Madera 2023 - Blend 2 (Maple Bourbon)
New Image Brewing Company

This latest vintage comes as the first solera-style pull from our Maple Bourbon cask system, which was first harvested, in part, back in the spring of this year. As the liquid inside these casks continues on its journey to becoming Solera barleywine, the subsequent harvests will transform. The vibrant flavors of oak and spirit will begin to slowly give way to increasing characteristics of oxidation and extended aging, while the fresh beer introduced with each top-up will restore the structure of the younger beer.

Tasting this blend, you'll find that the maple bourbon casks have continued to further impart their flavors, the complex sweetness of the maple and structured tannin from the oak having only increased since the first pull last spring. The depth and nuance from oxidative aging have also continued to impart further maturity to this blend, softening the hard edges and delighting the palate with notes of dried figs, dark cherry and subtle earthen tones. Finally, the young beer introduced with the last solera top up has brought back youth to the blend, ensuring that while the complexity of extended aging increases the structure of the fresh beer is never lost.