Brandy Barrel Aged Dark Lord With Vanilla Beans
3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Beer Geek Stats:
| Print Shelf Talker
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 15%
- Score:
- 100
- Avg:
- 4.74 | pDev: 11.39%
- Reviews:
- 52
- Ratings:
- From:
- 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
- Indiana, United States
- Avail:
- Retired (no longer brewed)
- Wants
- 440
- Gots
- 32
SCORE
100
World-Class
100
World-Class
Notes:
(AKA Marshmallow Handji)
This is our massive Russian-style Imperial Stout aged for one year in brandy barrel with Madagascar vanilla beans. Thick, smooth, complex, and warming, this rare beer will certainly be remembered.
45 IBU
This is our massive Russian-style Imperial Stout aged for one year in brandy barrel with Madagascar vanilla beans. Thick, smooth, complex, and warming, this rare beer will certainly be remembered.
45 IBU
Reviews: 52
| Ratings: 149
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5/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is as good or better than I remember when having it fresh with my oldest son after waiting hours in line to get in to the pub during the 2012 festival. Shared it with him tonight (8/10/2019). It held up just fine for 7 years. It gave a small hiss upon opening the cap and smelled wonderful. Strong coffee and vanilla. Tasted creamy and smooth. It was a wonderful memory shared.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
This is as good or better than I remember when having it fresh with my oldest son after waiting hours in line to get in to the pub during the 2012 festival. Shared it with him tonight (8/10/2019). It held up just fine for 7 years. It gave a small hiss upon opening the cap and smelled wonderful. Strong coffee and vanilla. Tasted creamy and smooth. It was a wonderful memory shared.
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5/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
L: Jet black and thick
S: Brandy dipped marshmallows
T: Brandy dipped marshmallows
F: Thick as motor oil
O: Overall this is the best beer I've ever had. I already love regular Handjee and the brandy barrel gives it this hard to describe brightness and pop that balances out the sweetness of regular Handjee.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
L: Jet black and thick
S: Brandy dipped marshmallows
T: Brandy dipped marshmallows
F: Thick as motor oil
O: Overall this is the best beer I've ever had. I already love regular Handjee and the brandy barrel gives it this hard to describe brightness and pop that balances out the sweetness of regular Handjee.
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4.96/5 rDev +4.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
wow, Hugh surprise from my buddies.
Pours dark with little to no head, right away your nose is hit with a caramel, sweet vanilla aroma. The brandy adds such a delicate balance to this beer. Mouthfeel is typical darklord thick, coats your mouth allowing the flavors to linger. The taste is phenomenal! The brandy is has sweeter tones but not at all over the top sweet like bvdl usually is. I thought for sure the vanilla would have faded being an adjunct that falls fast. Not true at all. Vanilla is excellent, and goes so well with the brandy. All in All one of the best stouts ever to touch my lips. Enjoyed this very much.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
wow, Hugh surprise from my buddies.
Pours dark with little to no head, right away your nose is hit with a caramel, sweet vanilla aroma. The brandy adds such a delicate balance to this beer. Mouthfeel is typical darklord thick, coats your mouth allowing the flavors to linger. The taste is phenomenal! The brandy is has sweeter tones but not at all over the top sweet like bvdl usually is. I thought for sure the vanilla would have faded being an adjunct that falls fast. Not true at all. Vanilla is excellent, and goes so well with the brandy. All in All one of the best stouts ever to touch my lips. Enjoyed this very much.
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4.46/5 rDev -5.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Brown and black, mostly black. Not much lighter brown head. Warming alcohol, brandy, vanilla waft upward. Already the best DL aroma I've been around.
The amount of vanilla is huge in this. Comes without a big degree of sugars too that typically come with some of the vanilla offerings. Hides the booze.
This is a solid desert beer to enjoy with rich chocolate cake.
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look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Brown and black, mostly black. Not much lighter brown head. Warming alcohol, brandy, vanilla waft upward. Already the best DL aroma I've been around.
The amount of vanilla is huge in this. Comes without a big degree of sugars too that typically come with some of the vanilla offerings. Hides the booze.
This is a solid desert beer to enjoy with rich chocolate cake.
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4.79/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Side by side with other variants from 2011.
This beer was the first one I had added on my wants list here, so thanks a lot Chris for sharing!
A: Dark pour with almost no head to speak of.
S: Vanilla is the most prominent flavor. Other than that, smell is sweet with candies, strawberries, marshmallow and bubble gum. Tons of marzipan also. Nice but a bit artificial (more than the bourbon vanilla, although this one varies a lot from one year to another...). No off-flavors like soy sauce or candy sugar however.
T: Taste is awesome. The best Dark Lord I have had so far in this regard. Vanilla, marzipan, chocolate, dark fruits, prune, soaked plum and cherries mixed together. Deep and complex, balanced. Surprisingly not sweetness nor alcohol to be found on the palate. No artificial flavors either. I would say the taste is even better than the Pappy van Winkle version. Long lasting. Travels back and forth from vanilla to cherries, from chocolate to dark fruits. Subdued apple and brandy as it warms. Amazing!
M: Awesome mouthfeel. The smoothest version of 2011 barrel aged dark lord.
O: Awesome beer. The smell is not really balanced (like the regular Dark Lord or the Brandy version), but apart from that, it is the best variant I have had.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Side by side with other variants from 2011.
This beer was the first one I had added on my wants list here, so thanks a lot Chris for sharing!
A: Dark pour with almost no head to speak of.
S: Vanilla is the most prominent flavor. Other than that, smell is sweet with candies, strawberries, marshmallow and bubble gum. Tons of marzipan also. Nice but a bit artificial (more than the bourbon vanilla, although this one varies a lot from one year to another...). No off-flavors like soy sauce or candy sugar however.
T: Taste is awesome. The best Dark Lord I have had so far in this regard. Vanilla, marzipan, chocolate, dark fruits, prune, soaked plum and cherries mixed together. Deep and complex, balanced. Surprisingly not sweetness nor alcohol to be found on the palate. No artificial flavors either. I would say the taste is even better than the Pappy van Winkle version. Long lasting. Travels back and forth from vanilla to cherries, from chocolate to dark fruits. Subdued apple and brandy as it warms. Amazing!
M: Awesome mouthfeel. The smoothest version of 2011 barrel aged dark lord.
O: Awesome beer. The smell is not really balanced (like the regular Dark Lord or the Brandy version), but apart from that, it is the best variant I have had.
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5/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Old Review-
Big shoutout to Brett for bringing to DLD 2014. Definitely the highlight of the day that included whale after whale. The smell was that of roasted marshmallows and coffee. The vanilla was so prevalent and the Brandy added a very different flavor than you get with the lesser bourbon aged vanilla counterpart. One of the finest barrel aged stouts I've ever had.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Old Review-
Big shoutout to Brett for bringing to DLD 2014. Definitely the highlight of the day that included whale after whale. The smell was that of roasted marshmallows and coffee. The vanilla was so prevalent and the Brandy added a very different flavor than you get with the lesser bourbon aged vanilla counterpart. One of the finest barrel aged stouts I've ever had.
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3.52/5 rDev -25.7%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to a few people we were able to put together the entire vertical and almost all the BA variants. Lots of fun gents!
From a 750 into a snifter
2011 vintage
Bottle 403 of 433
APPEARANCE: Just like all the rest of them. Pours relatively clear for an imperial stout. Produces a small, one finger medium-looking head that quickly fades to a wisp and ring. Black body in the glass with some carbonation evident. Only a ring remains until the end and leaves no real lacing down the glass. A little too light a pour and an average head at best.
SMELL: Much like the bourbon vanilla version, but slightly milder. A touch of brandy perhaps with a lightly roasted aroma, but this one is mostly vanilla on the nose and not overpowering. Milder and less artificial than the bourbon version.
TASTE: Vanilla sweetness up front mostly, with sweet cream and a touch of brandy at the swallow. Some sweet Dark Lord after the swallow with molasses and caramel, but the vanilla and marshmellow flavor is more prevalent here. Bolder finish is sweet with enough vanilla and a touch of alcohol lingering on the palate. Milder and less arfitical than the bourbon vanilla version, much like the nose.
PALATE: Slightly lighter than the base beer, but still big enough. Just like the other DL variants as well. Medium body with medium levels of carbonation. Creamy enough, goes down fine and finishes rather sticky on the palate. A bit of a burn and some heat lingers.
OVERALL: Pretty good variant, and much better and less artificial than the bourbon vanilla version. The vanilla made this a little one-dimensional perhaps, but the small glass was certainly enjoyable. Finishing a bottle of this on my own would be a chore, however. Cheers for the fun tasting boys!
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Thanks to a few people we were able to put together the entire vertical and almost all the BA variants. Lots of fun gents!
From a 750 into a snifter
2011 vintage
Bottle 403 of 433
APPEARANCE: Just like all the rest of them. Pours relatively clear for an imperial stout. Produces a small, one finger medium-looking head that quickly fades to a wisp and ring. Black body in the glass with some carbonation evident. Only a ring remains until the end and leaves no real lacing down the glass. A little too light a pour and an average head at best.
SMELL: Much like the bourbon vanilla version, but slightly milder. A touch of brandy perhaps with a lightly roasted aroma, but this one is mostly vanilla on the nose and not overpowering. Milder and less artificial than the bourbon version.
TASTE: Vanilla sweetness up front mostly, with sweet cream and a touch of brandy at the swallow. Some sweet Dark Lord after the swallow with molasses and caramel, but the vanilla and marshmellow flavor is more prevalent here. Bolder finish is sweet with enough vanilla and a touch of alcohol lingering on the palate. Milder and less arfitical than the bourbon vanilla version, much like the nose.
PALATE: Slightly lighter than the base beer, but still big enough. Just like the other DL variants as well. Medium body with medium levels of carbonation. Creamy enough, goes down fine and finishes rather sticky on the palate. A bit of a burn and some heat lingers.
OVERALL: Pretty good variant, and much better and less artificial than the bourbon vanilla version. The vanilla made this a little one-dimensional perhaps, but the small glass was certainly enjoyable. Finishing a bottle of this on my own would be a chore, however. Cheers for the fun tasting boys!
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4.95/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottle had at NWI tasting group 2011 BA DL night
A - Dark chocolate brown with a caramel color around the edges. Not much of a head as it only leaves small bubbles on the sides. As the beer swirls in my glass, I can tell it's going to be a thick one as it leaves lots of residue on the sides
S - Loads of vanilla, brandy sweetness, marshmallow fluff, chocolate, and caramel. This is one amazing smelling beer
T - This is definitely the sweetest of the BA DLs but it manages to not be overly sweet. It tastes like marshmallow fluff. There is loads of vanilla and marshmallow in each sip. As it carries on, I do get slight oak, chocolate, and brandy but the vanilla and marshmallow are strong without overpowering. Definitely probably the most vanilla I've had in a beer
MF - Smooth creamy and thick beer that coats the tongue. It also manages to be slightly soft and fluffy.
O - This is an amazing beer. There is so much vanilla in this yet the vanilla doesn't overpower at all. Instead it blends in well to add a great twist to these beers.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Bottle had at NWI tasting group 2011 BA DL night
A - Dark chocolate brown with a caramel color around the edges. Not much of a head as it only leaves small bubbles on the sides. As the beer swirls in my glass, I can tell it's going to be a thick one as it leaves lots of residue on the sides
S - Loads of vanilla, brandy sweetness, marshmallow fluff, chocolate, and caramel. This is one amazing smelling beer
T - This is definitely the sweetest of the BA DLs but it manages to not be overly sweet. It tastes like marshmallow fluff. There is loads of vanilla and marshmallow in each sip. As it carries on, I do get slight oak, chocolate, and brandy but the vanilla and marshmallow are strong without overpowering. Definitely probably the most vanilla I've had in a beer
MF - Smooth creamy and thick beer that coats the tongue. It also manages to be slightly soft and fluffy.
O - This is an amazing beer. There is so much vanilla in this yet the vanilla doesn't overpower at all. Instead it blends in well to add a great twist to these beers.
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4.54/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Half Acre snifter.
A- Pours black with almost no head. Small tan ring of lacing around the glass.
S- Sweet chocolate, brown sugar, brandy/alcohol, vanilla
T- Sweet chocolate, brandy, brown sugar, vanilla, and more fudgey chocolate.
M- Full body and medium carbonation. Silky, creamy and smooth.
O- Very good beer. Still have the 2012 vanilla above this variant, but still damn good.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 750 ml bottle into a Half Acre snifter.
A- Pours black with almost no head. Small tan ring of lacing around the glass.
S- Sweet chocolate, brown sugar, brandy/alcohol, vanilla
T- Sweet chocolate, brandy, brown sugar, vanilla, and more fudgey chocolate.
M- Full body and medium carbonation. Silky, creamy and smooth.
O- Very good beer. Still have the 2012 vanilla above this variant, but still damn good.
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4.6/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Huge thanks to LarryByrd for trading me this rarity! I honestly dont think that I could ever thank you enough for the oppurtunity to try this beer! Cheers!
Poured into a tulip glass.
Reviewed from notes taken on 2/23/2013.
Appearance: As dark as black can get. Thin medium brown cap with that goes away fast leaving nothing for head on the beer. Like all dark lord beers this beer stains the glass.
Smell: Faint vanilla, fudge, brandy, and oak.
Taste: Lot of chocolate. Faint vanilla and marshmellows. Sweet and smooth brandy. Its pretty oaky and woody. Its very big and very sweet. You do get a bit of oxidation, but not much. Its fantastic beer!
Mouthfeel: Full bodied beer with low carbonation. Thick, heavy, viscous, chewy, massive stout. Its got a touch of warming booze and its 15% is very well hidden.
Overall: The fact that I got to try this beer is just plain awesome! The fact that it is still an amazing beer is also awesome! Glad that I had the chance to drink this beer. It one of the best 3 Floyds beers that I have ever drank. Brandy barrel aged beers are awesome I wish that more brewers would use brandy barrels to age big beers!
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Huge thanks to LarryByrd for trading me this rarity! I honestly dont think that I could ever thank you enough for the oppurtunity to try this beer! Cheers!
Poured into a tulip glass.
Reviewed from notes taken on 2/23/2013.
Appearance: As dark as black can get. Thin medium brown cap with that goes away fast leaving nothing for head on the beer. Like all dark lord beers this beer stains the glass.
Smell: Faint vanilla, fudge, brandy, and oak.
Taste: Lot of chocolate. Faint vanilla and marshmellows. Sweet and smooth brandy. Its pretty oaky and woody. Its very big and very sweet. You do get a bit of oxidation, but not much. Its fantastic beer!
Mouthfeel: Full bodied beer with low carbonation. Thick, heavy, viscous, chewy, massive stout. Its got a touch of warming booze and its 15% is very well hidden.
Overall: The fact that I got to try this beer is just plain awesome! The fact that it is still an amazing beer is also awesome! Glad that I had the chance to drink this beer. It one of the best 3 Floyds beers that I have ever drank. Brandy barrel aged beers are awesome I wish that more brewers would use brandy barrels to age big beers!
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4.45/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
No head. Dark brown body, lighter brown hued edges. Stains the glass.
Sweet aroma. Present booze but not overpowering.
Candy...I'm not even close to a brandy expert but this is great. Again "beer candy". Vanilla is muted behind the brandy.
Medium to medium-thick mouthfeel. Adequate carbonation.
Takes a mediocre base beer and makes it great. A treat to partake in. Thanks for the share 4DAloveofSTOUT for the share!
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
No head. Dark brown body, lighter brown hued edges. Stains the glass.
Sweet aroma. Present booze but not overpowering.
Candy...I'm not even close to a brandy expert but this is great. Again "beer candy". Vanilla is muted behind the brandy.
Medium to medium-thick mouthfeel. Adequate carbonation.
Takes a mediocre base beer and makes it great. A treat to partake in. Thanks for the share 4DAloveofSTOUT for the share!
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5/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Might be the best tasting beer that I have ever had. Split 8 or so ways at a DL vertical and horizantol tasting in 2012. The smell was sweet of brandy with a nice undertone of vanilla and the taste was big flavor with the vanilla slightly coming through over the brandy. The mouthfeel was rather thick and tasty. Definitely my favorite of the DL tasting.
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look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Might be the best tasting beer that I have ever had. Split 8 or so ways at a DL vertical and horizantol tasting in 2012. The smell was sweet of brandy with a nice undertone of vanilla and the taste was big flavor with the vanilla slightly coming through over the brandy. The mouthfeel was rather thick and tasty. Definitely my favorite of the DL tasting.
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4.92/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Bottle generously shared by grumpyoldtroll, thanks again Mike, you went 2x2 on the night
Bottled poured what could have been mistaken for motor oil with a slight espresso head and no lacing.. The smell of this beer is overwhelmingly marshmallow, mixed with the booziness of brandy, simply amazing scent.
The taste reminds me of being around a camp fire making smores. Mix of marshmallow, chocolate malt, vanilla and roasted malt.
This beer is sweet on your palate, but incredibly balanced with the brandy and vanilla bean.
I cant decide whether Brandy Vanilla, or Apple Brandy Huna go down as my favorite stout of all time....
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Bottle generously shared by grumpyoldtroll, thanks again Mike, you went 2x2 on the night
Bottled poured what could have been mistaken for motor oil with a slight espresso head and no lacing.. The smell of this beer is overwhelmingly marshmallow, mixed with the booziness of brandy, simply amazing scent.
The taste reminds me of being around a camp fire making smores. Mix of marshmallow, chocolate malt, vanilla and roasted malt.
This beer is sweet on your palate, but incredibly balanced with the brandy and vanilla bean.
I cant decide whether Brandy Vanilla, or Apple Brandy Huna go down as my favorite stout of all time....
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4.84/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
REVIEW # 1000
2011 750mL bottle poured into taster. Opened alongside DL 10-12 and Bourbon Barrel DL 12 as part of our holiday StoutFest tasting.
Pours an oily, thick blackness with a thin, filmy toasted brown head. Fades out completely leaving a few random spots of lacing dotted around the glass.
Holy crap, this actually smells exactly like marshmallows. Heavy vanilla scents drizzled in chocolate and powered by some sweet brandy warmth. Layers of toasted dark malts and oak with hints of dark fruit and roasted nuts. It's like a booze-soaked s'more. Awesome - I literally couldn't stop smelling this.
Intense brandy barrel flavor riddled with vanilla and marshmallow tones, serving as shockingly delicious exclamation points on the profile. Plenty of chocolate, sticky sweet malts and molasses. Touches of dark fruit and roasted oak. The vanilla beans and velvety brandy barrel character continue to tantalize the palate throughout the warm finish.
Full, heavy body, sticky and creamy on the tongue. I was hoping this one really was going to live up to the ridiculous hype and it came through in spades. Utterly stunning and capable of completely elevating Dark Lord to heights the base beer can't even dream of reaching. This narrowly edged out Bourbon Barrel Dark Lord 12 as the best beer of the evening and is one of the best stouts I've had since Bourbon County Vanilla and Coffee.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
REVIEW # 1000
2011 750mL bottle poured into taster. Opened alongside DL 10-12 and Bourbon Barrel DL 12 as part of our holiday StoutFest tasting.
Pours an oily, thick blackness with a thin, filmy toasted brown head. Fades out completely leaving a few random spots of lacing dotted around the glass.
Holy crap, this actually smells exactly like marshmallows. Heavy vanilla scents drizzled in chocolate and powered by some sweet brandy warmth. Layers of toasted dark malts and oak with hints of dark fruit and roasted nuts. It's like a booze-soaked s'more. Awesome - I literally couldn't stop smelling this.
Intense brandy barrel flavor riddled with vanilla and marshmallow tones, serving as shockingly delicious exclamation points on the profile. Plenty of chocolate, sticky sweet malts and molasses. Touches of dark fruit and roasted oak. The vanilla beans and velvety brandy barrel character continue to tantalize the palate throughout the warm finish.
Full, heavy body, sticky and creamy on the tongue. I was hoping this one really was going to live up to the ridiculous hype and it came through in spades. Utterly stunning and capable of completely elevating Dark Lord to heights the base beer can't even dream of reaching. This narrowly edged out Bourbon Barrel Dark Lord 12 as the best beer of the evening and is one of the best stouts I've had since Bourbon County Vanilla and Coffee.
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4.97/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Reviewing the Brandy Barrel Aged Dark Lord With Vanilla Beans from Three Floyds Brewing Company out of Munster, Indiana. This is one of the most sought after beers in the craft beer world, so I have to give a major thanks to Robbie Moy for cracking this one open and sharing it with me. This beer was only released once, and only to those who were lucky enough to have a winning scratch-off ticket at Dark Lord Day in 2011. This is the 2010 vintage of Dark Lord, aged for one year in brandy barrels with Madagascar vanilla beans added. Only 433 bottles of this were released. We cracked this one, in addition to several other big name goodies, to celebrate the end of the Illinois bar exam, my birthday, and Robbie Moy's birthday.
Score: 99
Bottle number 332/433 (2011 vintage). Served in a wine chalice and enjoyed on 07/28/12. Review is from notes.
Appearance: Jet black, with a thin brown highlight strip atop the glass when held up to light. A think layer of creamy melted milk chocolate colored head at pour settles to a pencil thin ring around the glass. The lacing is incredibly oily and it coats the side of the glass, slowly oozing back down. 4.5/5
Smell: Sweet vanilla, fudge, milk chocolate and a hint of alcohol heat. Then brandy and more fudge. Complex, balanced and chocolatey. Sweet on the nose, but not nearly as sweet as the base beer. Mild molasses in the nose too. 5/5
Taste: Sweet and creamy Edy's vanilla bean ice cream and brandy layered on top of molasses and fudgey milk chocolate. Decadent flavors coat the tongue in rich, lingering goodness. Molasses and raisin too. Definitely a sweet stout (but not cloying), though this one is a little less sweet than the 2011 bourbon vanilla dark lord was. There is a nice alcohol warmth to the finish without any real "booziness" that gives this one some "life after death" on the tongue.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, low carbonation. Viscous, sweet and "sticky" mouthfeel. 5/5
Overall: One of the best beers out there with a reputation for the same for a good reason. This beer is definitely one of the sweeter stouts out there, but it never crosses the line into the land of cloyingly sweet. I found the base beer and others like Lindley Park to be much sweeter. This is not a beer I could load up my cellar with at its retail price tag, even if I had the chance to buy multiples, and it's even harder to get through trade, but this is a must-try beer to hunt down and split with friends.
Recommendation: Seek a bottle of this beer out. It is just as good as everyone says.
Pairings: Vanilla custard.
Cost: $50 for a 750 ml bottle.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Reviewing the Brandy Barrel Aged Dark Lord With Vanilla Beans from Three Floyds Brewing Company out of Munster, Indiana. This is one of the most sought after beers in the craft beer world, so I have to give a major thanks to Robbie Moy for cracking this one open and sharing it with me. This beer was only released once, and only to those who were lucky enough to have a winning scratch-off ticket at Dark Lord Day in 2011. This is the 2010 vintage of Dark Lord, aged for one year in brandy barrels with Madagascar vanilla beans added. Only 433 bottles of this were released. We cracked this one, in addition to several other big name goodies, to celebrate the end of the Illinois bar exam, my birthday, and Robbie Moy's birthday.
Score: 99
Bottle number 332/433 (2011 vintage). Served in a wine chalice and enjoyed on 07/28/12. Review is from notes.
Appearance: Jet black, with a thin brown highlight strip atop the glass when held up to light. A think layer of creamy melted milk chocolate colored head at pour settles to a pencil thin ring around the glass. The lacing is incredibly oily and it coats the side of the glass, slowly oozing back down. 4.5/5
Smell: Sweet vanilla, fudge, milk chocolate and a hint of alcohol heat. Then brandy and more fudge. Complex, balanced and chocolatey. Sweet on the nose, but not nearly as sweet as the base beer. Mild molasses in the nose too. 5/5
Taste: Sweet and creamy Edy's vanilla bean ice cream and brandy layered on top of molasses and fudgey milk chocolate. Decadent flavors coat the tongue in rich, lingering goodness. Molasses and raisin too. Definitely a sweet stout (but not cloying), though this one is a little less sweet than the 2011 bourbon vanilla dark lord was. There is a nice alcohol warmth to the finish without any real "booziness" that gives this one some "life after death" on the tongue.
Mouthfeel: Full bodied, low carbonation. Viscous, sweet and "sticky" mouthfeel. 5/5
Overall: One of the best beers out there with a reputation for the same for a good reason. This beer is definitely one of the sweeter stouts out there, but it never crosses the line into the land of cloyingly sweet. I found the base beer and others like Lindley Park to be much sweeter. This is not a beer I could load up my cellar with at its retail price tag, even if I had the chance to buy multiples, and it's even harder to get through trade, but this is a must-try beer to hunt down and split with friends.
Recommendation: Seek a bottle of this beer out. It is just as good as everyone says.
Pairings: Vanilla custard.
Cost: $50 for a 750 ml bottle.
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4.89/5 rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Consumed on 7/28 as part of the NYC BA DarkLord Voltron tasting!!! thanks to jim for providing this gem.
bottle #190 / 433
a - black with minimal off brown tan head. soft of what i was expecting for a barrel aged dark lord.
s - smells like marshmellows. really wonderful. the vanilla is strong and melds with the fruitiness of the brandy creating an almost sangria marshmellow stout smell. my mouth is watering.
t - taste is unreal. marshmellow extreme. the vanilla carries a lot of the marshmellow sweetness but the brandy brings some sangria characteristics..mix that with the roasty chocolate stoutness of dark lord and you've got the best of the best.
m - smooth and easy drinking. the barrel worked wonders on this beer.
o - overall, this beer is simply amazing. it is truly fascinating to witness what a barrel can do to such a thick and rich beer. a pleasure cruise through my lips. this was my favorite of the 8 closely followed by the bourbon vanilla and the 2 bourbons.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
Consumed on 7/28 as part of the NYC BA DarkLord Voltron tasting!!! thanks to jim for providing this gem.
bottle #190 / 433
a - black with minimal off brown tan head. soft of what i was expecting for a barrel aged dark lord.
s - smells like marshmellows. really wonderful. the vanilla is strong and melds with the fruitiness of the brandy creating an almost sangria marshmellow stout smell. my mouth is watering.
t - taste is unreal. marshmellow extreme. the vanilla carries a lot of the marshmellow sweetness but the brandy brings some sangria characteristics..mix that with the roasty chocolate stoutness of dark lord and you've got the best of the best.
m - smooth and easy drinking. the barrel worked wonders on this beer.
o - overall, this beer is simply amazing. it is truly fascinating to witness what a barrel can do to such a thick and rich beer. a pleasure cruise through my lips. this was my favorite of the 8 closely followed by the bourbon vanilla and the 2 bourbons.
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4.64/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Opened the 2011 & 2012 Vanillas next to each other to kick off our tasting with all 8 BA DLs. Pretty sure Jim brought this bottle -- thanks!
Gloops out of the bottle with minimal head and lace. Lots of sweetness and brandy in the aroma, vanilla shines through with the booze. Intense and potent.
Taste is straight up marshmallows. Honey graham crackers, sweet malt, dark roast, plenty of vanilla, more sugary sweetness. I swear this is s'mores in liquid form, and damn is it delicious. Very sweet but somehow not cloying. Booze shows up towards the end, warming my throat and bringing in more vanilla. Massive, viscous body approaches perfection.
Yeah, this is awesome. The '12 has more barrel (bourbon) character, which also imparts significantly more boozy heat. That said, the aftertaste on the '12 melts into a boozy, vanilla-infused nectar that sticks to the back of your throat after swallowing, and that was my favorite part of either beer. All in all, these were phenomenal.
This '11 Brandy Vanilla ended up being my favorite of the 8 variants, followed by '12 Cognac and '12 Bourbon Vanilla. Get your hands on one of these, folks, they are drinking great right now!
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Opened the 2011 & 2012 Vanillas next to each other to kick off our tasting with all 8 BA DLs. Pretty sure Jim brought this bottle -- thanks!
Gloops out of the bottle with minimal head and lace. Lots of sweetness and brandy in the aroma, vanilla shines through with the booze. Intense and potent.
Taste is straight up marshmallows. Honey graham crackers, sweet malt, dark roast, plenty of vanilla, more sugary sweetness. I swear this is s'mores in liquid form, and damn is it delicious. Very sweet but somehow not cloying. Booze shows up towards the end, warming my throat and bringing in more vanilla. Massive, viscous body approaches perfection.
Yeah, this is awesome. The '12 has more barrel (bourbon) character, which also imparts significantly more boozy heat. That said, the aftertaste on the '12 melts into a boozy, vanilla-infused nectar that sticks to the back of your throat after swallowing, and that was my favorite part of either beer. All in all, these were phenomenal.
This '11 Brandy Vanilla ended up being my favorite of the 8 variants, followed by '12 Cognac and '12 Bourbon Vanilla. Get your hands on one of these, folks, they are drinking great right now!
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4.42/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
8oz swing top bottle. This was hand tapped at DLD 4/28/12. Literally poured from tasting glass into the bottle by a great BA'er. Poured this one into my Boulevard tulip.
A: Pours a really dark black with reddish hues around the edges of the glass. No head obviously, but surprisingly there was still a touch of carbonation when I gave it a swirl. No lacing but to be expected. It leaves the normal dark film on the glass.
S: Being almost still, the nose is a little tough to get at which is to be expected. Initially I got more dark fruit than anything. Smelled very sweet. Then you really do get some of that delicious vanilla and barrel hints.
T: Luscious vanilla at the front of the tongue. Couple that with dark, rich chocolate. It's incredibly thick. It's fairly sweet, without being cloying. Flat out delicious.
M: Full bodied. A touch more carbonation would do this one wonders, but I liked it as is.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
8oz swing top bottle. This was hand tapped at DLD 4/28/12. Literally poured from tasting glass into the bottle by a great BA'er. Poured this one into my Boulevard tulip.
A: Pours a really dark black with reddish hues around the edges of the glass. No head obviously, but surprisingly there was still a touch of carbonation when I gave it a swirl. No lacing but to be expected. It leaves the normal dark film on the glass.
S: Being almost still, the nose is a little tough to get at which is to be expected. Initially I got more dark fruit than anything. Smelled very sweet. Then you really do get some of that delicious vanilla and barrel hints.
T: Luscious vanilla at the front of the tongue. Couple that with dark, rich chocolate. It's incredibly thick. It's fairly sweet, without being cloying. Flat out delicious.
M: Full bodied. A touch more carbonation would do this one wonders, but I liked it as is.
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4.68/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at DLD 2012. (review from notes)
To be honest, this doesn't really look like much. Almost no head, no lacing, a bit of thin film along the rim of the glass but that's about it. Nice jet black color, and that great motor oil look is definitely there though. The aroma is intoxicating, perfect balance of vanilla, chocolate, licorice, coffee and some nice roast, but the vanilla presence just gives it something oh so special. I seriously want to stick my face in this vanilla glory for so long and just let that aroma take over my brain, room spray anyone? The flavors are just as amazing, the vanilla is definitely the highlight, but not astringent at all, super smooth, brings out the chocolate flavors really well, the coffee comes out nicely as well with some nice licorice and spiced flavors at the back. This is everything you want from a stout, perfect balance, rich heavy flavors. Super smooth, luscious, sexy as hell. The body is perfection, big, thick, viscous yet soft, plush and coating, warms as it goes down, incredible stuff.
Verdict: There is a reason this is so highly sought after, the hype is justified. This rules.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
On tap at DLD 2012. (review from notes)
To be honest, this doesn't really look like much. Almost no head, no lacing, a bit of thin film along the rim of the glass but that's about it. Nice jet black color, and that great motor oil look is definitely there though. The aroma is intoxicating, perfect balance of vanilla, chocolate, licorice, coffee and some nice roast, but the vanilla presence just gives it something oh so special. I seriously want to stick my face in this vanilla glory for so long and just let that aroma take over my brain, room spray anyone? The flavors are just as amazing, the vanilla is definitely the highlight, but not astringent at all, super smooth, brings out the chocolate flavors really well, the coffee comes out nicely as well with some nice licorice and spiced flavors at the back. This is everything you want from a stout, perfect balance, rich heavy flavors. Super smooth, luscious, sexy as hell. The body is perfection, big, thick, viscous yet soft, plush and coating, warms as it goes down, incredible stuff.
Verdict: There is a reason this is so highly sought after, the hype is justified. This rules.
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4.47/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Did a Dark Lord vertical 07-11 during March Madness, jh1982 was gracious enough to pop this open along with those varieties. Easily my favorite DL I've ever had. Typical brown and black dark lord pour with not much in the way of head. Big warm brandy and vanilla aroma, totally delivers, in if anything can make the base Dark Lord chill in the background, its this brandy and vanilla quotient, which is quite nice together.
Just a ton of vanilla all over it, a vanilla better than the GI BCS vanilla, because it doesn't have the same massive sweetness, while this is sweeter than your average Dark Lord, it isn't bothersome, it is complimentary. Hides the alcohol well, like all DLs.
Put it alongside Chocolate Rain, Creme Brulee, Eclipse Brandy. . . as a phenomenal dessertish beer. Wouldn't hesitate to grab one of these if I ever had the chance. I dunno if I'd drop $50 on it, but $30, sure.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Did a Dark Lord vertical 07-11 during March Madness, jh1982 was gracious enough to pop this open along with those varieties. Easily my favorite DL I've ever had. Typical brown and black dark lord pour with not much in the way of head. Big warm brandy and vanilla aroma, totally delivers, in if anything can make the base Dark Lord chill in the background, its this brandy and vanilla quotient, which is quite nice together.
Just a ton of vanilla all over it, a vanilla better than the GI BCS vanilla, because it doesn't have the same massive sweetness, while this is sweeter than your average Dark Lord, it isn't bothersome, it is complimentary. Hides the alcohol well, like all DLs.
Put it alongside Chocolate Rain, Creme Brulee, Eclipse Brandy. . . as a phenomenal dessertish beer. Wouldn't hesitate to grab one of these if I ever had the chance. I dunno if I'd drop $50 on it, but $30, sure.
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4.92/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I won this bottle in the scratch off at DLD 2011. Poured into a Founders snifter.
A: Looks exactly like normal Dark Lord. Pitch black with a tiny small dark brown head that fades quickly.
S: Lots of vanilla. There is some roasted malt behind the vanilla, but the vanilla is the overwhelming smell.
T: Again, lots of vanilla here. There is also some chocolate, roasted malt, and some caramel.
M: Full bodied and smooth.
O: Overall this is my favorite RIS. Normal Dark Lord while a good beer, is over hyped in my opinion. This is completely different. The vanilla perfects the beer in my opinion, and makes it my favorite beer I have had to date. Hopefully they will have more at this year's event!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
I won this bottle in the scratch off at DLD 2011. Poured into a Founders snifter.
A: Looks exactly like normal Dark Lord. Pitch black with a tiny small dark brown head that fades quickly.
S: Lots of vanilla. There is some roasted malt behind the vanilla, but the vanilla is the overwhelming smell.
T: Again, lots of vanilla here. There is also some chocolate, roasted malt, and some caramel.
M: Full bodied and smooth.
O: Overall this is my favorite RIS. Normal Dark Lord while a good beer, is over hyped in my opinion. This is completely different. The vanilla perfects the beer in my opinion, and makes it my favorite beer I have had to date. Hopefully they will have more at this year's event!
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4.85/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
From 01/14/12 notes. Was lucky enough to "win"/buy this at Dark Lord Day, and even luckier to get to try it side by side with the base beer and the other three variants with some friends. I liked this version the best, and think it is up there with the Vanill Bean DL as the best beer I've had from FFF. Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter. Bottle 233/433.
a - Pours a pitch black color with one inch of dark tan head and low carbonation evident. Looks like the normal version and all the other variants.
s - Smells of vanilla beans, roasted malts, dark fruits, oak, light brandy, sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, and toasted malts. An awesome nose here, and the vanilla is in the forefront.
t - Tastes of vanilla beans, sweet chocolate, roasted malts, sweet dark fruits, brandy, aok, dark chocolate, toasted malts. A ton of vanilla in the taste and to me, it's amazing.
m - Full bodied stout and low carbonation. Body is thick and creamy; pretty perfect for a big RIS.
o - Overall I thought this was a fantasic stout. If you like vanilla in your stouts than this is one of the best there is. Perfect mouthfeel and like I said, rivals their Vanilla Bean DL. I actually think I liked the nose of the PVW DL better, but the taste better here, so this gets a slightly higher grade due to the way scores are calculated. I think those 2 are neck and neck though and way above the others.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
From 01/14/12 notes. Was lucky enough to "win"/buy this at Dark Lord Day, and even luckier to get to try it side by side with the base beer and the other three variants with some friends. I liked this version the best, and think it is up there with the Vanill Bean DL as the best beer I've had from FFF. Poured from a 750ml bottle into a snifter. Bottle 233/433.
a - Pours a pitch black color with one inch of dark tan head and low carbonation evident. Looks like the normal version and all the other variants.
s - Smells of vanilla beans, roasted malts, dark fruits, oak, light brandy, sweet chocolate, dark chocolate, and toasted malts. An awesome nose here, and the vanilla is in the forefront.
t - Tastes of vanilla beans, sweet chocolate, roasted malts, sweet dark fruits, brandy, aok, dark chocolate, toasted malts. A ton of vanilla in the taste and to me, it's amazing.
m - Full bodied stout and low carbonation. Body is thick and creamy; pretty perfect for a big RIS.
o - Overall I thought this was a fantasic stout. If you like vanilla in your stouts than this is one of the best there is. Perfect mouthfeel and like I said, rivals their Vanilla Bean DL. I actually think I liked the nose of the PVW DL better, but the taste better here, so this gets a slightly higher grade due to the way scores are calculated. I think those 2 are neck and neck though and way above the others.
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4.47/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Served alongside the other variants and consumed out of a Dark Lord snifter. Nice. This was another favorite of mine, edged out slightly by the bourbon barrel one. This one was great though.
Beer was black, thin lazy, low retention head, low carbonation.
Hello!!! VANILLA!!! Mild booze.
Beer is like liquid creme brulee, sweet, thick, sticky, coating your entire mouth, sweet sweet sweet, the vanilla is huge in this one, really sticks out, if you like sweet vanilla flavors you'll love this one.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Served alongside the other variants and consumed out of a Dark Lord snifter. Nice. This was another favorite of mine, edged out slightly by the bourbon barrel one. This one was great though.
Beer was black, thin lazy, low retention head, low carbonation.
Hello!!! VANILLA!!! Mild booze.
Beer is like liquid creme brulee, sweet, thick, sticky, coating your entire mouth, sweet sweet sweet, the vanilla is huge in this one, really sticks out, if you like sweet vanilla flavors you'll love this one.
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4.54/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Tried this in a vertical next to the other dark lord variants, what a treat.
The beer has a nice black body with some borne on the sides, not much head or lacing one it settles, but it has lots of body and has a look to it like a thick dark spirit.
The smell has plenty of character with notes from vanilla, cinnamon, cherry, sweet brandy, toffee, molasses, dark barley bread, some alcohol complexity without the heat, and fudge goodness. Very beautiful aroma, very similar to the vanilla bean dark lord that I love so much on tap.
A beautiful taste as well, a lot of dark fruit, burnt cherry, vanilla, cola favors, some great sweet stout favors with just a little bit of roast, some other slick hot chocolate like favors and some spicy brandy notes coming in the aftertaste. It's a nice flavor, but maybe a bit sweet for this to be one of my favorite stouts, this is a serious desert like beer.
Feel is good, not much heat but not a ton of body compared some other dark lords, maybe it's just because it is so slick over the palate, pretty good.
Overall a great and special beer, but I definitely prefer the vanilla bean dark lord overall.
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look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Tried this in a vertical next to the other dark lord variants, what a treat.
The beer has a nice black body with some borne on the sides, not much head or lacing one it settles, but it has lots of body and has a look to it like a thick dark spirit.
The smell has plenty of character with notes from vanilla, cinnamon, cherry, sweet brandy, toffee, molasses, dark barley bread, some alcohol complexity without the heat, and fudge goodness. Very beautiful aroma, very similar to the vanilla bean dark lord that I love so much on tap.
A beautiful taste as well, a lot of dark fruit, burnt cherry, vanilla, cola favors, some great sweet stout favors with just a little bit of roast, some other slick hot chocolate like favors and some spicy brandy notes coming in the aftertaste. It's a nice flavor, but maybe a bit sweet for this to be one of my favorite stouts, this is a serious desert like beer.
Feel is good, not much heat but not a ton of body compared some other dark lords, maybe it's just because it is so slick over the palate, pretty good.
Overall a great and special beer, but I definitely prefer the vanilla bean dark lord overall.
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4.85/5 rDev +2.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Barrel-Aged Dark Lord tasting! Thanks to all the guys in the tasting group who helped make this happen.
The beer is near black with a thin, oily beige head.
The aroma offers vanilla, oak, chocolate, roast, booze. Smells fantastic.
The flavor is other worldly. Beyond good. Shockingly delicious. Huge blast of vanilla with sweet, delectable brandy. The flavor far surpasses the aroma. No doubt whatsoever the taste earns a 5 score.
Great feel. The taste is so amazingly fantastic, making it hard to find any fault with the feel. Smooth, bold, teeming with flavor.
World class. My highest recommendation.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Barrel-Aged Dark Lord tasting! Thanks to all the guys in the tasting group who helped make this happen.
The beer is near black with a thin, oily beige head.
The aroma offers vanilla, oak, chocolate, roast, booze. Smells fantastic.
The flavor is other worldly. Beyond good. Shockingly delicious. Huge blast of vanilla with sweet, delectable brandy. The flavor far surpasses the aroma. No doubt whatsoever the taste earns a 5 score.
Great feel. The taste is so amazingly fantastic, making it hard to find any fault with the feel. Smooth, bold, teeming with flavor.
World class. My highest recommendation.
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Brandy Barrel Aged Dark Lord With Vanilla Beans from 3 Floyds Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
149 ratings
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