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Randy Scorby's picture

Barrel Aged Hibernation

March, 2016
Judges Rating: 
95
Aroma: 
22 / 24
Appearance: 
6 / 6
Flavor: 
38 / 40
Mouthfeel: 
10 / 10
Overall Impression: 
19 / 20

This beer greets the drinker with a prominent and pleasant whiskey character backed up by cocoa powder, vanilla, mixed dark fruits and a spicy alcohol aroma. The whiskey fades down as it warms to create a very balanced aroma. As you’re enjoying the aroma, the beer presents a deep brown color with ruby highlights and a thick, creamy tan head that persists as long as there is beer in the glass. The flavor is rich and complex – an explosion of chocolate, vanilla, whiskey, dark fruits, spicy alcohol and a light wood character. A prominent hop bitterness kicks in mid-palate and helps to balance the residual sweetness that dries out the finish. The whiskey and barrel character lingers pleasantly into the aftertaste. This is a very tasty brew that would benefit from aging to help smooth out a few rough edges, but don’t let a winter slip by without enjoying one of these in front of a crackling fire.