Barrel Aged Vanilla Imperial Stout
Hubbard's Cave Brewery

this is an oh my god level beer, and it took me some time to figure out if i loved it or if it was entirely too much, and i think both might be true, seriously insane maturity, bourbon presence, and completely absurd vanilla levels, but also hard not to be impressed, much as this drinks more like the best vanilla extract of all time rather than beer, at least to some extent, wow! this is made with three different vanilla beans and aged three years in heaven hill barrels, just epic! the vanilla profile of this is like nothing ive ever had, floral and sweet, super saturated and intense in aroma and flavor, deep enough to have some umami character to it, somehow soft in its enormity too, the quality is off the charts, and for everyone who says you can never have enough vanilla in a beer, this one is for you! matte black, very short headed, so bold in aroma and flavor, vanilla far out in front of other elements, but the barrel treatment is amazing, wonderful rich and sweet bourbon all woven though, toasted and charred oak, and nuances of bread pudding and toasted coconut emerge, i also get bitter dark coffee in all the dark grain and some molasses sweetness as it warms up a bit. the booze is a factor here, but it almost serves to further enhance the vanilla somehow. the oak is huge, and this is old in a good way, without the faintest trace of oxidation. chocolate abounds in here among all the roast, an espresso wrinkle too, all bringing out different sides of the vanilla, and the different origins really makes this full spectrum vanilla, which is part of why its so cool. three years in heaven hill is crazy, and its perfect for the intensity of the vanilla. i taste this forever but i dont care because it rules. almost medicinal at temperature, massive body, lots and lots of residual sugar too, but its all very cohesive. truly memorable, this must cost a million dollars to make, serious ingredients and time involved. majorly impressive even if its way over the line in terms of being flavored. unreal.

 

Pours deep dark jet black. Aroma is amazing sweetness. Strong combination of vanilla, brown sugar and bourbon. Taste mirrors aroma with intense vanilla, brown sugar and bourbon and adds roasted malts and dark fruitiness. Mouthfeel is medium bodied and appealingly oily. Overall an incredible stout.

 

Drank from a 1 pint 9.4 fl oz (750ml) black wax dipped bottle purchased at Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors, Watertown, MA
2022 vintage
Served in a tulip

The beer poured a dense and slick pitch black hue, not too dissimilar from used motor oil. A thin, mocha colored cap of froth topped the liquid, but it quickly dissolved. Tiny streaks of lacing trickled down the sides of the glass.

The aroma was amazing. Really sweet and pastry like. Brown sugar notes came through strong. Loads of fresh vanilla bean as well. There was a nice dark fruit presence too. Raisins were most apparent. Boozy bourbon barrel notes were also detectable. As the beer warmed, the vanilla bean really intensified.

The flavor profile was similar to the aroma but not quite as rounded or as intense. Rich and malty up front. Nice melding of sweet caramel and roasted malt notes. Loads of brown sugar. Fresh vanilla bean notes came through strong in the center. Dark fruits were noticeable too. Bourbon barrel notes appeared as the beer moved along the palate and crescendoed in the finish. A touch boozy. For 13% ABV, however, the alcohol was well hidden.

The mouthfeel was the only aspect of the beer was a bit disappointing. It was medium bodied for the style. Slighter thinner than I anticipated. The liquid contained a fine, mild effervescence that worked pretty nicely.

Hubbard's Cave’s pastry stouts have a tendency to be excessively sweet and adjunct forward, but this beer could have possibly benefited from a bit more vanilla in the flavor profile. All in all, this was an enjoyable offering though probably not worth the steep ($30) price tag.

2022 vintage; drank 9/28/22 @ Une Annee Brewery.

Black appearance.

Almost no tan head; no lace.

Rich vanilla & milk chocolate notes in the nose.

Sticky, thick mouthfeel.

Rich vanilla & milk chocolate flavors; mild booze heat emerged as this warmed.

Simple, but effective. I'd have another...

 

DLD - 5/18/2019

 

 

 

(2019 vintage)Overall score: 4.5

(2023 vintage)Overall score: 4.25

2019-07-29
16oz can served in a pint glass. Label says 2019-02. I'm putting it under this beer because the ABV matches.

Pours black, tarry, with little head and little carbonation. I find it strangely appealing. Smell is really nice -- dark chocolate and coffee with a strong vanilla. Roasty, too.

Taste is good, but too sweet. Chocolate, coffee, vanilla, roast, maybe a bit of booze. A bit less over-the-top sweetness would be nice.

Mouthfeel is thick, smooth, and still. Overall, very nice.

 

 

 

11/3/18 (Okemos, MI) $23 1 pint, 9.4 oz bottle shared with brother, multiple pours into snifters. Pitch black pour, slight tan bubbles along the ring. Nice rich chocolate and vanilla aroma, backed well with bourbon. Strong chocolate taste, bourbon well masked but comes out after pour warms. Slight vanilla taste. Light chalky mouth feel, no carbonation, light presence. Overall good beer.