Bourbon Barrel Vlad The Conquistador Coffee
Hailstorm Brewing Co.

22 ounce bottle into a snifter. Bottled 10/24/17, had 1/18/19. Replacing an old 2015 rating only, which scored higher overall- 4.25.

Pours near black and opaque, oily looking, with no head and a few flecks of cling. Aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, chocolate, malt, some chilies and cocoa, light coffee, a little oak. A bit of a sweet aroma, no notice of bourbon barrels. The flavor is cinnamon- lots, chilies, chocolate, malt, vanilla, some coffee and cocoa, faint bourbon when warm. A light sweetness. Smooth, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.

This is a very nice beer, but the distinct lack of barrel presence means it really didn’t deliver on its promise, and it then comes at a high price point for what you get. The coffee wasn’t out front either. The cinnamon was heavy- good, but there’s a lot. Kinda disappointing.

 

Will try to be as fair as I can with this review, as this hit a gusher in opening and I’m not sure if there’s some infection. Two year old bottle. Poured a violent dark tan head that dissipated quickly with no remaining lacing. Definite scents of coffee and barrel with lingering cinnamon and chocolate. Taste is first sharp and spicy with minimal coffee, chocolate, and cinnamon. Undercurrent of pepper heat. There’s a lot of different flavors that are prevalent and play well together. Slightly medium body, gently mouth watering, a very well disguised alcohol presence. I’ve drank this quite rapidly and now the 14.1 abv is sneaking up on me. If I had this fresher, probably would have been hotter. After evaluating it, still not sure if it’s infected, but still a good beer from one of the first breweries I ever visited.

 

 

 

 

Wanted to like this since I'm a huge fan of the style. I may have had an off bottle.. Poured fine but the nose was straight hair spray that followed a bit in the taste.. Nice cinnamon. Peppers more vegital rather than giving it a nice heat quality. Didn't pick up any of the other flavors unless it was the agave throwing it off. Haven't had too many beers with agave so hard to compare.. Anyways, Cinnamon, peppers and isopropyl alcohol. Could hardly get through a pour.

 

Had on tap. This one packs some heat to it with the big bourbon booze melding in with the peppers, cocoa, cinnamon, agava, and coffee, with vanilla and sweeter malt as the only balance. Heavy and powerful, yet the spice kicks in hard near the finish and carries on long after the sip. Smell is quite pleasing but the peppers are a little strong. Nice twist on the series!

 

 

Had this along side the regular BA Vlad the Conquistador. The coffee did not add anything to this beer and maybe even tasted a tad raw. Don't know if with time it would even out?

 

The nose on this is crazy. Cinnamon bomb!

 

 

Had this on 2017-10-28 at the brewery.

Really enjoyed the chile, cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla and agave on top of the stout. The coffee adds a nice twist.