4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
750 ml bottle shared with Da Montreal Crew at Fantômes and More! tasting. Dark caramel-maple color with a thick but fairly unstable white head...very delicate, subtle nose with wafts of delightful licorice and lilac, a living expressive floral bouquet with farmy qualities that are not over-the-top, merely enough to further transport you into the country...fairly sweet on the tongue with hints of cocoa, lots of peppery sourness and bitterness towards the end though honey-vanilla is met and smiled at along the way...lots of dry mineral qualities at the very finish, we descend into a dusty gravel pit, but emerge, somehow, refreshed and elated.
3.7 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
The Lure:
Grapefruit water granting complex refreshment to the red pepper liveliness. Grape juice sweetness chanting nourishment for the unassuming licorice depths. Every time I smell a new Fantôme, I tell myself beforehand: "He can’t surprise me anymore, he’s gone through all of his tricks." Every time, he makes me eat my words. Every time.
The Festivities:
A round, smooth mouthfeel of licorice and fruity malt sweetness sifts the red pepper vivaciousness. Grapey fruitiness drifts into the chalky rift of an aftertaste. Dryness betrays the opening sensuality which had lifted expectations.
Transcendence:
A museum must be erected to house all these unique creations.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
Almond murky brown hue is immediately covered by a nice off-white head, procuring good lacing. Rather hoppy nose, floral, complex and dry. Potent spice blend offer anise and herbal nuances among a sea of earthy brown sugar touched malts. Most interesting aroma, but the taste seduces further, combining the acclaimed Fantôme mineral and gently lactic character with dry spiciness, orangey, licorice-like, earthy, seedy. It reaches its own grounds through darker caramelized and nutty malts, blending in nicely. Long finish bursting with peppers and powerful yeastiness. Powdery palate, very smooth, evenly distributed carbonation, medium bodied. Mystifying stuff.
3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Brewed August 2005. 75 cl bottle. Colour somewhere between red brick and fallen autumn leaves, good haze, rich beige creamy head. Aroma of spinach and mint with yeast and spices. Malty taste with juicy background, immediately followed by strong pepper flavour and peppery-hoppy aftertaste. Thick body, lively carbonation. Tastes raw; I’ll age a second bottle - I’m curious what will come of it.
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