Older Viscosity
I had been looking forward to this beer for months, but was waiting for a special occasion to open one. Tonight, a slow Saturday seemed like such an occasion. This pours a very deep black, with no light passing through, and with a small amount of tan head that disappears rather quick. There is a lot going on in the nose of it, but first and formost is the bourbon. Vanilla also plays a prominent role. There are some dark fruits in there, and a tiny hint of anise as well. The first taste is huge. This just has a ton of flavor to it. The bourbon continues to dominate, but it is never overpowering and comes off extremely smooth. Vanilla and a distinct roastiness balance it rather nicely. There is a very slight underlying fruity sweetness to it, and I'm really not detecting hops much at all. The alcohol, at 12%, is quite apparent, and I think it is drinking a bit hot and would likely get even better with a few years on it. The mouthfeel is quite heavy, with the carbonation not overbearing, but still pleasant. Overall, it's an excellent beer for a special occasion, and I think it will only get better with age.