Silk and Pearls – Bourbon Barrel (2024)
Reuben's Brews

Silk and Pearls – Bourbon Barrel (2024)Silk and Pearls – Bourbon Barrel (2024)
Beer Geek Stats
From:
Reuben's Brews
 
Washington, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
ABV:
14%
Score:
+9 ratings needed
Avg:
4.24 | pDev: 0%
Ratings:
1 | reviews: 1
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 03, 2025
Added:
Dec 24, 2024
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  0
Roughly two years ago now, our friends from Downtown Sprits in Seattle came to us with an idea. They wanted us to age one of our strong beers in two different whiskey barrels and then release them together as a fun way to compare subtle differences in character.
We loved the idea, and in mutual celebration of our 12th anniversaries, decided to finish a batch of barrel-aged barleywine in two different casks from their exclusive single barrel whiskey program: a Woodinville bourbon barrel and a Castle & Key rye barrel. Named after the traditional and modern 12th anniversary gifts—silk and pearls.
This is the Woodinville bourbon variety.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Photo of LiquidAmber
Reviewed by LiquidAmber from Washington

4.24/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured into a Reuben's Brew small snifter. Like the rye version, this was a surprise gusher; sneaky, nothing happened for a few seconds but when I reached for my glass, it foamed over. Didn't lose to much. I purposely did not age this because of the last gusher, but I guess I never learn. Pours a very dark walnut brown with little light transmission in the glass and a thin khaki head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dry caramel malt, dates, well dried plums and toffee; a bit boozy. Flavor is caramel malt, toffee, dates, raisins, whiskey and dried plums; somewhat sweet and rather hot. Medium bodied with moderate creaminess, nice mouth feel, although some sharp carbonation, which is not unexpected at this point. .Like the rye version, this resembles Three Ryes Men, which is a nice profile. This version strikes me as hotter and a bit more whiskey forward, but it's satisfactory. Once again despite its attempt to escape the bottle on opening, there is no evidence of infection. The heat and high carbonation are a minor drawback, but quite a nice, fruity bourbon barrel, English style barleywine. Enjoyable.
Sep 03, 2025