Barrel Aged Cherry Cordial Ink
Rhinegeist Brewery

2021 Vintage. Opened 3-4-23.
1 finger beige head that disappears quickly to only a thin ring. Jet black body. Minimal spotty lacing. Aromas of chocolate, wood, and subtle vanilla. Fudge brownie with a light twang of red cherry flavor and a bit of booze in the finish. Very smooth, very little heat at 12.5%. Medium body, silky mouthfeel, low to medium carbonation and a lengthy finish that is sweet but less sweet than anticipated - big plus for my palate. Very Good.

Poured a very dark, purple-brown color, clear; near black and opaque in the glass; decent head, khaki hued, semi-creamy and long-lasting. Complex aroma; blend of cocoa, cherry, aged white oak, lightly charred grain; sweet. The taste follows along the lines of the smell; more chocolate vibe; light booziness tempered with a cherry and chocolate sweetness. Big mouthfeel yet a bit thin for the style; light wood and alcohol astringency.

A generally very good beer but perhaps starting to oxidize a bit. But, on a late note, the flavor does develop a richer, fuller quality as the beer warms up. Bumped my original 'Taste' rating from 4.0 to 4.25.

ABV: 12.5%; pouring temperature: 44 °F; bottling info: Vintage 2021, aged 12 months
Source: Tavour (acquired January 2023)

500 ml bottle into a snifter. 2021 edition, had 2/17/23.

Pours an opaque dark brown, with a quarter inch quickly dissipating foamy head and a few specks of cling. Aromas of bourbon, roasted malt, oak, vanilla, cherry, some chocolate, light lime, light char. Flavors of bourbon, malt, lime- much more than the nose, cherry, vanilla, some oak. Smooth, a very good lighter full body, appropriately carbonated.

The BA base is solid as usual, the lime busts loose in the flavor and the cherry shows fairly well. Very enjoyable.

500 ml bottle, 2021 vintage. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about an inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like cherry, caramel, vanilla, bourbon, chocolate and some roasted malt. Taste is similar to the aroma, but there's the addition of some burnt/charred malt and a hint of citrusy/lime flavor. Barrel character is noticeable but not overpowering. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's coating and a bit creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought this was a pretty good imperial stout, nice balance between cherry cordial and barrel aged imperial stout. Definitely worth picking up, hopefully there's more of this still around the next time I go on a beer run!

 

A - Dark brown pour with darl tan colored lacing.

S - Some malt char and light cherry aroma.

T - Roasty chocolate malt, cherry, oak, Bourbon,

M - Big silky body with some alcohol warming on the backside.

O - Worth the price.

 

 

Got this surprise from @jzeilinger . A very impressive stout, Pours a very attractive near pitch black with a half finger sticky near mocha head, that leaves a few streaks of lace with solid retention. 4

Aroma is deep dark chocolate, cherry, toffee, vanilla bean, and some char. 4

Taste follows dark chocolate, black cherry, vanilla, toffee, and Smokey char but really balanced. 4

Mouthfeel is bigger than average, maybe a little dry, gentle carbonation, and at 12.5% a sipper but very approachable. 4

Overall a fun and unusual BA Imperial Stout thanks @jzeilinger for this bottle. 4