Ironclad Series Bourbon Barrel Robust Porter
O'Connor Brewing Co.

 

Bottle 766 of 1500, presumably 2015:
As I poured the beer, thought it looked a little lighter brown in color, dark brown to old ale, but in glass it's a very dark brown. Clarity is evident with the slightest light behind it. Head didn't grow large, but stuck around, and left traces of light tan head on the glass.

Nose is surprisingly almost absent. I get almost nothing flat out. A swirl brings the bourbon notes and a nice little candied coconut sweetness. But it takes effort and a string sniff.

Opening starts with me looking for flavor. That pause is strange, but the bourbon and light nuttiness hit together, the former being dominant. The rest of the beer seems to rely on the barrel aging, as bourbon, wood, light leather notes come out. What's missing is a beer to combine with.

Carbonation is fine, but body is thin. Some tingle from the bourbon flavors, if not the alcohol of the beer.

Kept hoping more would come of this beer. It's definitely not unpalatable, just not bringing anything to the party, either.

Bottle 422 of 1500, poured into a snifter. The beer is a very deep, dark brown coloring that encroaches on being black, with a foamy, light, clingy, uneven, cream colored head. Aromas of bitter roasted coffee, bittersweet baker's chocolate, tangy vanilla, boozy bourbon highlights, and woody accents. Flavors are heavily roasted bitter coffee forward, with a solid follow of bitter cocoa nibs, all blended together with a tangy vanilla and solid bourbon ribbon. This has a lot of booze accents and characteristics without being overpowering of heavy. Light, robust, and dry bodied, with a big aftertaste of heavily roasted coffee and bourbon. Very big on the palate. The finish is smooth, big, and dry. This is a solid brew.

 

Superb beer. Got everything going for it. I want more. Favorite by far from this brewery.