Cigar City Capricho Oscuro (Batch 4)

Brewed by Cigar City Brewing
Style: American Strong Ale
Tampa, Florida USA

Serve in Snifter, Trappist glass

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Sampled February 2011
A steady, solid pour produces a two-finger thick, lightly browned, dark tan colored head that is very creamy in texture and quite persistent. The beer is a concentrated brown, approaching black color and is dark enough to be opaque. The aroma smells quite vinous; like an oaky red wine really; there are aromas of berries (tart-dry cherries, blackberry notes and even some blue berry like notes), a spicy oak backbone and aromas that make me think of tannic wood. There is also a definite Brettanomyces-like signature to the nose that contributes notes of subtle ripe cheese (this reminds me of a richly funky, farmhouse cheese note that subtly influences the aroma), a musty character and a light tartness (this is also contributed by the roast grain character). The base beer (including the barrel influence) is more subtle than the unintended infection, but it still contributes to the nose with aromas of roast / burnt grain (this somehow mixes with the cheesy notes), soft toasted coconut, vanillin, spicy pepper and tobacco notes, touches of cinnamon, woody black pepper, a solid oak woodiness and a rich nutty note. I am really enjoying the nose of this beer; the wild fruitiness and funk mixes so well with the barrel character and dark beer notes. This reminds me a lot of Barrel aged Poseidon; perhaps not in the specifics, but in the balance that it achieves between the barrel, dark roasted beer and funkiness).

The beer is quite a bit sweeter than I expected (which might spell doom for these long term as they could easily become bottle grenades as the infection continues to develop); this accentuates dark cocoa flavors, spicy wood notes, ample tobacco flavors, a bright fruitiness (blueberry and even some sweet acai like notes), vanilla, dark chocolate and in the finish there is an ample, burnt grain and French roast coffee complexity. There is also a lightly tart influence in the finish that is contributed by the roast grain and perhaps something else. The ample malt and sweetness really smooths out the roast character and oak / barrel influence. The fruit notes are not as big as they were in the nose, but are still here. There are some really interesting spice notes here (it somehow reminds me of a spiced rum); notes of cinnamon, vanilla, coconut (as a spice somehow), spicy pepper and tobacco and perhaps even some young ginger like character are all noticeable. The oak backbone contributes a tannic, slightly astringent note in the finish that doesn’t really dry out the big, rich, malty sweetness, but keeps it from being overly cloying.

The flavor and aroma is so complex, so layered, though perhaps a bit too sweet, and I wasn’t expecting the “off” notes to work so well here; I really like how the nose reminds me of Barrel Aged Poseidon and the flavor is so rich that the funk doesn’t play nearly the role that it does in the nose. The barrel plays a supporting role to the rich malt by providing a spice and wood balance. Interestingly enough, I like the aroma best in this beer, despite it being the part where the infection is most noticeable. The flavor was completely different than I was expecting (in that it was so clean), but that was quite good to. Really an enjoyable beer that surprised me considering I knew it was likely a bit off going into it. Thanks for the bottle Ben, I really enjoyed it.

This poured a darker brown color with no head at all. Aroma was a lot of barrel notes, dark fruits, some light chocolate and some roasted malts. Flavor was barrel and rotting apples, in a good way with chocolate on them. A bit oxidized and sloppy but still a tasty beer.

12 ounce bottle
This was one of those beers that did not seem that great until a close inspection. Don’t be fooled by the relatively mild mannered appearance; this will treat you to a good evening. I hope I get to try some of the other blends in the future.

Aroma / Appearance - A giant surge of chocolate colored head did not inspire too much confidence until it began to settle into a deep brown base. Vanilla, blackberries, plums, and used motor oil give this a strange blend of porter and other influences.

Flavor / Palate - Coffee, plums, warm vanilla beans, and oak mix well. Completely out of the blue this immediately perks up the senses and had me wondering how long it could last. The bourbon is well balanced. The mouthfeel is dense like coating your tongue in a chocolate fountain. Overall this is a beer that is a close cousin of Port’s Older Viscosity which I also wish I had more of at the time.

Bottle. Semi-gusher. Poured a deep brown color with an averaged sized off white head. Aromas of wood, peaty, bourbon, and some wood. Tastes of chocolate, peat, vanilla, roast, and wood.

Name: Capricho Oscurto, Batch
Date: October 01, 2010
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting
Vintage: #4
Appearance: opaque dark brown
Aroma: rich bourbon and chocolate aroma
Flavor: rich chocolate flavor, caramel sweetness, vanilla candy, hint of barrel tartness, light roasted
Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 8/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 17/20
Rating: 3.9/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: ***+ /4

12oz bottle. Poured deep brown with a huge, fluffy dark tan head. The aroma picked up sweet and metallic bourbon, rye, and oak over roasty, yet softer chocolates and warm molasses.. seemed like a sweet base.. solid overall. The flavor opened with tangy oak, bourbon, and peppery alcohol, with warm, aged caramel and molasses behind.. a touch of smoky character not far after that.. finished dry with grainy barrel and residual sugars.. darker fruit at the very back. Medium-bodied with a whole lot of carbonation on the palate.. filled up the mouth a bit too fast.. other than that, everything came together well. Interesting brew.

Bottle B#4 (gold wax) from beace. Good looking pour. Big head, black in color. Aroma of fruits, malty and alcohol..... Taste is like the nose, alcohol very prominent. Sweet malty, fruity... meh... rather drink something else. Needs balance. Just to big. Medium body. Thanks to brad for the beer!

Bottled @ cgarvieuk’s Need some Cupboard Space tasting. Thanks for sharing! Black colour, tan head. Nose is sour, red wine, slight roastiness, port, spicy. Flavour is roasted malts, sour, red wine, spices, oak. A bit boozy. Slightly sour and roasty finish. Really well done.

Bottle at cgarvieuk’s tasting. Deep, deep reddish brown pour. Musty, earthy nose. Hints at sour cherry maybe. Rich and sweet palate, hints of chocolate and more tangy cherry with a really luscious mouthfeel. Lovely, rich beer.

Bottle @ Craig Garvies. Strong sweet alcohol malt aroma. Dark brown colour, not much head. Spicy cheese & ham flavour. Smooth with sweet aftertaste. Not my thing but I appreciate it is a quality beer.

In bottle. A black beer with a thin tan head. Aroma of roasty malt, coffee, chocolate and caramel with a subtle sourness. Light balsamic vinegar. Flavours of chocolate, roasted malt, caramel, musty hay and a nice long alcohol hum. Beautiful oily mouth-feel. Quite tart with port wine and oak to finish. Very complex. Superb!