Mr. Sandman - Irish Whiskey Barrel
River North Brewery

Last new bier for this relaxed Sunday out in The 'Zebo.... Another gift from daughter Caitlin, a 375ml (12.7oz) bottle. Says "Vintage 2021" and "Release No. 1" on the label.

Threw a hard pour into my sniftah.... it's an opaque, dense, dark brown color. Can't tell what the carbo sitch looks like at all, and the head was initially sitting at 1/2" but has ebbed to a bare covering layer. Said topping is fine, thin and beige, with light lacing. The nose has some roasty malts, dark choco, molasses and whiskey action. Body is nicely medium to medium-plus, with a lovely, smooth feel going down.

Flavor has more roasty malts, some vanilla, hints of caramelized brown sugar, dark choco and the whiskey lurking in the background. The finish has some floral, earthy hop notes. Solid all around! Cheers!!

4.25/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

2404

Pitch black with a bubbly brown cap. Robust whiskey and rustic oak meets rugged earthy malt, char, bittersweet chocolate, and tobacco in the nose. Taste adds leather, black strap molasses, a hint of anise and a kiss of licorice, the roasted nature of the base comes out stronger than the booze on the finish which is an artful touch. Feel is rugged and full, yet not super heavy, almost sneaky frothy, certainly chewy. Good on a cooler night or St. Patrick's day, paired great with corned beef! Slainte!

Look: very dark, nice foamy tan head, with some lacing. The smell is roasted malts and Irish whiskey. The taste is where this baby really shines. It's got good roasted malt character, coffee, and a big Irish whiskey taste on the finish.

The 12.5 ABV seems understated, but I'm probably psychologically comparing this to the expected kick of straight whiskey. This is much milder of course, but this beer has more pure whiskey character than just about any other barrel aged stout that I've had. It seemed like I was drinking a shot of Irish whiskey mixed in with a good solid stout.

Terrific stuff. One of my favorite barrel aged stouts of recent years.

My first Irish whiskey barrel aged beer? Guessing this was not a second use barrel. Third, or more?

I don't know Irish whiskey at all, but the strong spirit notes I'm getting are unique to me. Sweet overall, sugary with hints of cherry and smoke. Maybe a little cinnamon? No soft vanilla but there is an oaky finish. More barrel than beer, but there was some rich chocolate and a bit of anise. Really dang good overall.

12.7 oz. Bottle
Vintage: 2021
Release No. 1
Cases Bottled: 125

Don't see too many of these River North higher ABV beers around.

Poured into a chalice a pretty nice dark brown/black color, nice carbonation, with a nice quick/thick/creamy tan head, which also leaves a medium size oil slick, and some sticky lacing behind. The nose is malty, hoppy, with some pretty nice, chocolate/toffee notes, slight coffee, vanilla, licorice, some roastyness. The taste is pretty nice, malty, hoppy, pretty nice touch of chocolate/toffee, some coffee, vanilla, licorice, roasty. Full Body, ABV is hidden very nicely, with a slight dry/bitter finish, a pretty tasty complex brew, and a very nice sipper. Overall, very nice, glad to see it around.