 ChainGangGuy (1511), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
May 23, 2008
2006 bottle. Bourbon version.
Appearance: Pours a vaguely clearish, dark reddish-brown body with a small, off-white head.
Smell: Man, it’s like cramming your damn face into a vat of dark fruit syrup. Dark malts with a strong bourbon barrel influence, heavy on the vanilla.
Taste: Dark maltiness displaying a blend of molasses and chocolate. Heavy on the dark fruits, vanilla, and brown sugar. Tons of sweetness from the word "go". Some slight alcohol warmth. Bourbon-soaked, fruity finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium-carbonation. Luscious, sticky mouthfeel.
Drinkability: You’d have to be a complete yutz not to love this one.
jarspag (503), San Diego, California, USA
Aug 7, 2008 2006 vintage w/ Justin on 7/18 tasting. Seeing at how few ratings - I’m pretty stoked we got to try this...probably should have taken it a bit more seriously. This was all-around solid...wrapping up a mellow bourbony, malty nose with a chunk of cherry, bourbon, raisin, oak ridden flavor. Fairly simple, but so so so rich and awesome. Almost unbelievable this was 11% - it was that drinkable. Excuse me while a lick my gums... to my bro up in Eagle River, thanks!!!
hapjydeuce (558), Carlsbad, California, USA
Jul 28, 2008 2006 Bottle, generously shared by jarspag for the 7/18 D-Metal Tasting at his place in OC. This was a real treat, and another great brew among other epic beers sampled that evening. Pours a deep, deep transparent burgundy. Huge spotty lacing and a modest beige film settle on the surface. This beer has a beautiful red hue. Very nice oak presence in the nose, with plenty of raisin, plum, vanilla extract and a touch of banana. The flavor is like a strong dubbel, sweet and malty with dark fruits and chocolate. Simple, but extremely tasty and drinkable. Finishes sweet with lasting notes of whiskey barrel and berries. Very good. Yum!
brewandbbq (201), Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
Jul 15, 2008 As originally reviewed on 12/23/2006:
Vintage 2006, aged for seven months in oak bourbon barrels this time around. 11% ABV this year and kicks ass.
Pours dark brown, almost black, mostly opaque with mahogany edging. A tan, fairly dense head rises without much encouragement, and recedes to a skim coat within two minutes.
Scattered dots of lacework remain after the initial sips.
Aromatics lead off with caramel and chocolate with bourbony wood.
Some light phenols wink belgian, but the main stage is set by these three components.
Rummy raisins with hints of vanilla and hazelnut accent the barell aging profile, and the bourbon is complementary, not overbearing.
Mildly vineous without being overly boozy.
Mouthfeel is creamy and slickish, slightly tacky and lingering.
Pallet is rich and smooth. 11%? Hard to believe.
Cocoa nubs steeped in dark rum, raisins, figs, and oaky bourbon.
The wood character is subdued, not tannic, and a testament to the art of blending.
Finishes increasingly warming, in a sneeky kind of way, with lingering caramel, chocolate, and rum notes.
Each exhale reminds one of the bourbon.
Extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to try this treasure thanks to my northern friend Tim.
fordest (1684), Santee/San Diego, California, USA
Jun 28, 2008 22 oz bottle shared at the Alesmith BA Release Line tasting. Aromas of wood and caramel. Hints of vanilla and roasted malts. Flavor was sweeter with candy and chocolate and sweet malty flavors. Not so much alcohol that I would have guessed 11%. Pretty darn tasty...
badlizard (1430), San Diego, California, USA
Jun 13, 2008 bottle courtesy of Chris. Dark brown with a fizzy head. Oak, alcohol, caramel, and bourbon aroma and taste with a smooth velvety mouth feel. Quite good.
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