-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Mothership Series #4: Panther Cub Barrel-Aged Porter
Founders Brewing Company
- From:
- Founders Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Imperial Porter
- ABV:
- 8.7%
- Score:
- 98
- Avg:
- 4.45 | pDev: 6.07%
- Reviews:
- 16
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 17, 2022
- Added:
- Apr 21, 2013
- Wants:
- 39
- Gots:
- 12
Developed after reflecting on youthful dalliances of yore, Panther Cub is a small porter aged in a combo of BLIS maple syrup bourbon barrels and regular bourbon barrels. This fierce cat has been aging in barrels for over two years with whole vanilla beans (just for fun). Tasty maple and vanilla notes plus surprisingly deep character make this rare special release one to look upon fondly.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by StoutHunter:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by ovaltine from Indiana
4.47/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.47/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Pours black with some mahogany on the edges and a tan head that provides beautiful lacing. Gorgeous beer. The nose maple up front, and I get a cocoa note and pretty substantial booze from the barrel, but it don’t get the vanilla - maybe it’s lurking in the barrel.
The maple is forward on the taste, but is joined quickly by the booze from the barrel - and the vanilla, which mixes well with the maple and the cocoa. Wow.
The mouthfeel is perfect for an imperial porter. I approached this with some trepidation because I read reviews that stated it was too sweet, but for my palate, there was an excellent balance between the flavors, and it wasn’t overly sweet. I purchased a couple of singles, but I’m gonna go back for more because this is exceptionally well done in that “hard-to-hit well” imperial porter category.
Feb 22, 2021The maple is forward on the taste, but is joined quickly by the booze from the barrel - and the vanilla, which mixes well with the maple and the cocoa. Wow.
The mouthfeel is perfect for an imperial porter. I approached this with some trepidation because I read reviews that stated it was too sweet, but for my palate, there was an excellent balance between the flavors, and it wasn’t overly sweet. I purchased a couple of singles, but I’m gonna go back for more because this is exceptionally well done in that “hard-to-hit well” imperial porter category.
Reviewed by micada from New York
4.17/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev -6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
General distribution version: Very nice. I generally don’t like porters, but this is complex. The only negative hit is a tiny bit of artificial sweetness to the vanilla flavor, but otherwise it’s a good sipper.
Edit: Mothership version consumed March 2023. Very creamy, but has lost all complexity of barrel and maple. A tiny bit if barrel comes out in the back end. Maybe after warming a bit, I’ll see if it changes.
Feb 13, 2021Edit: Mothership version consumed March 2023. Very creamy, but has lost all complexity of barrel and maple. A tiny bit if barrel comes out in the back end. Maybe after warming a bit, I’ll see if it changes.
Rated by Eyedoc27 from Illinois
4.49/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Coffee is the dominant flavor I’m getting followed by bourbon. Just a small hint of bitterness
Jul 17, 2020Reviewed by dfillius from Iowa
4.31/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.31/5 rDev -3.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Yum! Lovely vanilla notes in the aroma of this one. Barrel aging did not make this one a booze bomb thankfully, it’s very subdued and rich in flavor. Silky, chewy mouthfeel. Only gripe I have is that there wasn’t any head to speak of. Thanks warnerry!
Mar 10, 2019
Mothership Series #4: Panther Cub Barrel-Aged Porter from Founders Brewing Company
Beer rating:
98 out of
100 with
152 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!