Dragon's Milk Reserve - Double BBA / Double Vanilla (2021 Reserve 2)
New Holland Brewing Company
- From:
- New Holland Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- Imperial Pastry Stout
Ranked #715 - ABV:
- 12.3%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #6,185 - Avg:
- 4.16 | pDev: 7.45%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 37
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 17, 2025
- Added:
- May 29, 2021
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 3
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
The second Reserve of 2021 brings barrel character to forefront, complemented by two separate additions of carefully selected vanilla beans. First aged for three months in bourbon barrels with whole Madagascar vanilla beans, the beer was imparted with a rich and creamy vanilla sweetness. The beer was then moved to a fresh set of bourbon barrels for another three months, this time paired with Indonesian vanilla beans. The flavors of toasted oak from the barrel are amplified, married with subtle smoky, earthy, and fruity notes from the vanilla. The result is nothing short of legendary.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by SpdKilz:
Rated by SpdKilz from Illinois
4.32/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Apr 06, 2022
4.32/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Apr 06, 2022
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Whyteboar from Michigan
4.09/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The pour is stout black with a very light brown head that reaches the dizzying heights of 1 cm.
The taste is better than most of the variants, probably the double barrel treatment. I got the vanilla, smoother than most vanilla additive stouts. The base stout was very present, so that was good. The barrel was, for a Dragon’s Milk, quite present which is different.
The feel is the traditional thin body, not ideal but not unexpected.
Jul 17, 2025The taste is better than most of the variants, probably the double barrel treatment. I got the vanilla, smoother than most vanilla additive stouts. The base stout was very present, so that was good. The barrel was, for a Dragon’s Milk, quite present which is different.
The feel is the traditional thin body, not ideal but not unexpected.
Reviewed by elNopalero from Michigan
3.35/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
3.35/5 rDev -19.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.25
New Holland's Dragon's Milk Reserve
Double bourbon barrel aged stout with Madagascar & Indonesian vanilla beans (2021-2)
12.3%
Enjoyed at the source, November 2024.
Pours a black brown with thin lacing. Low aroma at the start, with a harsh/hard landing on the sip. As it opens the notes mellow out with more of the barrel presence emerging, although it never quite delivers on the promise.
Dec 27, 2024Double bourbon barrel aged stout with Madagascar & Indonesian vanilla beans (2021-2)
12.3%
Enjoyed at the source, November 2024.
Pours a black brown with thin lacing. Low aroma at the start, with a harsh/hard landing on the sip. As it opens the notes mellow out with more of the barrel presence emerging, although it never quite delivers on the promise.
Reviewed by Ozzylizard from Pennsylvania
4.05/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
4.05/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Dragon’s Milk Reserve 2021 Reserve 2 from New Holland Brewing. Picked up at Shangy’s, Emmaus, PA. $ 4.80 (Including tax)/12 oz bottle ($ 0.40/oz) on 18/09/21. On room temperature shelf at store, stored at 37 degrees at home. Reviewed 10/09/22. Note that I use DD/MM/YY protocol.
Date on shoulder too blurred to read, but on label “2021 Reserve 2”. Served at 54.3 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King Snifter. Final temperature 60.4 degrees.
Appearance – 4.
First pour – Deep Amber (SRM 15), clear.
Body – Brown (SRM 20), opaque. When rear-lite, same but translucent khaki at the edges. Loose sediment in bottom of bottle.
Head – Average (Maximum 2.3 cm, aggressive center pour), dun, high-density, average retention, diminishing to a 0.4 to 0.7 cm crown fed by effervescence.
Lacing – Good. Wide, tight band of nearly microscopic bubbles with the upper edge breaking away to form a bit of torn curtain.
Aroma – 4 – Moderate chocolate malt. No hops, no yeast. As it further warms, vanilla comes through.
Flavor – 4.25 – Begins slightly sweet with fruity chocolate and caramel malt. As it warms, vanilla becomes more evident. No ethanol (12.3 % ABV, as marked on label) aroma or taste. Noticeable gastric warming. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Not really getting any bourbon or oakiness from the barrels.
Palate – 3.5 – Thin, watery, lightly fizzy carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 The thin body almost ruins this stout for me, ‘cause it ain’t very stout at all. However, this is one of the rare vanilla aged brews in which I can actually taste the vanilla and at least imagine the aroma as well. The lacing is surprisingly good for 12.3% ABV – must be a ton of protein remaining. The ethanol burn is weak enough to be enjoyable. At the price point I paid, it’s worth picking up a four-pack or two.
Sep 10, 2022Date on shoulder too blurred to read, but on label “2021 Reserve 2”. Served at 54.3 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King Snifter. Final temperature 60.4 degrees.
Appearance – 4.
First pour – Deep Amber (SRM 15), clear.
Body – Brown (SRM 20), opaque. When rear-lite, same but translucent khaki at the edges. Loose sediment in bottom of bottle.
Head – Average (Maximum 2.3 cm, aggressive center pour), dun, high-density, average retention, diminishing to a 0.4 to 0.7 cm crown fed by effervescence.
Lacing – Good. Wide, tight band of nearly microscopic bubbles with the upper edge breaking away to form a bit of torn curtain.
Aroma – 4 – Moderate chocolate malt. No hops, no yeast. As it further warms, vanilla comes through.
Flavor – 4.25 – Begins slightly sweet with fruity chocolate and caramel malt. As it warms, vanilla becomes more evident. No ethanol (12.3 % ABV, as marked on label) aroma or taste. Noticeable gastric warming. No dimethylsulfide or diacetyl. Not really getting any bourbon or oakiness from the barrels.
Palate – 3.5 – Thin, watery, lightly fizzy carbonation.
Final impression and summation: 4 The thin body almost ruins this stout for me, ‘cause it ain’t very stout at all. However, this is one of the rare vanilla aged brews in which I can actually taste the vanilla and at least imagine the aroma as well. The lacing is surprisingly good for 12.3% ABV – must be a ton of protein remaining. The ethanol burn is weak enough to be enjoyable. At the price point I paid, it’s worth picking up a four-pack or two.
Reviewed by TreyIsWilson from Michigan
4.09/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
A - Pours a very dark brown with a thin tan head. Light amount of soapy lacing.
S - Aroma is vanilla and bourbon.
T - The taste is vanilla, dark chocolate, heavy oak and a big blast of bourbon in the finish.
M - Thin body with medium carbonation. Soft mouthfeel with a crisp dry finish.
O - Solid bba stout. The bourbon barrel seems to overpower everything except the vanilla.
Mar 25, 2022S - Aroma is vanilla and bourbon.
T - The taste is vanilla, dark chocolate, heavy oak and a big blast of bourbon in the finish.
M - Thin body with medium carbonation. Soft mouthfeel with a crisp dry finish.
O - Solid bba stout. The bourbon barrel seems to overpower everything except the vanilla.
Reviewed by garymuchow from Minnesota
4.21/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
In the aroma can the vanilla be both soft and sharp? I think it is. Not overpowering and blends quite well. Rich but not overpowering dark fruity malts.
I think I can actually taste the two types of vanilla, but the alcohol flavor could be influencing that as well. There is a nice complexity. The malts are still a little young, some time for mellowing might be nice.
Reasonably full mouthfeel with a nice smoothness.
Mar 24, 2022I think I can actually taste the two types of vanilla, but the alcohol flavor could be influencing that as well. There is a nice complexity. The malts are still a little young, some time for mellowing might be nice.
Reasonably full mouthfeel with a nice smoothness.
Reviewed by Franziskaner from Missouri
4.22/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.22/5 rDev +1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Black in color with the faintest penetration to light. There’s a fingernail of brown top. Moderate soapy lacing is present. The aroma is of sweet vanilla and bourbon. I’m initially tasting a lot of vanilla and a wallop of boozy bourbon. The vanilla keeps it from being overwhelming and softens out the mouthfeel. You still get a touch of warmth from the alcohol to the tongue. This is very well done.
Jan 08, 2022
Reviewed by Iamaskier from Idaho
4.17/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.17/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Nice head. Faint bourbon and roasted malt, coffee, and vanilla on the nose. Taste is big vanilla, upfront bourbon, becoming dark chocolate and coffee. Nice rye spice to compliment things, and a hint of cinnamon too. Super smooth feel. That spice is a great compliment to the vanilla. Nice supper.
Dec 25, 2021
Reviewed by buschbeer from Ohio
4.08/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3 | overall: 4
12 FL. OZ. bottle
Served in a snifter
This beer pours black and is topped with less than an inch of mocha head that leaves spotty lacing.
Vanilla and caramel aroma. I get some booze. Hints of chocolate.
Boozier flavor than I expected. But I don't mind. Vanilla is nice. Caramel as well. Hints of chocolate
Medium bodied with a thinner than expected mouthfeel
I like it but it could be better. Thin mouthfeel and boozy. I don't mind boozy though.
Dec 07, 2021Served in a snifter
This beer pours black and is topped with less than an inch of mocha head that leaves spotty lacing.
Vanilla and caramel aroma. I get some booze. Hints of chocolate.
Boozier flavor than I expected. But I don't mind. Vanilla is nice. Caramel as well. Hints of chocolate
Medium bodied with a thinner than expected mouthfeel
I like it but it could be better. Thin mouthfeel and boozy. I don't mind boozy though.
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida
4.14/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.14/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
This was a very flavorful stout from NH. Right out of their DM series, this is one that I greatly enjoyed this year. Other than no head, it was blacker than black, the smell was boozy with no distraction of the vanilla, and the mouthfeel was smooth if not creamy. Overall, I really enjoyed this and kept one around to see how it ages in the next year...
Dec 05, 2021
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