruit of the base brew. Flavor of smooth chewy malts followed by the bourbon and oak that just seem to fit so perfect. The balance is spot on. I’m not sure if it’s luck I cracked it when i did, but I wish I had more. Palate is creamy and smooth with the alcohol pretty much non-existent.
ross (1562), charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Sep 22, 2008 Bottle from Steve, thanks! 2005, #152 / 280. This one I have been looking forward to since Sean announced his tasting. 2005 Decadence is one of the best Alesmiths I have had, so making this one a tad more complex was right up my alley. Pours out a dark brown color without much of a head on it. Smell is full of figs, dark fruits, bourbon, oak, vanilla, and a touch of alcohol. The taste is really something to behold. Very easy to drink, thick, subtle hints of bourbon - not overpowering in the slightest. Very smooth, no hops at all. Just a fantastic beer. We did this side by side with the 2005 Decadence and I have to say that I like the original better because it has held up longer. Much more time on this one will yield a bourbon bomb. It is drinking really nice right now though. Great beer. Thanks for this one Steve.
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