Ten Fidy - Double Barrel Aged - Port And Bourbon
Oskar Blues Grill & Brew

On tap at House of Brews. Black with a deep brown head. Smells of chocolate, vinous notes, bourbon and vanilla. Tastes of vinous red wine, chocolate, dry oakiness, some bourbon. Sweetness comes through more on this than the others. Heavy, boozy, but not as boozy as the others. Probably the most dynamic of the double barrel Ten Fidy variants. As it warms, it becomes much sweeter, though, and less appealing than double bourbon.

Taking a walk on the wine side, the bad ass stout series of Oskar Blues slumbers not only in bourbon barrels but also tawny port barrels for a fruitier, tangier, pleasantly tannic version that we've all grown to love otherwise.

The Double Barrel Aged, Port and Bourbon barrel aged TenFidy starts its show with a standard pitch black, slightly bleached masculinity. Just above a creamy tan swath of foam rests an exuberent set of aroams that display chocolate, coffee, charred oak, whisky and vinous spice, tart dark fruit and a hearty dose of molasses. The sweeter not-so-subtle nuances of blackstrap molasses, brown sugar, sorghum and chocolate meet the tastebuds with force.

The secondary flavors unfold on the middle palate with the bourbon speaking a vanilla, caramel, nutty and toasty flavors that skirt across the expected espresso, bittersweet chocolate and coconut base tastes. Later, its the port and all of its savory character that reach a flavor driven crescendo with red wine, sherry spice and a nearly teryaki-like sweet-savory combination. Moderately bitter in finish, a woodsy hop note accompanies a drying tannic taste and texture for a sense of drinkability for balance and complexity.

Lavishly full and long in its finish, the stout closes with bittersweetness, slight tanginess and a brandy-soaked element of grape, blackberry, fig and date. An extended aftertaste of chocolate covered espresso beans, cherries and walnut graciously tow behind.

 

Had on tap. Pitch black with a thick tan foam collar. Smell is barrel lead: port, grape must, bourbon, molasses, and a ton of wood bring along the underlying stout. Still has the classic ten fidy roasted malt, wood chips, dark chocolate, smoke, and vanilla, but now has enhanced aged wood, molasses, bourbon, char, and a finishing port and subtle grape must that rounds out the flavors in a rewarding way. Surprisingly more subtle in the booze compared to other variants I have had, demands the drinkers attention to the nuance. Feel is smooth yet complex: good wood tannins, barrel character, roast and an artful sweetness

 

 

 

5 oz pour on tap. Pours pitch black with a tan head and lacing. Incredibly smooth and easy to drink for such a big beer. Bourbon, oak, vanilla, port, dark fruits, and dark roasted malts blend beautifully in this beer.