Destroyer - Cognac
Lua Brewing

 

On the pour, very little noticeable carbonation buildup. The dark, rusty brown coloration settles very quickly, with medium weight to the appearance.

The nose blooms with a fantastic bouquet of candied orange, apricot jam, and Raisinet candy. Riding steadily in the background are clear bolstering aromas of caramel and luxardo cherries.

The cognac does NOT hold back on the palate, and it's influence is more than welcome here. Spiced and earthy right off the bat, with notes of blistered oak drying the palate. That said, an immediate richness of candied fruit and fig jam contrasts nicely. The mid-palate come forward with medium bitterness, bringing with it dark fruit, smoke and a touch of vanilla. The finish has a bit of tannin, with burnt caramel and lingering heat.

The mouthfeel doesn't at all reflect what we initially expected based on the pour. Like with the others in this series, Cognac Destroyer carries itself well, balancing carbonation and gravity. This is both the driest and booziest of the series thus far, but undoubtedly a fantastic expression of the barrel it matured in.

Cola reddish-brown with a short, bubbly tan head that disperses to a thin ring.

Orange-tinged butterscotch and viscous caramel-toffee meet a solid cognac thread that cleans up the stickiness through and through to achieve decent dryness while adding red fruit to the nose but vanilla to the exhale.

My Best in Show at Good Vibes 2023