Judaculla
Nantahala Brewing Company

On tap at the brewery pub in NC.
Appearance. This has an essentially black and opaque body with a beige head. The head has good retention.
Aroma. Sour off-odor dominates.
Flavor. Better than the aroma suggests but quite disappointing. Hints of dank hops and coffee.
Feel. Smooth full body.
Overall. This seemed to be a end of the keg pour. In any case, a poor RIS from a brewery capable of making world class versions ... at least in years past.

 

Pours into a goblet nearly jet black except for some deep reddish highlights when held to the light,a thick deep beige head atop.Somewhat muted aromas for the style,I get some dark roast coffee and a bit of caramel/vanilla,but again on the lighter side.Dry and a bit a charred upfront on the palate,hefty coffee roast as well,the JD barrel really doesn't have a big effect,really just adding more charred flavor.Honestly a little underwhelmed by this beer,I like what I have had from this brewery but this is underwhelming...in my opinion.

 

Good RIS. Pours a dense black color with a dark tan head. The head is frothy and of medium size with a slow fade. Some lacing on the glass. Aroma is toasted malt with some scent of the bourbon barrel. Flavor is malty, some coffee and some flavor from the bourbon barrel. Mouthfeel is smooth and rich with just a little alcohol bite. Enjoyable stout but not really outstanding.

Enjoyed at the brewery in one of their "Water is for quitter's" glasses. The pour was a deep, dark black with very little head. The smell was amazing, notes of chocolate and coffee, reminded me of mocha latte. That ended with the first taste as the 10%abv.,bulldozed it's way through. It had bite, but I find the aforementioned notes hidden in the aftertaste which was pleasant, despite the alcohol burn. This would be awesome sitting around a fire at ski lodge or while winter camping.

 

A: Pours black with a finger of brown head that fades into a frothy ring with no lacing.

S: roasted malts with lots of semi-sweet chocolate up front along with vanilla and a touch of bourbon and oak.

T: roasted malts here as well with a mix of bitter and sweet chocolates. Some robust coffee and char come through before an oak and bourbon finish. It's lightly boozy.

M: Thick body with low carbonation, this beer is creamy and smooth.

O: A pretty solid beer, overall. The barrel characteristics are more subtle than most bbal stouts, but it makes it more drinkable and less in-your-face.

This is a remake of their original trail magic #1.

Aged in bourbon barrels, 10% RIS.

Pours a nice dark black color, with a mocha/off white head that sticks around. Beautiful lacing. Looks really good. Doesn't pour with a ton of viscosity.

Smell is of roasted malts, sweet burnt sugars, honey, bourbon/wood notes and smokey ash.

Taste is really nice. It's very smooth, no acrid notes of the roast. Very roasty, some bourbon notes in the middle, although not very apparent, it's blended well. The honey and sorghum syrup add a nice dry sweetness to the finish, that holds off the smokey roast of the grain bill. It's very balanced, if anything, one of the smoother RIS I've had.

Carbonation is spot on. It's creamy, and assertive without making the beer thin. Medium body on the beer, not the thickest but drinkable!

Overall, I enjoyed this. Had it on draft and in bottles. Both are excellent. I've had the original, and the next years remake and this is the best of both worlds. They have dialed this in, and removed any mistakes from past. Wish for better use of the barrels, but doesn't dissapoint.