2017 Bourbon Barrel Aged Personal Chain Letter
Pollyanna Brewing Company

 

 

22 ounce bottle into a snifter. Had 10/21/17.

Pours dark, opaque, with a half inch head and some loose, spotty lacing. Aromas of bourbon, roasted malt, chocolate, vanilla, cocoa, caramel, oak, molasses. The taste also starts with the bourbon, then malt- less roasted than the nose, caramel, oak, less chocolate and vanilla than the nose. Smooth, a solid medium to full body, well carbonated.

Awesome aroma, but kind of light in the flavor by comparison. The bourbon and malt are well balanced, the Four Roses barrels are good. Enjoyable, but had higher expectations for it.

 

22oz undated bomber from the 2017 release pours a deep, dark, almost ruddy, dirty brown body and briefly hosts a thin cap of milk chocolate colored bubbles and leaves nothing but tiny bubbles with legs upon slight agitation.

Aroma is bourbon up front with all that comes with it, oak, molasses, char, and leather with stone fruit followed by hints of vanilla, cocoa and raisin.

Flavors start more stone and dried fruit forward coated in bourbon and brown sugar.

Mouthfeel is a full tongue-coatingly oily elixer that numbs the tip of the tongue and warms the throat.

Overall a very special mix of complex sensations.
The label states 11% abv and I am sure it is every bit of that, however it is subtle. I find it in the numbing and warming more than in alcohol flavor.

A bomber with no visible date from the 2017 release poured in a 14oz. Pollyanna snifter.

Look- Pours a medium thick dark cola brown leaving behind a few centimeters of tan foam. No lacing is present, but there is a slightly oily residue visible clinging to the glass.

Smell- Bourbon, dark chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla and oak.

Taste- Bourbon, vanilla, dark chocolate, figs, tobacco and prominent oak in the finish.

Feel- Medium thick and creamy smooth.

Overall- A very worthy barrel aged stout that's loaded with complex barrel notes. It tasted a couple points higher than the 10% abv. with a respectable bourbon presence. It was gifted to me by a friend, so I have no idea on the cost, but I'd gladly drink a couple more regardless.