Stacking Casks #8
Kane Brewing Company

A - Hazy raisin color with thin soapy lacing and no carbonation.

S - Bourbon, molasses, and brown sugar.

T - Bourbon, molasses, brown sugar, and a little bit of dark fruit and a small amount of oak.

M - Thick and light syrupy, leaves a light sugary residue on the lips.

O - This is a well dialed in 'Barley.

 

 

Pours a sort of murky, opaque brown color. Thin, weak head forms on the beer upon being poured, but it quickly dissipates. No residual head remains. Aroma has notes of rich decadent malts, sherry, cognac, oak, wood, brown sugar, crème brûlée with some lighter notes of dark fruit. Its one of those beers where you just want to keep smelling it because it is so good.

Taste follows the nose with loveley notes of decadent malts, brown sugar, crème brûlée, oak, leather, cognac, sherry, dark fruits and a hint of rye. Its decadent, complex, and rich - one of those beers you slowly sip, experiencing and hoping against hope that your glass never empties. Feel is Medium bodied, smooth, silky. Moderate carbonation - a bit more carbonation than I expected for a beer like this - but it works and I actually liked it where it is. Dry throughout continuing through the finish.

Overall this is an unbelievably delicious beer. A beer you never forget drinking.

Fairly unassuming appearance: minimal head production and retention, and a dark brown semi-murky body.

Nose is potent and swimming in whiskey and cognac notes. Almost lurking beneath are lusher notes of caramel, wheat, pepper, honey, and leather, along with slightly brighter notes of pear and apple.

It all comes together on the palate brilliantly. Tasting notes of apple, honey, leather, cognac, whiskey, and brown sugar appear in that order, not so much in waves or thirds but almost in discrete moments, each player stepping forth to sing a line as the chorus continues in the background. Additional whispers of prune, raisin, cinnamon, and chocolate.

Smooth, approachable, slow sipper. Full bodied but not chewy; bold but not aggressive. It's akin to sipping on an incredibly easy digestif. Long finish.

2022 release. Poured from 500 ML bottle into a Kane pub glass at 52°. It's a muddy, dark cola color. The half finger of foamy, light mocha-colored head fizzled away very quickly leaving no lacing. The smell is rich with toffee, raisin, plum, brown sugar, red wine grape, a whiff of oak, and strong bourbon and rye. Initially, the taste is incredibly sweet and complex. The bourbon and rye are noticeable in the first sip but the barrel sweetness is accentuated by the fruity taste of raisin/fig and brown sugar. But that's just the beginning. The Royer XO Cognac adds musty notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, oak, leather, tobacco, and a hint of pear. Every time I sip it I taste something different. As it breathes in the glass the initial, almost cloying, sweetness gives way to more refined dryness on the palate. Its mouth feel is thick and plush - not quite syrupy but with lots of body. The 14% ABV is warming but amazingly subtle. I barely notice it at first but after a few sips the alcohol level is undeniable. Overall, this English Barleywine is truly a masterpiece. My suggestion is to sip it very slowly and enjoy its evolution in the glass.

The review below is from a blind tasting:

Poured at fridge temp into my favorite glass. Pours a murky brown with the thinnest layer of head. The nose is intense and boozy. Barrel seems to strike first. Wine/brandy/sherry influence right away. Vinous. Also picking up figs, plums, leather, and wood. A touch of caramel, but it's soft. Wonderful nose.

Taste follows the nose, generally. Definitely some wine/port influence here. I'd be shocked if it wasn't brandy/sherry/wine barrel aged. Plums, raisins, brown sugar, wood, a slight nuttiness, and rich toffee. Wow, is this good! Intense!

ABV seems a bit on the high side. I would say 13%.

 

Muddy brown with a short lived head. Not a looker but who cares?

Oh damn this is freaking great. The cognac addition is definitely prominent. Butterscotch pudding, vanilla, toffee, molasses and more all topped with boozy figs, apples, dates, and pears. There is also smokey, oaky leather and tobacco at the edges and the finish, but mostly this is a sweet, boozy fruit showcase.

I love what the extended time in barrels does. The character added is just so rich and deep, layer upon layer of intrigue, much more than just a shot of booze. I get more cognac than whiskey which is a nice change of pace, but both are definitely there. This is right in my wheelhouse, hope I get try more barleywine from these folks. I'd pay a lot for a few unsupervised hours in their barrel room.