Vanishing Point 04
Innis & Gunn

500 ml bottle stored at cellar temperature - I think maybe 4 years old - box says best before end August 2025.
Pours a clear black with a finger of bubbly brown head that dissipates fairly shortly.
I poured cold and at fridge temperature the aroma is quite nice with vanilla, chocolate, dark fruit and a bit of caramel admixed with bourbon - but as warmed some evident oxidation and hints of wet cardboard drift about - not overpowering but present.
Sweet and a little fruity on the palate - cherry, blackberry - vanilla, chocolate and caramel; a touch of oaky bourbon.
Medium mouthfeel - not sure if this is an age thing but definitely thinner than anticipated - moderate carbonation.
Tasty enough but I am not convinced age did this fella any favours.

Poured from fridge temp into a big snifter. Pours jet black with a bit of light brown head. The nose is very nice. Tons of fudge and milk chocolate. Vanilla and bourbon, along with some fluffy marshmallow and toffee. Wow. This is a fantastic nose. As it warms a bit, I'm starting to get a touch of molasses. Not a lot of dark fruit, but a slight hint of blackberries.

Taste nicely follows the nose, but there is a strong taste of roasted malts. Dark chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, marshmallow, sweet toffee, ice cream, raspberries, blackberries, figs, molasses. This is loaded with amazing flavors! Absolutely love it. There is a slight bitterness (wood) note on the back end, but this is mostly sweet from start to finish.

Mouthfeel is definitely on the thick side. Perfect, in my opinion. Overall, an absolute winner for me.

Pours with a high amount of carbonation for the style. Quite a bit of brown head that dissipates pretty quick. Carbonation stays fairly high throughout the drink
Smells great, a lot of the standard barell aged stout smells with a bit of subtle smokiness
Taste follows suit with a bit of licorice and some welcomed bitter tones
Tried one fresh and cellared a 2nd

A- This is a midnight black colored stout that is thick upon pouring, like motor oil. Of course this is much too hard to tell what the carbonation may bring, but if the head is any indication, it will be smooth. Speaking of the head, it itself is dark tan in color, velvety smooth looking and retains relatively well, starting out around two full fingers in thickness, before eventually settling down to a patchwork of thick and thin layers that scatter all around the top of the liquid. The lacing is equally impressive, with animal like shapes forming and sticking to the inside of my glass....I see a parrot, lizard, seal and dolphin to name a few!

S- Initial aromas that are of Gusto Intenso dark rum fruitcake! Further aromas that inoculate the nostrils include bourbon laced oak, dark candied fruit, vanilla, dark chocolate creme, Creme de Cacao liqueur, even some tropical notes of almost spoiled banana, burnt brown sugars, blackstrap molasses, deep dark toffee, and even some muted French press coffee & cinnamon spice. The finishing touches are lead by black and chocolate malt char, warm Bourbon alcohols and an ever so light oily hop presence. Very rich....very deep.....lovely!

T- I agree with the only other review (to date) about the flavors here.....I took my time with the aromas, allowing the beer to warm up somewhat. What I got right off the bat was a big cocoa/dark chocolate flavor, with sweet tones of vanilla to help round it out. Alongside this, there is a heavy dose of Bourbon charred wood robustness, raisined dark fruits, rumcake made with heavy molasses, burnt toffee, and a second round of ripe vanilla bean, right at the finish. I even am detecting notes of chocolate milk, yeast and rye bread dryness as this further warms, showcasing an ability to evolve and sweeten up! Superb flavors all around!

M/O- Full bodied for sure and as I was hoping based off of the looks of the head, the carbonation is in fact very smooth and wee tight with the bubbles, exploding ever so gracefully on the palate, creating a velvet like mouthfeel overall. This is 11%, I know......when first tasting this, you know it.....blame it on the alcohol itself, but as this warms and you really allow the medley of flavors to meld, evolve and sink into your taste buds, it truly relieves itself of the booziness and simply becomes a full, rich, sweet bourbon themed concoction that has a wonderful supporting cast of aromas and tastes. I&G has done it again and if anyone is able to find this still.....buy one to drink now, and buy another to rest for a year or two....I promise you will not be disappointed! Excellent beer and truly a real pleasure.

 

 

500 ml bottle served well chilled into a chalice. LCBO purchase for $14.95. Best before August 2025.

Appearance - Big ominous black beer. Small thin cap of brown on top that fizzles out in under a minute. No lacing to speak of. Maybe the color of tar. Kills the light.

Smell - Some earth and peat with subtle woody notes and some vanilla. Chocolate and dark fruit and even a hint of marmalade? is there. There's something in the nose that reminds me of Fuller's Vintage Ale. Otherwise the two beers are miles apart in aroma.

Taste - Lots of bourbon, some chocolate and definitely some vanilla mixed in. Hints of wood and fruit in the background. Bourbon in the aftertaste, it's intensity is pretty much determined by how long the beer is in your mouth before swallowing, but does build throughout. Maybe just a touch out of balance.

Mouthfeel - Low carbonation, heavy body, booze is mellowed out and entirely too easy to drink.

Overall - Smooth and decadent beer, not sure if it's the same as last year's they are similar, but thing that last year's what a bit better. It's probably also a beer for saving and revisiting in 3 years to see how it holds up. A winner and pretty delicious, but not cheap.