Incantations (2023)
Burlington Beer Co.

Pours an almost black small fizzy head that makes an even layer then fades at a med pace, a bit of lacing, pitch black beer with decent legs

Nose brings lots of barrel, whiskey barrel juice, vanilla, oak, layers of vanilla, a bit of dark chocolate cocoa, a mild smoky roasty note, black malt that hints at acrid but doesn't get there, nougat, caramel

Taste has some of that old ale smooth waxy oxidation, with plenty of barrel again, raw oak, vanilla and more vanilla, whiskey, spicy rye as well, some dark chocolate, more roasted malt notes with a bit of black malt that again doesn't quite get to acrid but also brings a hint smoky, creamy milk chocolate into a little coffee milk, nougat, baking spices, buttery oak, sweet semi sticky finish

Mouth is full bod but creamy and lush, a bit velvety, med carb, very mild smooth alcohol

Overall quite nice

 

Poured from the 500 ml bottle dated 2023, into the test glass.
A - Espresso brown, with a thin mocha ring clinging to the glass during the experience. As it was being poured there was a light sheen that almost always points to sweetness, lets see.
S - Cocoa, dark grains, black pepper, maybe from the rye? Touches of vanilla, toffee, char, and the slightest bit of Anise
T - Well all of the above, for certain, add the hint of phenol, alcohol and that sums this offering up
M - Slick on the palate, sweet start is quickly cut by a pepery spicy bite that stays for some time. Finish is semi sweet with the barrel notes keeping things in that camp.
O - A very good Rye stout, treated well in Rye barrels. The offering is smooth and dare I say well balanced

Way, way too much. Think boozy motor oil. I know there are those that would enjoy this as a sipper but not in my wheelhouse at all. Just not drinkabkr for me.

 

Grabbed 500ml (2023) at Cheers. Served in my Tap Room snifter at 55 degrees F. Nice dark brew with thick if brief tan head. FWIW… head only began to form after half glass, and my increasing push on the pour. Held to light after head dissipated revealed nice mahogany/burnt orange colors; nice residual lacing throughout glass and a thin rim halo. Very attractive throughout sipping the beer.
Nose was an explosion of rye, oak, vanilla, dark malts (?Rye??), even some dark chocolate. WOW!! This continued from start to finish. Really impressive.
Taste mirrored but there was a touch of bitterness not noticed in aroma. Delicious and (as hoped/to my taste) nicely Rye vs Bourbon forward.
I have mixed feelings about the Body. Good news- It was nicely smooth and silky; not sticky at all. Carbonation was present, soft but reasonably bright. Bad news- It had a really distracting alcohol burn that merged with the fairly soft carbonation and produced a distasteful burn on tip of the tongue. Really surprised at only 10.5%.
Overall this was a really good BA Rye Imp Stout with a lot of a great highlights. Really good!
However a very few unlikeable elements resulted in a so-so drinking experience.
Expect I’ll buy a few more… but will definitely cellar for awhile.