Dark Arts - Scotch Barrel-Aged
Wicked Weed Brewing

Excellent head production, as expected. Good retention as well, especially taking into account the barrel aging and ABV.

Surprisingly wine-like aroma, with the Scotch and Brett coming together in a unique expression. Though the Scotch dominates, other stout tones are present beneath, including molasses, licorice, red grape, toast, and brown sugar.

Remarkably smooth and surprisingly sweet on the palate. Rich tones of roasted barley (amplified by the Scotch), chocolate, and molasses; light char; brown sugar, toffee, and caramel; Scotch and oak, growing throughout the sip.

Very dark brown on the pour, black in the glass. 1 fingers width light tan head, decent retention. Aroma is huge roast, huge malty characters, moderate to mild scotch barrel notes. It actually smells more like a well aged Old Ale than a huge ABV imperial stout. I get essentially zero wild/brett characters. Aroma is very nice though. Taste is much more stout like. Prominent roasted malt, semisweet cocoa, some oaky notes on the finish. Scotch notes are very subtle which i actually appreciate as I don’t love scotch bomb beers. The brett notes are definitely present and are, odd. It’s actually hard for me to say if they add or detract from the beer, but I’m leaning the latter. Not sure the funk is really needed or necessary. Its an interesting flavor profile, not my favorite but good. Mouthfeel is on the thinner side, it has an elevated carbonation, probably development from 2 years in the bottle with the wild strains. ABV is exceptionally well masked, but it’s just too thin. Overall, this is not a bad beer but it was pretty disappointing. I’ve had several years vintages of Dark Arts and have loved them all (the tequila barrel ones in particular were just absolutely fantastically good), but this one just sort of fell flat.


4.5/4.25/4/3.5/4

 

L - 2-finger hazelnut head slowly bubble down like a cauldron of lava, eventually leaving a crown of brown lace atop a pitch black body.

S - barrel, vanilla, caramel, molasses, dark fruit, chocolate. Great nose.

T - taste the barrel first. Peat, smoke, bonfire ashes, vanilla, then general warming booze. Next comes dark chocolate, tobacco, molasses, and loads of dark fruit. Moderate-low bitterness. Low sweetness. Moderate booziness.

F - medium-full body with perfect carb.

O - a monster in disguise.

DLD 2019. Taster.