Most Satisfying Vertical Tasting?

2006-2013 BCBS with every variant from every year. That was a fun tasting.

 

Kate the Great 2009-2012
Everyone of us picked the exact same order of preference 2011>2009>2012>2010.

 

I had a 2006 of that this year, and that one was thinning out, getting more porty and less plummy. How does it change when it gets even older?

 

Just did FW 14-18 recently, all holding up fairly well (refrigerated) but 14 shouldn't go any longer.

 

I'd heard the '09 batch was infected? No infection in your's?

 

I've done a 5 year Bigfoot vertical, and it was quite the tasty experience. Bigfoot ages extremely well.

 

I did a KBS vertical before. That was a good one. Don't have notes (or memory) of the details at this point, other than the 1 year aged KBS was the preferred.

 

My favorite was 2006 to 2012 KBS with 2 friends, plus we did a grand cru with the leftovers which was one of the best things I have ever drank.

 

I recommend Abyss we just did '08 - '12, all tasty even the '09 which was very mildly infected. The '08 was drinking amazingly, just a hint of sherry to it, well blended, still bright flavor, no heat, but the barrel pretty well gone.

 

Actually did a Cascade Kriek from 2009-2013. Lots of change noted in each. It really mellowed as it aged, losing some of the metallic aftertaste and the Cherry was really pronounced in the 2009. Much different from what I remembered when I had it fresh in 2009. Wanted a 2014 to compare but since they stopped shipping its much harder for me to acquire. I looked for it when I went to Cali but was unable to locate a 14. However I did find their Cranberry Sour, a Foudre #1 sour, and their Cherry Sour as well as a couple of The Vine so I was not totally disappointed!

 

It goes through a weird phase at ten to fifteen years where it doesn't taste like much of anything. After that it tastes like a strong port.

 

Wasn't Tenth Anniversary the first one (8 years ago)? If not, man, am I in search of the earlier ones!!!!

 

Haha I think he was asking about Westy (or at least I was talking about it). 07 was the first Darkness, I believe.

 

No cellar is complete without some bottles of Expedition.

 

Fuck me. Just bought a '14 Black Op's so now I have '10,'11, and '14. Think I am going to have to stop this "vertical" as those are too expensive to be meh.

 

I'm looking forward to my planned 6 year vertical of Dark Lord, we're gonna crack these in February with a buddy.

 

I've done several over the years. Some myself, some I've attended.

My most recent one was a 5 year vertical of Parabola 2010-2014, & Hair of the Dog Doggie Claws 6 year, 2009-2014, and a three year Abacus/Sucaba vertical.

Also done several FW anniversary verticals, from 10-14, 11-15, 12-16, currently have a 14-18 sitting in my home fridge that will go in next few months.

Last year I did a 5 year Bruery Anniversaries (Papier – Fruet) and a friend put together a 5 year Black Tuesday vertical.

Have also attended a 10 year Cantillon Fou Foune Vertical, and a 10 year Lou Pepe Vertical, both were quite memorable.

Been a few others here and there, Abyss verticals, KBS, but those are the ones that stand out for me.

All of these took time, patience, funds, good friends, and a bit of luck as well, but are great memories for me and those that took part.

 

Does anybody ever do their veritcals without knowing the year they're drinking until after you've finished them all, a blind vertical?
That way your preconceived ideas of what aging should or should not do to a beer aren't a factor.