Barrel Project 2023: Cognac
Brouwerij Kees

Pours a pitch-black coloration with a medium, creamy head. Smells of slightly roasted, caramel malt, chocolate, red berries and peat smoke. Taste is a decent balance of slightly roasted, caramel malt, chocolate, red berries and dark fruit, with notes of cranberry, redcurrant fig and plum, as well as hints of spice, with notes of vanilla and nutmag, licorice and peat smoke. Finishes with a medium sweetness and some chocolate, red berries and hints of peat smoke lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a medium body and carbonation.

The subtle peat smoke is rather unexpected in a Cognac BA stout. I wonder if that has anything to do with them having made one aged in Islay barrels from the same series as well... Certainly odd, but that's not necessarily a bad thing, even though it's certainly not the flavor profile you would expect here. The Cognac is certainly coming through as well, with some sweet red berries and hints of spice and oak. I found it enjoyable enough overall, even if a little odd.