Delusion - Templeton Rye Barrel-Aged
Greenbush Brewing Company

 

 

 

 

12 ounce bottle from 11/2015 into a snifter. Had 10/31/2018. Still have one more.

Pours dark, mostly opaque with a little garnet tinge along the edge, half inch foamy head, some light, foamy lacing. Still has terrific aromas of rye, rye whiskey, tobacco, chocolate, figs, some dates, malt, oak, light vanilla, light toffee, some molasses, light char. The taste has held up incredibly well- rye whiskey, roasted malt, rye, chocolate, less tobacco than the nose-but still substantial, some molasses, figs, light vanilla, some caramel, a bit of malt bitterness midway through the finish. Smooth, great full body, well carbonated.

Wow, this was a pleasant surprise. I’ve had a number of more prestigious BA stouts that have not aged nearly this well. Aromas and flavors are just terrific, expressive and complex. This might be better now, than fresh.

 

 

 

12 fl oz bottle sealed with Greenbush logo pressure cap.

bottled on 11.2.2016

poured into Spiegelau tulip glass.

Appearance: Black body with a thick 3 fingers tall head. Color of the head is a light to medium khaki color. Good head retention.

Smell: Rye whiskey, rich chocolate, and oak. Vanilla and tobacco. Moderate char / smoke note as well. Smells very balanced in reguards to the barrel aging.

Taste: This stout is big! Spicy rye whiskey mixes with vanilla, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and tobacco. Mild charred oak note. Finish is rich rye whiskey and chocolate with a lightly bitter yet lingering charred wood flavor. Big and bold flavor yet balanced and integrated at the same time.

Mouthfeel: On the lighter side of a medium bodied stout. Low end of medium carbonation level. Carbonation is creamy, but the beer does not feel thick. The beer feels very soft despite such big flavor profile. It really is an interesting mix. Very drinkable barrel aged stout.

Overall: I have tried barrel aged Delusion in the past, but it wasn't the rye whiskey version and it wasn't that great. This rye whiskey varient of Delusion is really exceptional. This is very similar to Templeton Rye barrel Bourbon County Stout in both the aroma and flavor profile. This is a real gem by Greenbush, easily the best beer that I have tried from them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very good imperial stout with the rye whiskey flavors coming through nicely.

12 ounce bottle into snifter, bottled in 11/2015. Pours dense pitch black color with a 1 finger dense dark tan head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, toffee, cream, spicy rye whiskey, toasted oak, light smoke, and roast/oak earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/roasted malt and rye whiskey barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of big milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, toffee, cream, spicy rye whiskey, toasted oak, light smoke, and roast/oak earthiness. Light-moderate roasted bitterness and rye/oak spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of milk/dark chocolate, cocoa, coffee, vanilla, toffee, cream, spicy rye whiskey, toasted oak, light smoke, and roast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roasted malt and rye whiskey barrel flavors; with a great roasted bitter/sweet and spicy rye balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light dryness from roast/oak bitterness as well. Light-medium carbonation and full bodied; with a very smooth, creamy/silky, and lightly sticky/chalky mouthfeel that is awesome. Alcohol is very well hidden with only a light warming present after the finish. Overall this is an outstanding barrel aged imperial cream stout! All around awesome complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/roasted malt and rye whiskey barrel flavors; and very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the huge ABV. A highly enjoyable offering.