Mexican Cake - Bourbon Barrel-Aged - Triple Chocolate
Westbrook Brewing Co.

 

Appearance - The beer was black in color with a dark tan ring of bubbles clinging to the side of the glass.

Smell - Chocolate and heat were noted in the smell, it was sweet.

Taste - Milk chocolate started the profile, with notes of raisins and other dark fruits. Cinnamon notes were light, but led well into the heat that came in the aftertaste. I did not detect the barrel notes, which was a little disappointing.

Mouthfeel - The feel was silky smooth with warming heat toward the back.

Overall - I wanted more barrel with this, but the chocolate and heat still combined for a fantastic beer.

 

 

See my Untappd for picture and full review. @c b

650 mL bottle. Black and viscous. Smells of lots of chocolate, bourbon, cinnamon, and pepper. Tastes of lots of chocolate, strong pepper spice, bourbon, and cinnamon in the back end. Medium heavy. Good stuff. Mexican Cake plus chocolate and barrel.

 

Took me a while to figure this one out. All the individual elements are great, but overall the experience was not my absolute favorite. Allow me to explain-
The pout was black as oil and the dense head a variegated brown - not ivory, or khaki or tan, browns. Deep and rich looking this one is.
The aroma was promising; malts charged with chocolate and coffee swirls, just wonderful.
The taste was likewise wonderous, the complexity of the malts and chocolates and other integrated flavors made my mouth and brain very happy. Then as one is wont to do in these situations, I swallowed. That's where the chili kicks in. And it kicks in hard.
Before I elaborate, I'll finish the basics.
The feel of this is outstanding, very viscous and just matched the flavors and abv well.
So overall - I am more perplexed after drinking this than when I stared - it was like simultaneously drinking two distinct beers - one an amazing BA imperial stout with chocolate and the other a beer you can rate on the Scoville scale. Just where one transitions to the other I could never discern, despite finishing the bomber.
It is *good* and if you like the chili heat, by all means, get some! I found it a bit hotter than I would have preferred and while it didn't ruin the beer for me, it kept me from enjoying it even more.