Enchiridion (Batch 1)
Pure Project

It is rich, beautiful, and elegant. Every sip is a sweet blanket of bourbon that takes you to another place in terms of BA stouts. We also got to check out the brewery in San Diego a few months later. I picked up this bottle while visiting. Pure Project is a must-stop with fantastic service.

 

Type: 5-oz. draft
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial Stout
Glass: Pure Project 5-oz. taster glass
Price: $7.20 (20 pct. off $9 with AHA card)
From: Pure Project Balboa Park in Balboa Park (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: Dec. 10, 2021
Consumed: Dec. 10, 2021
Misc.: n/a

Went to Pure Project just for this beer. Got another four tasters to let this one warm up a little bit. Their website called this one “Ready for something we’ve never done before? Presenting Enchiridion: a blend of single, double, and triple bourbon barrel-aged stouts. This reserve imperial stout was inspired by the process of making Lief, our Méthode Traditionelle – 3 year blend. Similarly, it’s a blend of one-, two-, and three-year old beer. The difference is that Enchiridion is racked into a new barrel each year for maximum barrel impact: tannin, bourbon character, and long-term mellowing of the stout. The single barrel was aged in Breckenridge bourbon barrels; the double barrel was aged in Breckenridge, then Blanton’s Mash #2; and the triple barrel was aged in Breckenridge, then Weller Full Proof, then 1792. In total, the stout aged in six bourbon barrels! Long-awaited bourbon complexity arises with aromas of crème brûlée, toasted oak, and wildflower honey, while flavors of flourless chocolate torte, fig, vanilla bean and lingering oak tannins delight the palate. Cheers to this silky and decadent celebration of bourbon barrels—perhaps the first of its kind.” Damn that sounded great.

Poured a pitch black color with one finger of khaki tan frothy head when I got it (and waited 40 minutes to review it). Pretty quiet underneath with not noticeable bubbles. Excellent foggy lacing. Average retention. (Sight - 4.00)

Smelled smooth bourbon, milk chocolate syrup, caramel, toffee, vanilla, toasted oak, brownie batter and espresso. (Smell - 4.50)

I said “Oh my!” out loud to nobody in particular after trying this. Much better than the nose. Got sticky milk chocolate syrup, toasted marshmallow, vanilla, leathery oak, smooth bourbon, caramel, toffee, brownie batter, espresso and dark fruit. That 13.7 pct. ABV was well hidden. (Taste - 4.50)

Full body. Sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth finish. (Feel - 5.00)

This was incredible. Really want to get a bottle now but probably not for $40. Almost perfect. (Overall - 4.75)

4.67 | 100 | A+

Had on tap. Shimmering black body with a brown cap. Stupid barrel complexity, the bourbons, dark oaks, and tannins are fantastic, leading all aspects of this one. Smell focuses on the molasses, dark chocolate, and kiss of vanilla. Taste more the caramel red thread running through, with toasty oak accented so much, chocolate, vanilla and especially black strap molasses dancing around. Feel is full, warm, complex, yet smooth, refined and deep.

 

 

 

 

stupid. the server explained that it’s a 3 year blend of 3 different barrel aged stouts. desert beer.