Part IV
Rushing Duck Brewing Company

 

Received in a box exchange with @cavedave.

This beer is definitely not a looker as it pours a muddy brown, "dirty" haze, and not all that carbonated. However, it does it leave an oil slick down the sides of the tulip.

The aromas are somewhat muted, but multi-layered. There is cherry, plum, bourbon, sweet tobacco, toffee, brown bread, that Belgian candi sugar almost molasses stuff, then light oak and vanilla.

The taste is an assault and it has that flavor morphing thing happening where no one sip is the same as the last (which I enjoy). Slightly spicy alcohol, but not really announcing the 12%. It runs the gamut...warm, bitter, spicy, sweet, fruity, herbal with everybody taking turns at the lead without any conflict - it just...changes as it goes.

Low carbonation, fairly drying. Thick, not syrupy, with a bold finish.

Not for the faint of heart, but was a fantastic beer. Glad to have had the chance to enjoy this one.

I had this on draught at the brewery on Rushing Duck's 5th Anniversary celebration. It pours a turbid medium brown color with cola hues when held to the light, and a foamy, ecru-colored head and lacing. The smell is delectable: caramel, brown sugar, and raisin; I detect no alcohol aroma. The taste largely follows the nose but there is a discernible taste of molasses in addition to the sweet malt, brown sugar, caramel, and raisin. For a barrel-aged blend, Part IV is surprisingly delicate. The alcohol is present but doesn't distract from the wonderful blend of flavors. This beer is creamy and viscous with mild carbonation. For 12.1% it is surprisingly drinkable. Overall, like the other Rushing Duck blends, Part IV is delicious and thoroughly satisfying. This is adventuresome brewing at its best!

 

Not a beauty, it is sort of a murky plum-tinged reddish brown color, with a thin wisp of beige foam that leaves a bare cap after retreating.

Full aroma. Barrel notes are first to hit, bourbon and alcohol spice, followed closely by delicious dark fruits. I get cherry, and plum, and these scents are joined by tobacco, candi sugar, caramel, brown bread, and light hints of vanilla and oak.

Full flavored for sure. Strong spicy alcohol and bourbon lead the parade, joined by all the flavors of the aroma in full attack. Not a balanced attack either, as all of the flavors take turns being the bad ass of the bunch as it warms. Bitter notes join the fun here, making this taste complex and semi dry. Some sips are full of sweet and fruit, others are strongly bitter and alcoholic, and the end of sip ranges from warm and cherry and lightly dry to bitter and herbal spice. The BSDA notes are the only ones I recognize in this blend. Very delcious.

Light carb. full body, highly viscous and substantial, with a killer finish that rings the bell.

Major taste explosion of a beer. It isn't for the faint of palate. Rushing Duck keeps pushing the envelope for its grateful fans. Highly recommend this beer, get it if you can.