Leto - Pear Brandy Barrel Aged
Mortalis Brewing Co.

 

 

 

Batch 3, Purple Metallic Wax (2025). Opened 10/03/2025.

Identical to its Cherry Brandy counterpart, an almost motionless motor oil viscosity cascades into the glass. Small, tight bubbles momentarily circle the beer, but ultimately settles still.

As always, an absolute treat on the nose – marzipan, Funfetti icing, and baked pears. Blindfolded I think many would be hard-pressed to even tell that these aromatics were coming from a beer.

The palate balances with beautiful brandy character, bringing notes of dry, spiced pears, toasted almond, baking cocoa, and a touch of char. There’s a nice viscosity, and great length. In comparison to the other Letos I’ve had, this one is noticeably the most Brandy-forward. While a contrast from the pastry perfection exhibited from past releases, the heavy brandy character does great to bring balance from the nose.


Batch 2, Gold Wax (2022). Opened 10/16/22.

An amazing opportunity to try a very special beer for the folks over at Mortalis.

Leto… the Goddess of Motherhood and Modesty. A title both fitting and unfitting for this monster of a beer.

Motor oil pour; not overly viscous, but hardly any head retention as the liquid quickly settles black and motionless.

The nose is sweet and rich, bringing clear notes of marzipan and Funfetti cupcakes. One of the best noses on a beer I’ve ever experienced. There’s a bit of a cream liquer component that lingers.

The palate brings similar notes as found on the palate, but with distinctly more barrel influence. You get that cream cheese frosting and marzipan shortbread cookie flavor, but to accompany it is a subtle yet distinct floral / spiced component on the back-end. Hints of cardamom and candied orange peel float into the foreground as the the initial sweetness fades and accompanies a great boozy warmth on the tail.

Nice medium body here; not overly viscous, but drinks incredibly smooth with a warmth on the finish that reminds you of that finishing ABV. Lightly sticky, with the slightest touch of bitterness right before that ethanol heat hits.

This one is the showstopper I was hoping it would be; unique in the influence it took from a rare type of brandy barrel, with the perfect balance of adjunct in the form of almond cookies to balance out that soft yet noticeable influence from the barrel-aging. Exceptional.

 

 

This one pours a very dark black color, with a small head, and not much lacing. It looks so sticky and thick.

This smells like cookie dough, dark fruit, port, milk chocolate fudge, oak, brandy, marzipan, almond, and amaretto.

This is easily one of the most unique barrel-aged stouts that I've ever had. The pear brandy barrel is such a perfect partner for this. That sort of killer cherry almond from the base Leto feels even more amplified than usual, with sweet fruity brandy tones, some dry port wine/dark fruit flavors, silky milk chocolate fudginess, a touch of oak, and a hint of vanilla and cookie dough. There's so much going on here. There's such a wonderful impression of chocolate covered marzipan and chocolate covered cherries here.

This is very thick, and very silky, with no booziness to it at all. It's very drinkable, even with the intensity of flavor and body.

This is absolutely a special beer, and most likely the best barrel-aged beer Mortalis has done so far. They should be absolutely proud of the tremendous achievement this beer represents.