Double Barrel Skeleton Key - Rum & Rye
Bellwoods Brewery

A- OMG....this pours out like a tar or a used oil into my tulip glass.....super dark in color....like cola brown, almost black! There is little to no head here, only a very thin ring around the inside of my glass....it is dark tan in color itself. I noticed a smidgen of foam that rose to the top after the pour that creates a wispy thin swirl around the middle of the liquid. I dont detect much carbonation and the lacing is pretty much non existent, however, there is a good layer of residue left behind on the inside of the glass after a swirl....almost like wood particulate. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I am quite excited by the appearance!

S- This is very boozy and almost knocked my socks off after the initial smell! Heavy rum and whisky aromas dominate the nostrils, followed in by wood char, dark chocolate, licorice root, dark toffee/demarara dark brown sugar that has been cooked down, dark roast mocha, boozy dark chocolate covered cherry, some pungent rye grain spiciness, and even some muted sarsaparilla and cola bean....just an interesting boozy spice!

T- Here we go! Oh wow, this is of incredibly smooth coating chocolate, both dark in flavor and milky in texture! Plenty of warm boozy rum and rye to go around as well, however, this isn't as in my face as I thought it would be....on the palate anyhow. There are underlying flavors of dark chocolate covered cherry, charred wood barrel, spiced pie crust, dark fruits like raisins and even some prune, grainy Earthy yeast, heavy cream, chocolate liqueur, brandy bean, burnt toffee/brown sugars....the finish is Earthy, dry, yet yeasty, balanced, and sweet/savoury at the same time. Truly delightful!

M/O- This is full bodied, and super creamy overall, with velvety carbonation providing a very flavorful delicacy! I find the alcohol to be super well balanced, considering this is as powerful as some California Cab Sauv, yet, it is super smooth and I really am engaged in the spiced rum/whisky barrel nature....sweet and spicy all the same. This is best enjoyed perhaps with a friend who can appreciate such a delectable brew, as it is so rich that even half of a pint is more than enough....however!.....I will find a way to finish this one off on my own....promise! One of the great stouts I've ever had!

Another version of Double Barrel Skeleton Key. I had the rum and bourbon, so excited to try this rum and rye. Poured at fridge temp. Pours black with little head. Nose is dominated by rum. Also getting chocolate, toffee, licorice, and cherries. The taste nicely follows the nose. Tons of rum, roasted malts, toffee, brown sugar, licorice, spice, nutmeg, cinnamon, chocolate, and cherries. So flavorful. Mouthfeel is thick and creamy. A bit boozy, but super smooth. Overall, this is amazing.