Most Most Premium Mescal Barrel-Aged
Gigantic Brewing Company

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque in the glass with a thin, dark khaki head that dissipates to patches with slight lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, bakers chocolate, graham cracker and an undefinable spiciness. Flavor is dark toasted malt, bakers chocolate, mezcal, light dark dried fruit; smokiness in the finish with a slight astringency. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess. I've been a fan of Gigantic's big stouts for a long time and the Most Most Premium recipe has been a fine base for some great variants. Sadly, they are rare in the Seattle market for the last few years, but I found this and the rum variant in So. Cal. It seems like tequila and mezcal would be iffy adjuncts for a stout, but I've had a few over the years and they were all both interesting and quite drinkable. This is another. The mezcal was not distinguishable to me in the aroma, although there was a vague spiciness. In the flavor, the spicy mezcal character comes through quite nicely and very clearly in the finish, making this an unusual, but very enjoyable flavored stout. The mezcal gives a slight astringency/tartness to the finish, but it is line with the taste of the liquor. Good chocolate and char from the malt too. Nicely done. I'm looking forward to the rum.

2022 vintage. drank 6/10/23
Pour is thick and jet black. Dense deep brown head with moderate retention and good lacing.
Nose is smoky mescal, roasted malt, char
Taste is smoky mescal up front, followed quickly by rich chocolate, oak, coffee, roasted malt, hints of dark fruit (raisin, plum). finish is milk chocolate with hints of smoke.
Good beer; the beer + barrel combination works well. I'm not typically a tequila fan, but this is quite nice.