Maiden 2017
Siren Craft Brew

Had the 2015 vintage 2 nights ago and the 2016 last night, enjoying the ride so far.

Unfortunately, they stopped giving specific percentages to break down the composition of this year's blend. Again, this is quite different than the others. Here the bourbon and rum barrels take center stage while the wine plays an interesting supporting role.

This is the sweetest of the three I'll try, up front I tasted raisins, brown sugar, bourbon, and vanilla. There is a mild wine note after a bit that is almost drowned out by rum and oak towards the finish. There might be bit of a tang in there that could be Scotch or Tequila. Rich and satisfying.

 

 

 

L- Quite heavy gold coloured soft plastic covers the top and neck of the bottle. Now I see why, even a carefully handled bottle eagerly makes a gassy pop when the cap is levered off. Handle/pour carefully it's bottle conditioned.
Ultra-dark ruby chestnut, a touch of haze, pours with 5mm tan head.
S- Reminds me of rum and raison ice cream, it's also 'puddingy', and quite liquor-ish.
T- Wow, yep, I haven't read the lable/tasting notes recently so this is blind, but I'm pretty sure this is aged in rum barrels. I got a brief whiff of whisky (in between the rum) before, but now I'm going on record to guess rum barrels.
It's deep, moderately intense, but not a blunderbuss, it's eminently drinkable.
F- Gawd, it's quite rich, deep roasty fruits, it could make the perfect Xmas dessert beer. The liquor note compliments the beer, whereas I favour a whisky note from whisky barrels much less.
O- Certainly interesting, I'd happily drink it again though at the price I prob won't get to. This beer is made for winter, and enjoying in place of a dessert wine. Nothing out of place for me to note, it's an accomplished and different beer.
Bought directly from Siren for home delivery £10/375ml bottle. Bottled on 5/3/2018. No sign of an expiry date anywhere on the bottle.
Ok, now I'll read the bottle lable - hmm that makes it no clearer what the barrels are, it says check the website. '...The 2017 blend contains beer from Rum, Bourbon (including Heaven Hill & Jim Beam), Red Wine (French Oak), Tequila and Auchentoshan Single Malt barrels, along with about 15% made up of fresh Maiden.'
ps. Interesting crown-cap. First time I've seen one that on the underside incorporates a form of plastic plug that projects into the bottle-neck.... hence why it pops!