MKE 1 - Tattersall Rye Barrel-Aged Stout
Central Waters Brewing Co.

2021 vintage; consumed on 7/19/2023

Pours a murky, dense black body capped with multiple fingers of sudsy, pale khaki foam; good head retention leaves a near-blank cap, thin, frothy collar, and no lacing holding with any longevity to the walls of the glass.

Aroma opens to a potent rye spice as floral vanilla bean phases into a brilliant, oaky roast and softer milk chocolate wafer amidst ample barrel char; dark cocoa eases black bread crust over time as dusty oak lingers on through the bouquet.

Taste shows a familiar rye spice persistent with a black bread edge and firm oak, with floral vanilla cream contrasting and prickly barrel coursing over the mid-palate as notes of dark cocoa guide through a whiskey air coning in waves on the back end of the profile.

Mouthfeel features a body on the heavier end of medium and a weighty, lower-end carbonation; an apparent dryness is prevalent against a toned roast, while an airy pang of creaminess cedes to a heavy warmth easing through the swallow.

A marriage of deep barrel vanillins enmeshed in vibrant rye for a committed expression of tempered char; airy bittersweetness and a firm expression of barrel.

The look is pitch black. Very dense. No foam. The smell is intense rye whiskey, dark chocolate, caramel, and vanilla. The taste is intense. Dark chocolate, rye whiskey, graham cracker, and vanilla. There is a slight sweetness. The mouthfeel is thick but smooth, oily, and full. The carbonation is light. Overall, this is an exceptional barrel-aged stout.

Had on tap. Midnight black opaque body with a brown ring. Big barrel in all aspects, the whiskey slightly stronger than the oak and definitely rye, but all star. Smell has some char, smoke, and dark chocolate supporting, taste has bittersweet chocolate, molasses, and charred earth, rye is milder here. Feel is decently boozy but not as much as the bourbon BA variant, massive feel with thick and heavy emphases that dry out and lighten up slightly by the finish thanks to the rye

5oz draft pour shows an opaque, chocolate brown colored body, that shows clear with reddish/cola highlights in the sun. A 1/4"cream colored head of mixed bubbles falls to simply an edge-hugging ring with plenty of spotted lacing losing their valiant fight to remain on the glass.

Aromas of deep earthy rye notes coated in cocoa for a strong dark smell easily leading into the spicy, chocolate coated dirt with enough carbonation to keep it light, but full and silky. Booze warmth envelops the palate and rests for thought.

Overall a very pleasant experience that needs more thought and even a fine cigar.

October 23, 2022; on draft at the source with rating.

----------------------------------------------------

January 3, 2022; bottle pour with review.

Appearance: Vigorous pour yields a small cap of lighter khaki colored head as the crown on a black as night stout. Cap drops down to no head at all. Thick booze legs. Some glass staining noted as well.

Smell: Deep fudge notes. Spicy & earthy rye whiskey and deep dry mature oak barrel. Caramel notes as well.

Taste: Fudge and dark chocolates. Smoke and oak. Caramel, burnt marshmallows, dark cherries, root beer, graham crackers, leather, and molasses. Rye whiskey lingers into the finish substantially and imparts some dryness to the finish. A very pleasant way to end this beer. Very complex with unique barrel notes from the Tattersall rye barrels. I really dig the flavors here.

Mouthfeel: This isn't pastry thick, but it's definitely thick enough for a barrel aged stout. It's "old school thick" before the pastry days. Medium full bodied stout with low carbonation levels. This is an impressively smooth barrel aged stout. Drinks well below listed ABV of 15%.

Overall: The extended aging on this non-adjunct barrel aged stout from Central Waters is certainly on the money & doesn't disappoint at all. The barrel made this stout pretty darn complex. Who doesn't love chocolate and rye whiskey with extensive nuances? Bravo CW you have managed to absolutely wow me once again with your barrel program.