The Colonel's Porter (Cask Primed With English Treacle)
Cambridge Brewing Company

How could you not want to try this brew with a name like that? I've had the regular Colonel's porter (is it possible I forgot to take notes, or is it buried in my notebook?), and lucky me happened to be at the bar when this one was just put on. Big and black, 1 inch tan milk shake style head. I start sampling the foam, and it comes across as pretty amped up, aka the promise of alcohol is not far behind. Aroma wise, this was one of the most potent I've had the pleasure to enjoy: Mostly Bourbon, cocoa (lets make it Dutch 20/22%) and Vanilla. My notes say: Guns blazing the nose with spice. It was pretty intense, and intoxicating. Tastewise, pretty full bodied, some metallic notes, some rough edges I believe inherent in the style, the bourbon and amped up alcohol due to the treacle pretty aparent. This beer was one sensory experience, but personally one is enough (as it probably should be) for me.

Arrives dressed in classic black with a milk chocolate head. This already looks like serious stuff!

Sweet caramel and whiskey aroma.

The tender creamy mouthfeel unfolds an incredible tangle of flavors:
complex long caramel looped around chocolate covered brandied cherries, with a hint of hazelnut wafting by. More black cherries in the finish. Then slowly, slowly, whiskey wineyness and finally a bit of resin. And there's smoke in there, too.

Alcohol hidden well, but my body is not fooled; a few sips has my head spinning. I'd like to try this again, but maybe a small glass. With dessert. Hmmm.

Had on Cask Tuesday @ Cambridge Brewing Company. The Colonel's Porter (Baltic Porter) aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon Barrels, and then primed with English treacle and cask-conditioned.

The pint actually look intimidating. PaulB said it's not a beer to start with, as he found out. And Longstaff said he felt like someone punched him in the head 10 times. Okay ... bring it.

The pour came to me as an opaque black beeer with a dense, sticky, coffee colored head with incredibly creamy lacing.

Nose was wicked oaky, woody with a strong dose of sherry. These three dominated the aroma from start to finish.

Mouthfeel on this one is extremely silky smooth, creamy on the palate and boasts much more overall body vs. the non-cask version. Big sherry note upfront, with a tart oaky and woody character throughout. Thin notes of sharp cherries mingle with a soft burnt chocolate and semi-acrid base. Suggestions of smoke, and a stiff dry earth character towards the finish. The heat on this one is hidden quite well, but makes itself known in the head about 1/3 of the way. Notes of bourbon on the breath. Left with a magnificent series of rings all the way down the pint.

Whoa ... what a difference the treacle made (hence the new entry). Smoother, more body, and the complexities are many. I had to stop writing as I imagine that I could have rambled on and on for hours about this beer. Truly awesome. I wanted more, but 2 pints was more than enough as The Colonel started to punch my head.