Darkness - Vanilla Bean & Pappy Van Winkle 15-Soaked Red Oak
Surly Brewing Co.
- From:
- Surly Brewing Co.
- Minnesota, United States
- Style:
- Imperial Pastry Stout
- ABV:
- Not listed
- Score:
- +3 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.1 | pDev: 14.15%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 2
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Sep 30, 2014
- Added:
- Jan 09, 2014
- Wants:
- 3
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
Surly took red oak chips and aged them in Pappy Van Winkle 15 year old bourbon. Then, they took the chip and threw them in Darkness along with vanilla beans.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by mothman from Minnesota
3.04/5 rDev -25.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
3.04/5 rDev -25.9%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
Was lucky enough to score a pour from this cask before it kicked within the hour or so.
Pours a fizzy tan head. Color is near black.
Flavors: Light acidic flavor. Tannin. Chocolate, raisins, brown sugar. A lot of oak present, but minimal vanilla. Not as sweet as the regular version. The bourbon isn't overly apparent either.
Mouthfeel: Much lighter bodied than the regular darkness. Lower carbonation. Fairly hot.
Overall, the mouthfeel of this beer really drops the score for me. Too thin. A lot of good flavors, but just not what I was looking for in this beer. The bourbon and vanilla flavors hardly showed. I was a bit disappointed.
Mar 18, 2014Pours a fizzy tan head. Color is near black.
Flavors: Light acidic flavor. Tannin. Chocolate, raisins, brown sugar. A lot of oak present, but minimal vanilla. Not as sweet as the regular version. The bourbon isn't overly apparent either.
Mouthfeel: Much lighter bodied than the regular darkness. Lower carbonation. Fairly hot.
Overall, the mouthfeel of this beer really drops the score for me. Too thin. A lot of good flavors, but just not what I was looking for in this beer. The bourbon and vanilla flavors hardly showed. I was a bit disappointed.
Reviewed by tpaetow from Missouri
4.9/5 rDev +19.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
4.9/5 rDev +19.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Lucked out and visited MN the week the taproom decided to open this beauty. A cask of Surly Darkness aged on vanilla beans and PVW soaked red oak.. And I thought regular Darkness was good.
Enjoyed this beauty on cask at the taproom on January 8, 2013.
Appearance: pitch black, no light penetration, 2 finger creamy, iced coffee colored head, dissipated quickly
Smell: rich roasty coffee, dark chocolate, cherries, vanilla, caramelly bourbon, oak
Taste: a lot more of the vanilla and bourbon caramel flavors up front, coffee, chocolate, and cherry coming through the middle with a nice oaky finish
Mouthfeel: thick, thick, thick, this beer has that nice motor oil consistency that I like in a good RIS, and it was a perfect warm up beer on a day when it was below zero outside
Overall: nothing more to say really, Darkness on its own is fantastic and this special-conditioned version just brings it over the top.
Cheers to the Surly team for this one!
Jan 10, 2014Enjoyed this beauty on cask at the taproom on January 8, 2013.
Appearance: pitch black, no light penetration, 2 finger creamy, iced coffee colored head, dissipated quickly
Smell: rich roasty coffee, dark chocolate, cherries, vanilla, caramelly bourbon, oak
Taste: a lot more of the vanilla and bourbon caramel flavors up front, coffee, chocolate, and cherry coming through the middle with a nice oaky finish
Mouthfeel: thick, thick, thick, this beer has that nice motor oil consistency that I like in a good RIS, and it was a perfect warm up beer on a day when it was below zero outside
Overall: nothing more to say really, Darkness on its own is fantastic and this special-conditioned version just brings it over the top.
Cheers to the Surly team for this one!
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!