Bo & Luke - White Ash Aged
Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse

2017 Vintage
750 ml bottle poured into a snifter

A- pours black in color with a one-finger creamy khaki head that has good retention after the pour

S- that signature B&L smoke up front gives aromas of campfire, char & a hint of cherry. A wave of dark chocolate with a hint of vanilla, followed by black licorice and sassafras. Plenty of wood on the backend but not necessarily bourbon.

T- rich chocolate and dark fruits up front give notes of figs, raisins and dark cherries. Mid-palate brings out the smoke, although not overbearing; smoke, black licorice and a sassafras like note that I'm guessing is from the ash. The finish gives some woody notes, along with charred malt, more chocolate and a hint of vanilla. Lingers of smoke, chocolate and wood

M- medium body with moderate carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that turns slightly creamy into a warming finish

O- one of my favorite B&L variants, just the right amount of smoke and the ash adds a nice rootbeer-like note

2017 bomber purchased by the wife for our anniversary, along with the white oak and regular versions. Super thick wax on top. On opening, there is a massive hit of smoke perceptible 5 feet away. I did not expect that. Poured hard, room temp to a tulip brings out a dark cola color with a head that basically burns as you pour it. Very settled look, with a little carbonation when swirled. First sips are intense wood char, how one might imagine white ash would taste, plus an immense smokiness like a rauchbier which was again unexpected. A tiny bit of vanilla hits the middle palate with some subtle but perceptible bourbon sweetness. Flaky oaty sort of malt base on the back palate, not a chocolate like baker’s chocolate, but like you popped some raw chocolate malt in your mouth. Mouthfeel is full, brisk, not syrupy, probably a cleansing from the hops which start to show up late into several sips in. Warming comes fast, which not all heavy-hitters bring, so you’re reminded this is a serious drink. Three years on it seems to have it in a good spot. By the second glass, some of the smokiness subsides and is replaced with a bit more of the sweet bourbon.

 

 

2017 bottle, I acquired it directly from the brewery in December of 2018.
Pours a rich dark brown with a hearty khaki head that persists admirably.
Smells lightly smokey and brightly of cherry and raisins. A rich, spicy aroma that is remarkably reminiscent of bourbon without much of any alcohol burn. Much more reminiscent of bourbon aromatically than the original.
Taste hits with a remarkable smooth vanilla and dark roasted grain. Faint barrel character present with some astringency and some char. Bitter black licorice and char on the tail end. Rich and complex flavor with a grainy booziness, soft vanilla and chocolate, and deep dark fruit. The sum is even greater than it's parts for me, this is a decadent beer for fans of whiskey and I think the extra time in the white ash barrel seems to have softened the edges a bit.
Mouthfeel is a little thinner than I like but that is a common complaint of mine with barrel aging. That said it could use a bit more body but it's not watery or anything terrible.
Overall I love this beer dearly. I am going to work to get through what I have left quickly because I think the flavor is at or near it's peak, but if you are a whisky fan you will find a lot to love in this beer that miraculously draws out the complex grainy flavors of many whiskys.

 

 

 

 

Arguably the bets variant that I've had. Ambuana, while good in doses becomes sickeningly cloying after a few sips. Regular is great but this white ash scales up the woodiness that seems to really meld with the potent smokiness.

I really wish they'd release these beers in 12oz bottles though. They're SO BIG and slow drinking that I'm usually offput to cracking one knowing that finishing the bomber will become a chore.

I think 4 packs of each variant would be to their advantage.