White Russian - Apple Brandy Barrel Aged
Aardwolf Brewing Company

I received a bottle from @roguer in the NBS BIF #13. Poured into an Aardwolf stemless glass also generously provided by @roguer. It pours nearly black with a creamy, medium khaki/light mocha head and lacing. It has a fragrant nose featuring ripe apple, raisin, molasses, and roasted malt. It smells a lot like an apple pie. There are also hints of Calvados and freshly-brewed coffee in the smell. The taste opens with lots of apple and a really solid, roasty base stout. At mid-palate the brandy becomes quite evident and it reminds me of my favorite apple liqueur, Blanca de Navarra. As it warms I'm also tasting coffee at the finish. It's quite sweet and definitely a sipper. The mouth feel is a bit thin with moderate carbonation and the sweetness hides the 10% ABV. Overall, this variant of White Russian is well-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable.

Very good head production, and decent retention and lacing for the style.

Apple brandy is very strong on the nose, even from the pour. The nose features little else that manages to come through, although I do pick up notes of cream and coffee. Careful inspection yields notes of brown sugar, chocolate, and molasses.

Extremely smooth and milky on the palate. The apple brandy is front and center (including nice oaky notes), but the sharp fruity booziness doesn't in any way detract from the creamy richness of the White Russian base beer - which is very impressive. Creamy and smooth, with notes of coffee, milk, chocolate, and molasses dancing with the apple brandy.

This is a home run! Apple brandy barrel aging can be hit or miss, and on a beer like White Russian, I didn't think it was a natural fit (like, say, rum or bourbon). I was wrong.

On tap at the brewery taproom in Jacksonville.
Pours with an opaque blackish body and a thin tan head.
Enticing aroma promises chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and dark bread. The flavor delivers something a bit different, largely due to the emergence of the brandy barrel influence. Great balance and complexity.