Barrel Reserve Single Origin
4 Hands Brewing Co.

4.33/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This one pours a very dark black color, with a small head, and a little bit of lacing

This smells like freshly roasted malt, spicy bourbon heat, darkly roasted coffee, blueberry skin, and oak vanillin.

This obviously has pastry undertones, but the overtone is a burly Russian Imperial Stout. This isn't as sweet as it could have been, as the heavily roasted base and dark coffee tones balance any sweetness there might have been. The blueberry is subtle, and increases in mild intensity as it warms. It mostly comes off as blueberry skin, actually. The barrel is there, adding some leathery and spiky bourbon character, along with a hit of spiced oak.

This is prickly, but richly bodied enough, with just a hint of booze to it.

This is definitely a big step up from the regular Single Origin. Everything feels a bit more rounded out.

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4.38/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

This brew, from a tall bomber, is a deep brown, black beer. Wonderful look, with a cream colored head. The aroma out of this world...vanilla, cream, booze, malt, nut meat, a bit of savory spice, and earthiness...sweetness and toasted sugar. Wow. The taste follows-through....more balanced than the aroma anticipated, but very thick and velvety. Wonderful.

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