 FlacoAlto (2013), Tucson, Arizona, USA
Apr 25, 2008
A slightly hard pour produces an initially two-finger thick, light chocolate stained, tan colored head in my 25cl tulip glass. The beer sits in my glass a near black color with deep brown hues; when held up to the light it shows a brilliantly clear, deep ruby color. Wow, what an interesting mix of flavors. I have never gotten such a distinctive note of coconut from a barrel influenced beer before; it is really quite nice and you would swear there was actual coconut added to this brew. There is lots of other things here as well though; aromas of vanilla, light cherry, brandy soaked dried fruit, hints of clove, bourbon-soaked vanilla beans, toffee malt, light chocolate, a backdrop of toasted grain / bread crust notes. Despite being so influenced by the various barrels, this beer is quite mellow and smooth for a barrel aged beer; it is really well integrated and a true sign of the blender’s art.
Quite a bit sweeter and fuller tasting than the aroma might have suggested, but still quite in line with what I was expecting of this beer before I opened it. The barrel spirits are a touch more noticeable in the flavor than they were in the nose with the various whisky components being most noticeable, but also some fruity brandy notes towards the late middle, before some more spicy bourbon notes kick in for the lingering finish. A bit of alcohol warming is found in the finish as well. Coconut flavors play a role here as well, though not quite as distinctly as in the aroma. The coconut mixes with rich toffee flavors, distinct & rich vanilla flavors and a dark, concentrated fruitiness; this last reminds me of bourbon soaked dried fruit, the types one might use in a dense fruit-cake (though the fruit plays a soft, supporting role here).
The carbonation is not overly heavy here, but does provide a nice, persistent texture to this beer that just scrubs the tongue as it flows past, though not enough to really compete with the reasonably viscous body of this brew. Speaking of which, this beer is definitely not heavy for a beer of this strength, though it is most definitely a sipping brew. At times the finish takes on some bitter cocoa notes, though in a good way; just before this though can often be found a rich chocolate-cream character. As the beer warms up it really starts to pick us some interesting spiciness in both the aroma and flavor. It is hard for me to pick out individual components, but if I had to describe it I would say it is a mix of cinnamon, fenugreek, mace and allspice; these notes are all fairly subtle, but compliment nicely the mix of vanilla, molasses and fruit notes that are found in this beer. The sweet, light roasted chocolate notes really start to come to the forefront as the beer warms too.
A tasty beer, a bit more integrated than the 10, but only just barely. Still seems to be lacking in an intenseness, a richness and even a complexity that would be necessary to make this world class. Still it is an incredibly tasty brew, that really helps to showcase what can be accomplished with blending.
holdenn (1075), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Jul 1, 2008 22 oz bottle consumed on 5/25/08. Pours brown black with a beige ring of a head. A blend of complex malt aromas: raisins, brown sugar, yeast, bourbon, dark fruits, roasted malts, and doughy malts. Malty flavors that are really well balanced with the barrel. Roasted, charred, and dark fruit malts. Brown sugar and vanilla with dry charred malts in the finish. The notes are subtle, really well balanced, and tasty.
blankboy (2464), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jun 26, 2008 Bottle (22oz) shared with HogTownHarry, GregClow, tupalev & jerc -- courtesy of HogTownHarry. Pours a very deep ruby with a spare diminishing foamy off-white head. Aroma of oak, caramel malt, fruit, bourbon, brown sugar, maple syrup and more -- very nice! Flavour: Wow, I love it! Sweet and oaky along with caramel malt, chocolate, brown sugar, dark fruit, light hops and more -- it’s complex and hard to pin down, lots going on here. There’s alcohol there but it doesn’t deter form the enjoyment of the beer. This is a perfectly done oak-aged beer, the balance is just right in my opinion. I friggin’ love it!
madsberg (4359), Bangalore, India
Jun 25, 2008 Updated: Jun 26, 2008Bottled at Papsoes Blind tasting 19th. June 2008 no 5: Dark almost burgundy coloured. Unclear. Light brown head. Plums, chocolate, light barrel notes, vanilla, alcohol and some "old" notes in the aroma. Flavour is sweet and full of overripe fruits. Plums and prunes comes to mind. Alcohol, vanilla and alcohol notable. Very well balanced beer. Medium to full bodied. Alcohol and vanilla in the end, and very evident barrel notes. Nice.
tupalev (2261), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Jun 25, 2008 Bottle shared with Greg Clow, Hogtown Harry, Blankboy, and Jerc, courtesy of Harry. Wood, bourbon, smoke in nice aroma. Dark brown, small foamy head. Great taste - bourbon prominent, but not overwhelming, oaky sweet, well balanced. Nice long sweet linger with alcohol present. Really good.
Papsoe (9656), Frederiksberg, Denmark
Jun 23, 2008 (Bottle 65 cl) Courtesy of WeeHeavySD. Hazy amber golden with tiny impurities and a rough, off-white head. Aroma of bourbon, wood and burned caramel. Quite a rich body with roasted malt, wood, burned caramel, overripe fruit and vanilla. Has a distinct alcohol burn in the finish. 190608
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