Barrel Project 19.10
Brouwerij Kees

Barrel Project 19.10 is the darkest barleywine I think I’ve ever seen. It’s basically jet black with a coffee and cream colored head.
The aroma really has a lot going on. The first thing I smell is the bourbon barrel the beer was aged in. Here, I’m getting huge notes of vanilla, the depth of wood, and hints of the bourbon itself. Vanilla and brown sugar give the aroma a hint of sweetness coupled with a gentle aroma or ripe fruit. Malt comes through in the finish with aromas reminding me of dark fruits like dates before fading into the background.
Taking a sip reveals me a barleywine with a very, very full body. Flavors are very malty up front, coupled with a subtle and not unpleasant alcoholic flavor. After all, the beer does clock in just north of 11% abv. Flavors of malt and alcohol lead into a notable flavor of rum and raisins. Rum and raisin lead into flavors of wood and subtle spiciness on the back of the tongue. The whole thing is very full in flavor and mouthfeel making a beer that enjoys being sipped rather than gulped at hungrily.
It’s full, smooth, and flavorful. It deftly walks the line between being big and bold versus being so big and bold that you can barely drink it. Pour a glass, light a fire in the fireplace (if you have one) and let this beer take the chill off on a cold winter night.