Descendant - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Mystic Brewery

Descendant - Bourbon Barrel-AgedDescendant - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
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From:
Mystic Brewery
 
Massachusetts, United States
Style:
English Stout
ABV:
7%
Score:
86
Avg:
3.83 | pDev: 10.18%
Reviews:
18
Ratings:
53
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 24, 2014
Added:
Dec 11, 2011
Wants:
  11
Gots:
  8
For this special release, Gordon's Fine Wine and Liquors shared a single premium bourbon barrel with Mystic Brewery in which to age our Suffolk Dark Ale, Descendant. Descendant is a unique strong version of an Irish dry stout that is made with molasses and then fermented in a rustic tavern ale style. The bourbon characteristic from the barrel aging perfectly complements the beer's dark malts and molasses. We hope you enjoy this preview of good things to come.

Kappy's Liquors has supplied us with a Bourbon barrel for release #2 of this beer, and it is only available at Kappy's. (as of 2/25/12).
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by brewandbbq:
Photo of brewandbbq
Reviewed by brewandbbq from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle, batch #3.

Pours mostly opaque black with dark brown edgework and a two-plus inch head of tan. A thick foam cap and tattered ropes of lacing throughout the glass.

Aromatics lead off with chocolate, char, vanilla, nougat, and bourbon. Hints of dark fruit and raisins follow through.

On the fuller side of medium bodied with a somewhat lush mouthfeel. Lively but soft carbonation.

Dark chocolate, burnt apples, caramel, bourbon-soaked figs, and vanilla start the palate. Shades of oak, coffee, and charcoal follow through.

Finishes with lingering roast, bitter chocolate and light bourbon.

Interesting beer. The bourbon is very light and the beer is thinner, drier, and softer than the standard Descendant. The barrel aging has pushed this version even further away from the realm of stout.
Mar 15, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of kscaldef
Rated by kscaldef from Oregon

2.5/5  rDev -34.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Also a bit worse than average. No detectable barrel character.
Dec 24, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by vonnerbeer from Massachusetts

Oct 07, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by darcange from Massachusetts

May 31, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Massbmx from Vermont

Nov 19, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by stonermouse from Massachusetts

Nov 14, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by RuckusDu from Colorado

Nov 11, 2013
 
Rated: 3.5 by ComRock12 from Massachusetts

Aug 22, 2013
Photo of UCLABrewN84
Reviewed by UCLABrewN84 from California

3.49/5  rDev -8.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to AndrewK for sharing this one at Wowcoolman's tasting.

Batch 003.

Pours an almost opaque super dark crimson-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a partial film on top of the beer. Small dots of lace slowly drip into the remaining beer on the drink down. Smell is of malt, dark fruit, earth, char, and bourbon aromas. Taste is much the same with fruit and wood flavors on the finish. There is a mild amount of woody bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp mouthfeel. Overall, this is a pretty good beer with some solid aromas and flavors but nothing really stands out about this beer.
Aug 19, 2013
Photo of inlimbo77
Reviewed by inlimbo77 from Delaware

3.65/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
750ml, 2012 Batch 003
Tree House Brewing Co. snifter

A: Pours a dark reddish hued brown color. Almost cola like appearance in glass. Lots of carbonation. Huge pop on bottle. Two full fingers tight bubbled fluffy light tan head. Active carbonation streaming up.

S: Light toffee light notes. Almost nuttiness. Some side vanilla. More brown ale over a stout.

T: There are some good flavors here but it's almost over carbonated. Prickly. Up front you get almost brown ale like malt sweetness meshing with the vanilla from the barrel. Finish is fairly dry with some tannic notes towards the end.

M: It's on the fuller side of medium. Or full with high carbonation.
Jul 22, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by July2Nov from Virginia

Jun 26, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by doremite from Vermont

Jun 13, 2013
 
Rated: 4.25 by BradKingston from Massachusetts

May 28, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by Kelp from New Hampshire

May 15, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by shehateme from Massachusetts

Jan 31, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by AOShabaz from Massachusetts

Jan 31, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by DelicateDelirium from Massachusetts

Jan 13, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by Devi0us from California

Jan 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by jujigatame from Massachusetts

Jan 02, 2013
 
Rated: 3.25 by Patrickbrusil from Massachusetts

Dec 25, 2012
Descendant - Bourbon Barrel-Aged from Mystic Brewery
Beer rating: 86 out of 100 with 53 ratings