Perun III
Mortalis Brewing Co.

2023 vintage; consumed on 8/5/2024

Pours a viscous, motor-oil hue capped with a finger of soapy, pale mocha foam, which recedes quickly to a void-like surface, paper-thin collar, and no lacing holding to the walls of the glass with any longevity.

Aromas of dark chocolate brownie crust burst forth with a gooey toffee undertone as cherrywood essence lingers against a casual rye spice inflection, leaving oak to coat caramel fudge overtones on the back end of the bouquet.

Taste offers creamy milk chocolate sporting char and tones of melted toffee, while deepening dark chocolate fudge takes on vague vanilla intonations past the mid-palate and an oaky prickle imparts a delicate cherry inflection as the profile settles.

Mouthfeel shows a full body and minimal carbonation, with a thick creaminess guiding to pure silk as a steady dryness is invigorated with a grazing, charry prickle.

A simplicity and focus on all that is amiable in a barrel-aged stout; the malt barrage and layered barrel phasing interspersed to peaks of raw decadence.

Appearance: Pours pitch black with a film; no lacing

Smell: Roast, chocolate and a significant Bourbon barrel aspect

Taste: Roasted malt tones forward with a hint of chocolate developing; the Bourbon takes over, mid-palate, and dominates the finish

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low carbonation; warmth in the gullet

Overall: Quite the libation for those who really like a Bourbon-dominated flavor profile; my preference is for the Bourbon to be more complementary

This one pours a very dark black, with a small head, and not a ton of lacing.

There’s lots of chocolate here, a nice smoky and charred barrel note, rye spice, marshmallow, and caramel.

This is probably the best Perun entry yet. I’ve liked all of them, but this is really reminiscent of like a rye barrel Bourbon County, but much thicker and much more punchy and vibrant. There’s a ton of spicy rye character, and a ton of oakiness as well. There’s a touch of dark fruit – much less than something like Perun I was. There’s a vast chocolatey backbone here, and a touch of roast. There’s definitely some sweetness, but it’s so much more restrained than Mortalis sometimes is known for.

This is very thick, one of the thicker Mortalis stouts ever. There’s no booziness here, and it’s surprisingly drinkable for how thick and high ABV this is.

I love it when Mortalis foregoes adjuncts and just delivers a barrel hammer directly to your mouth.