Ruthless Mercy (Batch 2)
Heist Brewery - NoDa

Appearance: Pours pitch black with a tan blanket that quickly fades to a collar; very leggy but no lacing

Smell: The Bourbon barrels make a strong impression with oak, caramel, chocolate and vanilla tones complementing; a touch of spice cake joins, as well

Taste: Bourbon forward with spice cake flavors powerful; underneath, the sweeter elements of caramel, chocolate and vanilla emerge, through the middle; smooth Bourbon flavors bring home the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy with no carbonation

Overall: The Heist barrel-aged program is just killing it; let them mature for three to six months and they are fine drinking

A 500ML bottle that’ll be my first taste of this brewery. Evidently they threw a couple different barrels at this stout.

The pour is black, liquid iron, no head. The nose is crafted of heavy bourbon.

Ruthless Mercy (Batch 2) lashes the palate with hot, weighty, tasty bourbon. It consists of heavy booze, fresh roasted leather, char, oak, charred oak. Behind the seriousness is sweet vanilla, malts forever, a strong if not distinguished base. High on the thick & heavy scale; nevertheless, I am envisioning myself sipping a series of these bottles over six or right hours. Ah. That’ll keep me warm tonight.

This beer is all about the barrels, but the beer is stout enough (ha!) to carry both of them. An excellent experience.

500 ml bottle into a snifter. A 2023 release, had 1/12/24.

Pours near black and opaque, with a brief head and a little oily smear. Aromas of vanilla, bourbon, roasted malt, caramel, oak, light leather, light wheat. Flavors of strong bourbon, roasted malt, vanilla, oak, caramel, leather, light wheat. Smooth, a solid full body, appropriately carbonated.

Really enjoyable. Strong, delicious barrels, lots of vanilla and oak, and a solid base beer that stands up to the barrels. Wish I had another.