Yodeler (Laphroiag Barrel Aged)
Strange Roots Experimental Ales

500 mL bottle to shaker, dark brown, minimal head and retention. Nose all peat and smoke. Taste a bit overwhelming on the peat, which was expected somewhat. Above average body and below average carbonation.

500 ml bottle into snifter; no bottle dating, but is a recent release. Pours hazy very dark brown color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a small cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of huge raisin, prune, plum, fig, date, cherry, berry, apricot, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, brown bread, leather, peat smoke, brine, tobacco, and toasted oak; with lighter notes of chocolate, nuttiness, hay, pepper, funk, vanilla, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Incredible aromas with fantastic complexity and balance of fruity/light funky yeast, Scotch barrel, and dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Taste of huge raisin, prune, plum, fig, date, cherry, berry, apricot, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, brown bread, leather, peat smoke, brine, tobacco, and toasted oak; with lighter notes of chocolate, nuttiness, hay, pepper, funk, vanilla, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Light peppery Brett and scotch/oak spiciness; with slight tangy tartness on the finish. Lingering notes of dark fruit, cherry, berry, apricot, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, brown bread, leather, peat smoke, brine, tobacco, toasted oak, light funk/pepper, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/light funky yeast, Scotch barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; with a great malt/tart/spiciness balance, and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Light dryness from tart/tangy/spicy notes and carbonation. Medium-high carbonation and fairly full body; with a very smooth, creamy/silky, and slightly slick/acidic/tannic balanced mouthfeel that is awesome. Minimal warming alcohol for 13.2%, with zero barrel booziness. Overall this is an insane Belgian barleywine style! All around incredible complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity/light funky yeast, Scotch barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; very smooth and dangerously easy to sip on for the huge ABV. Very rich and complex on Brett and malt flavors, with a perfect balance of the peaty/briney Scotch barrels. Very intense on the Scotch notes in the aromas initially, but balances out as it warms up. A highly amazing offering.