Early Bird Special - Whiskey Barrel-Aged
Aardwolf Brewing Company

Good head production for the style, and decent retention. Dark brown head sits atop a dark, nutty, ebony body.

Aroma features everything you would expect: cinnamon (along with a touch of heat), coffee, vanilla, and whiskey, the latter definitely present but not overpowering. Chocolate and roast from the malt are also present, not quite getting washed out by the adjuncts and barrel aging.

Flavor profile nails it: whiskey and roasted barley up front, but by the second third, smooth vanilla adds a sweet, decadent layer, accompanied by tones of brown sugar. The cinnamon comes on primarily in the back third along with coffee, replacing the vanilla, and adding some heat, which is accentuated by the alcoholic heat of the whiskey barrels. Finish is moderately dry but surprisingly long, with both dry spice and an evaporating alcohol heat from the tongue and palate. Checks every box.

Smooth and thick mouthfeel; decent amount of heat, with the whiskey carrying more booziness than a 9.1% ABV stout would on its own. A full bodied sipper, but very easy drinking.

Reviewed from notes. Poured from a 22 oz. bottle into an El Catador Barrel-Aged glass.

A: Dark brown, essentially opaque, and minimal visible carbonation. A thin tan head fades to a ring of foam fairly quickly.

S: Whiskey and some oak. Cinnamon, vanilla, and roasted malts. Modest coffee, milder chocolate. There’s a bit of cola or root beer aspect here too – though that might be the summation of the adjuncts. Decent; perhaps I'd wish the coffee was turned up a bit.

T: Whiskey and cinnamon. Vanilla and coffee – more than the nose. Roasted malts, and a good amount of toasted sweetness as well. Maybe it's just an amalgam of the other flavors, but this gives an impression of maple sweetness as well. A touch of chocolate from the malts as well. More whiskey and dry cinnamon in the hang.

M: Not watery, but towards the lighter side for an imperial stout. Average carbonation sensation for style, and while the alcohol heat seems integrated the whiskey is obvious.

O: Enjoyable enough. Nothing I’d actively go seek out again, but it’s solid.

22 oz. bottle

Pours dark amber red black with a creamy tan khaki colored foam head. Smells like woody oak, whiskey, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, dark roasted malts, rich chocolate, caramel, dark toffee, dark molasses, some cherry, dried fruits, with earthy herbal grassy pine. Tastes like immense rich chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, roasted coffee, dark roasty toasted malts, molasses, dark toffee, caramel, charred oak barrel, whiskey, some cherry, dried fruit, with earthy herbal grassy pine. Feels medium bodied, creamy with moderate carbonation. Overall a really nice whiskey barrel aged imperial stout with vanilla, cinnamon and coffee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOW
L- pitch black brownish tan head
S- chocolate coffee a little cinnamon and whiskey
T- cinnamon coffee whiskey and chocolate blend so well
F nice carb . Not extremely thick
O- very nice first beer from aardwolf. Looking forward more. Great flavors great balance

Shared by ygtbsm94. Thanks Brad.

Near black body with a thin beige cap. Aromas of cinnamon, last, vanilla. Cinnamon is the prevalent character in both the aroma and flavor. Whiskey and oak presence is medium and elegant. Mild sweetness. Chocolate and vanilla. Nice.

Shhhh***Tttt man, this is amazing. Wonderful vanilla and cinnamon, on the thinner side but very drinkable. Definition of a morning stout. Would buy all the time

Interesting stout. Had a bit of a tobacco flavor mixed in with the thick malty beer. Not a huge barrel presence but enough of it shines through. I'd say trade for this beer, but don't give up the world.

Bomber poured into a tulip. The brew appears black in color with a khaki head. The cap fades leaving some spotty lace on the glass.

The aroma is pleasant smelling of coconut initially but then a tangy thing is present before the whiskey component comes into play blending with a raw oak feel, mild vanilla, chocolate and cinnamon spice.

The tastes has a little tang aspect then bourbon upfront before notes of toasted coconut, caramel, vanilla, cinnamon and a raw oak tannin feel.

This is medium to light bodied with a moderate amount of carbonation. Overall I think this beer is just OK at best. I dont know where the "tang" is coming from...if its a product of the barrel, coffee or bacterial but it isnt that desireable. This beer was a real let down to me because the base beer that I had on tap at the brewery was incredible and the thought of barrel aging it sounded amazing. Unfortunately something has gone awry here and its not good.

 

 

 

 

This is my 5000th different beer. Aardwolf and the team there have made some incredible beers. I have been waiting for a long time to get to have this one. Many more great beers to follow.

A: a fairly aggressive poor yields a half finger tan head that dissipates somewhat quickly. Sipping leaves scattered lacing. The color is near jet black with only a slight tinge of light passing through.

S: aroma bounces between whiskey and roasted malt/vanilla. A little light but my expectation was a beer that would be subtle and not overwhelming and that's how the aroma comes off. It's inviting and lets you know this one is barrel aged without you having to prep for extreme booze.

T: how many barrel aged beers that actually taste barrel aged can you drink one after the other... For me it's very few. This beer has the whiskey, vanilla, brown sugar, roasted coffee you want in a breakfast stout none of which overwhelm. Nothing bitter here with a great sugar and coffee after taste. So easy to drink. I love the Samoa cookie reference. It's right on.

M: smooth, perfect degree of carbonation. Not to oily on the palate. Definitely let this warm up a bit.

Overall: only disappointing comment about this beer is that I am sad to say I bought 7 and gave away 3. Wish I had those back. Nothing extreme, hits all the check offs for a breakfast stout that has been barrel aged.