Arrogant Bastard Ale - Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Arrogant Consortia

 

 

Shared 355 ml bottle at local tasting. Reddish brown colour. Malty aroma, slightly oxidised, with some caramel, notes of oak and bourbon, but not as distinct as expected. More distinct oak and bourbon / vanilla in the flavour, also distinct bittering hops.

Clear dark red colour, nice & persistent foamy head.
Really nice smell of borbon, oak wood, caramel and ripe fruits.
The taste is medium sweet, wit a bitter hint at the beginning. Light body. Burnt sugar, dried fruits, fermented grapes, plums, some woddy notes. Very bitter aftertaste, with the wood tanins coming in front.
A nice experiment, but the bitterness is too strong, covering the delicate bourbon and oak notes, more obvious on the nose

 

Appearance: Stunning, massive, moderately coarse cloud-top head utterly dominates the mahogany brown body. The head retention is excellent. Belgian-style lacing adorn the glass wall.

Aroma: Sweet molasses, toffee and caramel notes, and earthy and pine hops dominate the aroma. Bourbon, oak, and vanilla are also evident. There is abundant sweet, vinous alcohol, as well.

Taste: Opens with a massive wave of dark malt, caramel, molasses, and toffee. As the taste progresses, sweet alcohol, oak, vanilla, and grapefruit hops move to the forefront of the taste. Late in the taste, the bourbon and oak really shine, and there is a late and pleasing warming sensation. Finishes with a lingering herbal and medicinal hop note, serving to offset the sweetness quite graciously.

Mouth feel: Smooth and very full, just excellent, with modest soft carbonation.

Drinkability/notes: Simply put, one of the finest examples readily available, and at a modest price point. A well-cellared case would prove a prudent investment in future enjoyment. As well, this would be an elegant presentation for a holiday dinner.

Presentation: Packaged in a standard twenty-two ounce brown glass bomber, with an an enameled label, and a pry-off crown, served in a Duvel tulip.

Nice mahogany colour, disappointing small head and lacing to be expected I suppose from such a strong beer. Smell of dried fruit and spirits. I found this to be so bitter and boozy that it was almost undrinkable. Alcohol present in spades and I picked up a raging temperature in no time. Not for me!

 

 

Look is dark red with some lacing. Smell is like hard apple cider sitting in a bourbon barrel. Taste is very good, but a bit weird. There is a clash between some unidentified flavor and the bourbon flavor. Still a very nice taste, though. Mouthfeel is very nice and medium, not too much carbonation.

Edit: it's starting to taste better now that it's warming up....mmmmnnnn....

Appearance: Arrives clear and auburn with a one finger head that persists nicely and leaves some sheets of lacing

Smell: Caramel, dark fruit, citrusy hops and a hint of Bourbon

Taste: As expected, the caramel and citrusy hops are pronounced from the outset; dark fruit tones add a growing depth of flavor; through the middle, the Bourbon arrives and enhances without dominating; the finish melds the elements together

Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate to high carbonation

Overall: I was expecting a much bigger beer and was unsure about whether I would like that; surprisingly, what I got was a nicely balanced approach that brought all the elements together; I guess the arrogance has faded after all these years but the result was very drinkable

 

 

Pours a murky dark amber, minimal head. Fantastic malty, molasses aroma. Great malty flavor, lots of molasses, pervasive bitterness. Fairly syrupy. Overall a great beer, this one was aged 3 years.

10/24/19
12 oz bottle dated 7/28/16
4.5 rating

 

 

Pours a murky brown that looks like muddy river water with a hint of red. Head is a finger in height, khaki in color, and retains well. Aroma reaches out and grabs the nose with notes of resiny, dank, piney, citrusy hops, follow by dark, char bourbon characters. It smells like a hop forward, biting IPA until it gets washed over by whiskey. Flavor profile follows the nose, but with less harshness. Notes of piney, citrusy, resiny hops are the initial hit. Bourbon with a kiss of char compliments the hops, and adds a little balance to the mix. Resiny hop notes cling to the tongue after the hop-bourbon clash. Mouth feel is medium in thickness with a little velvety smoothness that develops to a light creaminess at the very end. Overall, it's an odd ale, but it does so well. It feels well maintained and balanced despite the dichotomy between the hops and bourbon.

Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 12oz bottle. 02/14/16 bottle consumed on 9/24/19. Having not tasted a fresh one, I would still say this has aged well, mellowing in character.

 

Amber brown color with a thin head.
Aroma with predominant notes of Bourbon, some of their yeast, apple puree and tea leaves.
Bold flavor with notes of Bourbon, oak, toasted malts, spices, floral and herbal hops, the expected Bastard yeast, tea bags and a bit of cherries. Dry and bitter aftertaste.
Medium to full body with appropriate carbonation.
Bourbon dominated the Arrogant Bastard, but you can still feel it in the background.