Black Diamond Bourbon Barrel Grand Cru

	Score
90		89
	OVERALL	Style

Brewed by Black Diamond Brewing Company
Style: Abbey Dubbel
Concord, California USA

Serve in Trappist glass

bottled
common

on tap
common

Regional Distribution

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RATINGS: 29 MEAN: 3.56/5.0 WEIGHTED AVG: 3.42 SEASONAL: Special EST. CALORIES: 270 ABV: 9%

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COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
For the winter season, we traditionally make a Belgian-style Dubbel; a rich malty pleasure that is the perfect accompaniment to those long winter nights. Last year we decided to play around with the concept and see where it might take us. After much tinkering -with a number of unique ingredients combined with wood barrel aging- we arrived at this wonderful juxtaposition of fruitiness and maltiness which harmonized magically to produce this delicious winter warmer.

The designation of "Grand Cru" originates from the Burgundy region of France. Brewers have taken the term and applied to it more elaborate, aged and reserved versions of their beers. Our Belgian-style Dubbel -a great beer itself with a loyal following- has been taken to the next level by the careful blending and aging techniques. We believe we’ve created a classic to be enjoyed throughout the winter months.

For 2010, we offer a very limited release of (only 48 barrels) our Winter Grand Cru. In this batch, we’ve added over 100 pounds each of locally sourced Zante Currants and Black Mission Figs. We aged 20% in used Bourbon barrels for 12 months - in which time the warmth of the Bourbon, along with toasted oak and vanilla flavors were released from the wood. Whole Vanilla beans compliment the wood and bring forth a velvety smoothness and richness. The fig flavor is forward on the nose along with the bubble-gum/banana ester derived during fermentation. The taste starts with the rich sweetness of fruit, carries through with a rich mellow center and finishes dry, allowing for another glass as you sit by the cozy fire. Á votre santé!

Pairings: Lamb, wild game, charcuterie, pâté, duck, rabbit, braised short ribs, cherry reductions, bread pudding.

2010 Vintage - 8%ABV.
2011 Vintage - 9%ABV.

Most Recent Top Raters Highest Score Rated By

3.5

AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20

hopdog (7043) - Lansdale, Pennsylvania, USA - MAY 23, 2012

22oz bottle. 9% version. Hazy deep amber, almost brown color with a small sized off white head. Aromas of vanilla beans, raisins / dark fruits, some wood, and caramel. Tastes of vanilla bean, some bourbon, caramel, wood/oak, and chocolate. Alcohol content hidden.

AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20

Ratman197 (5916) - Arvada, Colorado, USA - MAY 23, 2012

Bomber poured a clear reddish brown with a lasting creamy tan head. Aromas of bitter chocolate, burnt carmel, dark fruit, vanilla, light coconut, light oak and light bourbon. Palate was light to medium bodied and smooth. Flavors of dark chocolate, carmel, dark fruit, light vanilla, light oak and light bourbon with a smooth lingering fruity finish.

2.6

AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 2/5 OVERALL 10/20

BARLEYWINEO (106) - Tacoma, USA - APR 28, 2012

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

3.3

AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 13/20

nimbleprop (2224) - SouthWest, Washington, Washington DC, USA - APR 20, 2012

22oz bottle pours a transparent, copper amber with a creamy, lacing white head. Big, vanilla bean aroma, raisin, apples, brandy, dates, caramel, fresh cocoa pods. Flavor is sweet, watery bourbon, worcestershire sauce, caramel, vanilla, dried apple slices, raisins, dates. Full bodied, caramel, vanilla finish. Very one note.

3.3

AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 13/20

MrChopin (2213) - Baltimore, Maryland, USA - APR 9, 2012

tepid chestnut with thin oily cream head. Nose is date, newspaper, oxidation. Flavor is heavy chocolate liquor, light cream and coconut through finish. Thin but well balanced, like the rich dessert end.

2.3

AROMA 5/10 APPEARANCE 2/5 TASTE 4/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 9/20

GT2 (3953) - Washington DC, USA - APR 7, 2012

651mL thanks to ygtbsm94. Clear amber pour with diminishing tan head. No lace. Nose is phenolic, newspaper, oxidized. Taste is sweeter, richer. Dessert cherry. Some paper and plastic. Very strange flavors. No abbey dubbel character. ---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone

3.1

AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20

EricE (1288) - Fairfax, Virginia, USA - APR 7, 2012

Pours a hazy brown with a reddish tint. Toasted malt aroma with a bit of fruit. Sweet fruity flavor, strawberry and cherry. Bitter finish with moderate hops. Light vanilla and bourbon, though not really noticeable.

3.4

AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 5/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20

BeerSensi (60) - California, USA - APR 7, 2012

Poured fro a bottle. 2011 vintage 9 % ACL. poured brown aubum red color. Mild sweet taste of some fruits.

3.5

AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20

ADfan (274) - Orange County, California, USA - APR 6, 2012

Poured from the bottle it has a dark brown color. The taste has a mild sweetness almost like a cough syrup. There is some roasted fruits like figs and some peppermint. Good finish.

3.5

AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20

riversideAK (4560) - Shoreline, Washington, USA - MAR 19, 2012

Nose of belgian yeast, pehnolic fruitiness followed by vanilla beans, a slight bourbon notes, a little musty and odd. This smells really similar to the Imperial Porter. House yeast motherfuckers, boom. Pours brownish auburn red and shit, off whtie tannish head, good lace, all that shit, Sweet, toasted malts, fruity yeast, raisins, brown sugar, faint borubon, airy notes, a good deal of vanilla sweetness. Seems a little thin, well carbonated, smooth with the 9% abv. Interesting beer, glad to try, probs not worth 11 bucks.

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Black Diamond Bourbon Barrel Grand Cru

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