Sails of Charon
Social Project Brewing

Pour an effervescent ebony with fast falling hazel colored head. Viscous as all get out, zero head retention & lacing

S: Bourbon barrel, figs, coconut. Molasses, Cherry Brandy, some hard booze sneaks past the smoothness, just for a second as this warms up. Nose was a little wanting, but my nose is hit & miss, some ethery notes at the very tail end

T: Plenty of luscious Bourbon Barrel, lesser amounts of coconut, vanilla & Baker's Chocolate, Maple Candy on the edges up front. Dark Choclate, rich Bourbon notes, more barrel rawness & rich coconut, toasted & creamy once this beer warms up. Finishes with super smooth Bourbon notes, Black Cherry Liqueur, Dark Chocolate, & Maple Candy & just a little Oaky dryness

MF: Silky smooth carbonation & medium body, warming, but seductive on how subtly it happens

Best beer I've had from them, their BA stouts are all on point, but this is the King

2025 bottle from a stout / barleywine BIF. Poured cellar temperature to a snifter, the body is a dark, viscous black, fully opaque. No rising head, only surface patches and an annular band. The smell is vibrant bourbon barrel sweetness, noticeable a couple feet from the nose. First sips are delicious sweet bourbon in front of a savory dark malt base, with a tiny cleansing alcohol bite to offset the thickness. As it warms and the mouth gets coated, the cacao steps up as a light chocolate, not quite liquer territory, but edging there. The coconut adds a slight coconut milk vein, and likely contributes to the heavier mouthfeel. Vanilla finishes the lingering flavors, with a fresh character, not like an artificial sweetener. The mouthfeel is heavy and coating, but still thin enough to keep the beer from invoking dessert stout territory. The bourbon and alcohol are noticeable immediately, bringing a light warming effect, and later a full cognitive mellowing. At first I guessed incorrectly that Willett barrels were used, but an Internet search reveals it is actually Elijah Craig (12 year IIRC). Overall, incredibly easy to drink quickly with its balanced flavor and satisfying feel. Not knowing what to expect from this new to me brewery, I was pleasantly surprised at the high level of execution. A worthy contender in any trade. Buy it if you see it.