Barrel Aged B.O.R.I.S. Oatmeal Imperial Stout
Bottle from batch 2. Opened tonight and split two ways. Poured into a snifter. Thick and viscous pitch black liquid resembling hot tar tumbles out of the bottle and into the glass. Even with an aggressive pour, the only head that appears bubbles up seconds after the pour is completed and lasts only a few blinks of an eye before it disappears. Slight legs form upon a swirl that produces a few more bubbles. The aroma is mellow and balanced. Smokey whiskey notes meld seamlessly with the base beer. A big roasty charred malt backbone and dark fruity notes (dates and currants) complement the spirit and are amplified by the vanilla oaky notes also present. The flavor brings on more of the smokey barrel character and a healthy dose of charred malt. Surprisingly, even two full summers later, there are still some sticky hoppy resins in there as well. The mouthfeel is thick, sticky, and full. A dessert/after dinner beer in its finest form, this is a sipper to the max. Awesome balance and complexity in this beer; even though the coffee notes have faded due to the time in the cellar, that same aging has allowed the flavors to mellow and blend to complement each other in a masterful way. When is this coming to Philly?