Boathouse Reserve Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged Stout
Crystal Lake Brewing

 

 

12 ounce can into a snifter. Had 3/9/20.

Pours a thick looking dark brown, opaque, with a half inch head of darker foam and some foamy lacing. Aromas of rye whiskey, roasted malt, chocolate, cocoa, oak, char, vanilla, raisins, some caramel. The flavor is pretty much the same- rye whiskey, malt, chocolate, vanilla, some oak and char, some caramel and cocoa, light tobacco. Has a little burn to it, not sure that it’s alcohol warming. Smooth, a solid full body, well carbonated.

Solid from top to bottom. Great barrels, well defined aromas and flavors, a good feel. Very enjoyable. Wish I grabbed more than one can.

Pours black with a quarter inch tan head that left no lacing. Smells of whiskey,dark chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Tastes of rye whiskey, dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla, oak, bit of char, dark fruits, toffee,molasses and a hi t of leather. Full bodied, light carbonation, smooth and creamy mouth feel.

 

 

2018 (can)

 

 

 

Jet black body with brown ring of foam. Smell is boozy whiskey, with rye, soil, charred wood, molasses, dark chocolate, coffee and vanilla. Taste is a dream, especially up front, with all things dark: char, whiskey, dark chocolate, coffee, fudge, molasses, leather, walnut, and licorice, with some touches of vanilla, brown sugar and boozy rye to warm up the body. Has slight astringency as the beer warms up, but nothing bad. Thought the rye whiskey barrel gave more variance in the feel as well as taste, well done!

 

 

From a 2016 750ml bottle with blue wax.
Pours a thick dark brown, small khaki colored head, minimal lacing, glass has a nice oily residue.
Aroma: Chocolate, vanilla, coffee, maybe some toffee.
Taste: Taste follows the aroma, just a hint of sweetness.
Feel: Not quite "chewy", but a nice texture, carbonation is spot-on for the style.
Overall: IMHO, this compares favorably with the best BA stouts. It's nice to see a local brewer nail it.
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