Aphotic - Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Voodoo Brewing Co.

 

Bottled 11/23/2022.

The pour is pitch black. A small level of brown head swirls up momentarily, but is quick to recede back into the body of the beer.

The nose layers dry baking chocolate over barrel predominance - bourbon-soaked oak, smoke, treated leather, and a touch of fruit.

The palate brings much of the same as the nose, however with a bit more complexity. Sweeter than expected, with roasty undertones lifting that oaky aggression. Stewed dark fruits make a return, softening the overall rigid complexion of this beer. On the finish to accompany noticeable heat are appropriately sprinkled notes of firewood and smoked bourbon.

The mouthfeel rides a great line between being smooth and still retaining weight. Carbonation level is perfect. At 12.3% ABV this one is hot, but the length is fantastic and there's a hint of residual astringency that helps to cut the high levels of ethanol warmth.

 

poured from a 12oz bottle into a perennial snifter. pours an ominous pitch black with some shiny patches and a thin dark brown foam cap that quickly fades away. bourbon, oak, dark fruits, dark chocolate on the nose. taste offers more chocolate than the nose with an ample amount of bourbon heat to the finish. it’s crazy but the aphotic series doesn’t seem to have the earthy tobacco and barrel char of the black magick series. both are extremely tasty stouts and there’s way more black magicks but overall, pound for pound, i’m not so sure the aphotic series isn’t better. this one has a thick, sludgy mouthfeel. coats the mouth as much as it stains the glass. top notch bourbon barrel-aged stout.

 

The used motor oil pour builds a short but dense mocha blanket that clings in a ridge of beautiful rolling hills.

Shockingly identical to my experience with the first batch, which we enjoyed on draft two years ago, this viscous ode to black is ridiculously rich, woody, dark chocolatey, nutty and even acidic like espresso, finishing similarly chewy dry. Midpalate, it perhaps becomes a little boozier than I remember of b1, but that dissipates before the swallow. Some raisin and smoke notes emerge as it warms.

The consistency between batches years apart, likewise each aged over several years, is incredible.