Shadow Game XI - Maple Syrup & Irish Coffee (Heaven Hill Bourbon BA)
Sori Brewing

Pours a pitch-black coloration with a small, fluffy head. Smells of caramel malt and rather strong maple syrup, as well as hints of chocolate, coffee and vanilla with this combination being kinda reminiscent of Bailey's liqueur. Taste is a decent balance of slightly roasted, caramel malt, distinct maple syrup and lighter coffee and chocolate, as well as hints of vanilla and liquorice. Finishes rather sweet, with a light bitterness and some maple syrup, chocolate and vanilla lingering in the aftertaste. Smooth mouthfeel with a rich body and medium carbonation.

While there are hints of roasted malt and a certain, subtle bitterness to this, it's just way too dominated by the maple syrup and "Irish Coffee", with the sweetness approaching cloying levels that those roasted malts and bitterness fight a losing battle against. While I'm not sure if this actually contains some form of "Irish Cream" liqueur, I wouldn't be surprised if it does. Otherwise this might be an illusion created by the maple syrup, vanilla and coffee notes. In any case, it's way too sweet for my personal taste, as well as bit too boozy, with the overall balance not being great here. Overall, this might make for a decent Pastry Stout, but is just not up my alley at all with its almost cloying sweetness and boozy and unbalanced flavor profile, making me struggle to finish the 0.33ml bottle.