Silver Series: Tumeaine Cognac BA
Pühaste Brewery

Thick motor oil aged in Cognac barrels.
Gracious

 

Pours a pitch-black coloration with a small, frothy, dark brown head that recedes quickly. Smells of slightly roasted, caramel malt and rich chocolate and Cognac barrel notes, with notes of dark fruits, vanilla and cedar wood. Taste is a perfect balance of slightly roasted, caramel malt, rich milk chocolate and toffee, some vanilla, coffee and dark fruits, with notes of raisin and plum, as well as a certain white grape presence and hints of cedar wood, nutmeg and licorice. Finishes bittersweet, with a light bitterness and some milk chocolate, dark fruit and spices lingering in the aftertaste. Full mouthfeel with a very rich body and low carbonation.

I wasn't sure what to expect from a Cognac BA stout, but this really blew me away with an incredibly subtle and complex balance of rich and luscious caramel malt, milk chocolate and dark fruit and berry notes, as well as lighter woody and spicy accents, all underlined by a distinct but mellow Cognac presence that never turns too boozy, as well as a great, understated sweetness. Overall, this makes for a very rich and complex sipper with a distinct Cognac presence and sublime balance of mostly sweet components that never become cloying due to some light bitter and roasted accents though. Honestly one of the best barrel-aged Stouts I've ever had, with a very unique and incredibly well-balanced flavour profile.