Xanthus
Ethereal Brewing

 

 

There's few barrels that can do what Four Roses barrels can do for strong ale. There's no brewer that can figure that out faster than the Bluegrass brewery of Ethereal. With the acclaim of these barrel aged beers in the past, this olde ale takes more of a slumber before emerging from its cocoon in this savory, succinct and sultry fine elixir.

Tawny, dark and tarnish, Xanthus layers in the glass with a sepia-stained froth and an array of aromatics highly suggestive of port, sherry, brown sugar and bourbon. With the sweetness slathering across the tongue, its brown sugar flavors bring about the robust decadence of black-strap molasses, seared toffee and deeply caramelized rum cake.

Then as the middle palate unfolds, the show really begins. Sweetness drifts into spiciness while a bold stone fruit presence digs deep- plum, grape, prune, fig and raisin are all well represented as an earthen savory taste of leather, oak and tobacco add a tar-like savory brine. Building umami suggests fine cognac with hints of peppery red wine and a light oaken bitterness to expire late on the finish.

Nuances of chocolate, coconut, vanilla and cherry ride the wave of ether as the the full and lush beer simmers on the palate with a handsome warmth, a peppery balance and a linger of smooth dark fruit and that oh-so undeniable Four Roses bourbon.

Take an old ale and stick it in a Four Roses barrel for a year, and you've got Xanthus. Chilled, the mouthfeel is thin, but as it warms, the mouthfeel corrects itself and the booze and raisins explode in the flavor. An excellent effort for Ethereal's second bottle release.