Rey Cuvée Vanilla (2022)
Cruz Blanca Brewpub

12 ounce can into a snifter. Canned 10/24/22, had 9/14/23.

Pours near black and opaque, thick and oily looking, with a brief head and some oily, speckled cling. The aroma begins with a blast of wonderful vanilla, then roasted malt, rye whiskey, chocolate, cocoa, oak, some fig, light tobacco and leather. Flavors of rye whiskey, vanilla, oak, chocolate, leather, malt, some fig, light tobacco. Has a spicy rye taste. Smooth, a very good full body, appropriately carbonated.

The flavor comes in waves. The vanilla and the spicy rye barrels are the obvious standouts, but there’s a lots of solid, complimentary aromas and flavors. Has a little bit of a lighter feel than expected. A terrific cuvee, really enjoyable.

 

12oz can poured into Rastal Lawrence stemless glass.

canned on 10/24/22.

Appearance: black bodied stout with a thick cap of creamy medium brown head. The head quickly drops to a thick ring around the side of the glass There is some lacing that sticks to the glass. Booze legs present as well. This stout stains the glass.

Smell: Big vanilla puddling aroma along with earthy spice, rye whiskey, and chocolate.

Taste: Vanilla sweetness upfront both Marshmallows & vanilla puddling. Fast transition into the chocolate, smoke, and nice charred barrel notes. Getting some leather, tobacco, brown sugar and molasses as well. Long lingering and very pleasant rye whiskey finish. Complex stout here with balanced flavors.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied stout with low and adequate carbonation levels. Nice thickness here; It's old school thick; not pastry thick. Rich and oh so smooth and no booze whatsoever.

Overall: I really enjoyed 22 Rey Gordo, but this is even better! Not just the vanilla though... The rye whiskey is absolutely stunning alone, but paired with this Mexican vanilla is a match made in heaven. This is my second offering that I have tried from the Cruz Blanca barrel program. I have read all about the "hype" on the forums and this barrel program lives up to the hype. This beer is a really impressive adjuncted barrel aged stout.

Had on tap. This year's luchadors were amazing! However, this one brought up the rear. Frankly it is an overwhelming vanilla bomb with big bourbon booze in all aspects. Taste has some really nice toasty oak to go with the various vanillas giving a sugar cookie impression for a fleeting moment. Nose has some dark chocolate and rye. But this needs so much time to settle. Feel is hot even with immense vanilla, wood and malt are felt but washed over. I would think in 6 months to a year this one will reward your patience, but as is it needs refinement.

So, I am going to start with the aroma on this one because that is what is immediately noticeable. From the moment that can is cracked there is this right aroma of fresh vanilla that just punches you in the nose. underlying that are notes of maple, chocolate, roasted malts, spicy rye whiskey, oak, bourbon and some marshmallow. The aroma is robust, pungent and absolutely delicious. Now for the appearance. Its pitch black and dark as a starless night. Moderately viscous, but not one of these brownie batter stouts. Thin, weak, fleeting brown colored head.

Taste follows the nose - up front you get the roasted malts, chocolate, rye, charred malts, and lots of fresh vanilla. The rye whisky brings a certain spiciness to the beer and the bourbon gives it this brown sugar and maple quality. It is a bit hot - the bourbon and rye barrels come through loud and clear all while warming you up. Feel is medium to full bodied. Prickly carbonation. Drier finish.

Overall this is outstanding. Rich, decadent, and delicious. A must try for fans of barrel aged beers.