Pappy Van Winkle Here Be Monsters with Vanilla
Cerebral Brewing

 

Type: 500-ml. bottle (16.9 oz.)
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial Stout
Glass: North Park 9-oz. butterscotch snifter glass
Price: n/a
From: Trade with Nick
Purchased: n/a; Received Feb. 13, 2022
Consumed: May 14, 2022
Misc.: Bottled in Dec., 2021; Gray wax top

Traded North Park BBA Macaroons Before Dying with Nick for one of these. I pretty much love all the Cerebral BA stouts and this one had me interested with the Pappy barrels. Untappd description was “This serpent varietal slumbered 25 months in 15-Year Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Barrels before being conditioned on a blend of Mayan, Peruvian & Vera Cruz Vanilla Beans. As a result, the behemoth before you boasts notes of Whiskey Buttercream, Chocolate Ganache & Cadbury Eggs as it fades beneath the waves. Be warned. Be wary.”

Poured a pitch black color with 1-to-2 fingers of khaki tan frothy head. Could see a few bubbles coming up along the sides of the glass. Good spotty lacing. Very good retention. (Sight - 4.00)

Smell was pretty damn good. In order got marshmallow, vanilla, caramel, chocolate syrup, milk chocolate, leathery oaky barrel, toffee and vanilla cream. Almost as good out of the bottle with the addition of maple syrup and more leathery oak. (Smell - 4.50)

Taste wasn’t as good as the nose but still awesome. Got vanilla, marshmallow, caramel, chocolate syrup, milk chocolate, toffee, leathery oaky wood, vanilla cream and coconut. Sneaky for 14.1 pct. ABV. (Taste - 4.25)

Full body. Sticky texture. Soft carbonation. Long, smooth finish. (Feel - 4.75)

This was lovely. It was my first Pappy Van Winkle barrel experience but I obviously want more. (Overall - 4.50)

4.40 | 98 | A

Look - black and thick with a nice tan head rimming and lacing
Smell - lots of vanilla woody, slight caramel and roasted malt
Taste - basically the same as the smell but seems like even more vanilla
Feel - full body slightly creamy with a lighter carb
OVerall - pretty great but a lot of vanilla

This one pours a very dark black color, with a small head, and not much lacing.

This smells like cake frosting and earthy vanilla, caramel, oaky spice, butterscotch, and dark chocolate.

This isn’t quite as bodaciously barrel forward as you’d hope for something in Pappy barrels, but it is still pretty delicious. There’s lots of vanilla here, not too sweet, but definitely pastry-ish, with some caramel, dark chocolate, and a nice oaky spiciness, without much overt bourbon character outside of the oak.

This is medium bodied, creamy, and rich, with a nice drinkability.

Although I’d want a bit more barrel, I still enjoyed this tasty treat.

On tap at Hops and Pie