Weller Barrel Aged No Cake (2021)
Transient Artisan Ales

A - Pours a pitch black with a thin fizzy tan head. Light amount of clingy lacing.

S - Aroma is cinnamon, maple, vanilla and bourbon.

T - The taste is dark chocolate, maple, vanilla, cinnamon, graham cracker pie crust and a good amount of Weller barrel.

M - Full body with medium carbonation. Syrupy mouthfeel with a soft dry finish.

O - Very nice. Heavy cinnamon doesn’t take away from the Weller barrel.

 

 

Lastly, we have the No Cake that was aged in Weller barrels. This is the dessert side of things with graham cracker crust, vanilla, cinnamon, and cocoa coming through. The barrel is way softer in this rendition and focuses intensely on those additions. A true delight that is very approachable.

So, the appearance on this one is probably being impacted by the fact that this came in an 8-ounce mini-growler. Its only been in the mini-growler for about 2 hours, but the pour unto my glass did not produce much in the way of a head and what head it did have dissipated quickly leaving no residual head. Otherwise the beer is pitch black, thicc, and oily.

The aroma on this is particularly sublime - its decadent and rich in a way that few stouts manage to accomplish. Notes of cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla, marshmallow, and graham cracker waft across the nose taking turns grabbing your attention. My only complaint is that everything comes across so well that it forces the barrel to take a back seat to the additions. The barrel comes through on the nose mostly just as an afterthought - a light oaky, bourbon presence. Its not bad, especially since the additions are so well done, but for goodness sake, I want more from some Weller bourbon barrels!

Taste follows the nose initially - the cinnamon, marshmallow, vanilla, cocoa, and graham cracker all dance across the palate up front. The result is this delicious rich s'mores-esque profile using cinnamon graham crackers. The cinnamon is prominent, bordering, but not quite falling into the overbearing territory in the flavor profile, so if thats not your thing, you probably will not like this, but I loved it. As you process the array of flavors those Weller barrels make a glorious appearance on the back with lovely bourbon, oak, musty presence on the back end. Its a bit hot, but since I wanted the barrels, I am not complaining.

The feel on this one is thick, viscous and smooth, but its not too thick. Bright carbonation, so maybe the head was just a weak head. Definite heat on the back end that produces a palpable warming sensation in the chest and gut.

Overall this beer is a perfect example why Transient stouts are world class stouts. An absolutely delicious beer.

 

5/5