Esther's Li'l Secret (2025) - Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged
Warped Wing Brewing Company

Received a 12 oz bottle on 12-19-25 from @jzeilinger. 2025 edition with no bottle date; consumed 2-14-26. Cold stored since received. Thanks, Jeff!

Beer poured dark brown with a nice off-white head that lingers ten minutes after pouring.

Nose is nice, i get a little dark fruit from the base beer as the pecans and caramel with some chocolate.

Taste is malt driven; yeast brings some dark fruit. Adjuncts bring a caramel and nut nuance with some chocolate that is in the background. Rye barrels flavor initially was very distinctive and strong but not works magic with disappearing behind all the flavors and balancing to a doppelbock style appropriate sweetness.

Mouthfeel is light to medium bodied and pretty smooth.

Overall, this was a masterful job of blending a local candy with a lesser brewed doppelbock style and imparting a deft touch of barrel. It works for my palate. Such an interesting and unique beer.

 

375 ml bottle (label says 12 ounces), 2025 edition, no dating I found on the label or bottle but I bought this at the brewery's release on 11/6/25. Served in an Esther's Li'l Secret chalice, the beer pours dark brown with a ruby red tinge and about an inch tan head. Head retention and lacing are both good. I like the aroma, the brew smells like rye whiskey, vanilla, caramel, pecans, breadiness and some chocolate. I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but I do think the rye whiskey stands out in the taste but without overpowering everything else. Nice amount of barrel character here, but it does seem like it's a little boozier than the 10.7% ABV stated on the label. Mouthfeel/body is medium/full, it's slick and a bit creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought this was pretty good, and as with the base version, I did like it more on tap when I had it at the brewery the other day. Definitely worth picking up if you get the chance!