My KBS vs SMS Tasting

Hey BAs! I recently posted a side-by-side of KBS and SMS (Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout and Weyerbacher Sunday Morning Stout) in WBAYDN?. I figured some might be curious to see what I came up with, but didn't want to bog down the thread with my review/analysis.

I'm also curious if anyone else has tasted these either side-by-side, or in close proximity in time (and on a fresh palate), and if so, what you thought. I figured I may as well make it a poll, while I'm at it.

(Note: this is not a "Which is the best BBA coffee stout?" question. I think BCBCS blows both of these beers away, for example. This is simply comparing two beers directly; two beers that I have seen many BAs insist are right in the same ballpark.)



So, onto my personal results:
(All ratings compared as LEFT and RIGHT brews, blind. I had a good idea which brew was SMS based on head color, but I did my best to ignore that and base my reviews on preference alone.) For funsies, I've included (in parentheses) my original BA ratings. I do not intend to change my ratings based on this experiment. I did not evaluate for appearance or overall.

Aroma:
L: coffee, chocolate, smooth and mild bourbon and oak notes. Touch of vanilla. 4.5 (4.25)
R: slightly sweeter, with stronger bourbon notes. Some coffee. 4.5 (4.5)
Both are very similar in aroma. I wouldn't be able to guess which is which based on smell alone. Both carry notes of coffee, chocolate, and bourbon (L with more coffee and chocolate, R with more bourbon). Both carry a subtle aroma of banana from the yeast.
Edge: R is more potent and forward, but I have no preference. Aroma is too close to call.

Flavor:
L: slightly dark, overripe fruit up front, with a rush of chocolate, coffee, and bourbon coming in mid-palate. Some slightly sour oak starts to wash in, and then bourbon really takes over on the final third. Long finish with lingering coffee. 4.25 (4.5)
R: much sweeter right off the bat; chocolate and bourbon. Far less oak sourness, and almost no fruit. Also less coffee. Smoother flavor, but a touch too sweet. Also a long wet finish, heavy on bourbon and sugar. 4.25 (4.25)

Edge: This is an exercise in preference, as well. L is more in-your-face (although still smooth), and has an undeniable coffee preference. R has far more sweetness and is a little bit more approachable, but perhaps overdoes that sweetness, while understating the coffee presence. I think I'd give a slight edge to L, while acknowledging that I would give them the same actual score.

Feel:
L: silky and thick. Slightly hot, but not at all unpleasant. Great balance of bitterness. 4.5 (5.0)
R: medium-thick, but slightly watery. Also a little hot, but again, not at all unpleasant. Not as balanced. 4.0 (4.0)
Edge: L wins this one due to the thickness.

Overall analysis:
Both of these beers are very good, and very tasty. I think I give a slight edge to L overall, based primarily on the mouthfeel; it seems to be made with just a touch more care and subtle use of the barrels. If you're more of a fan of up-front bourbon and extra sugar, then R is definitely more down your alley. They're different beers made in the same style, with a different approach, and both achieve excellent results. Neither lives up to BCBCS in basically any single category.

Pretty happy with where these lined up with my original BA ratings. This morning, I ended up favoring KBS over SMS; my actual rating for each are 4.51 and 4.28, respectively, and I think that fairly ranks out how I have enjoyed them in the past.


Anyone else enjoy this comparison? Feel like chiming in with your two cents? I'm definitely curious to see if anyone else's results are similar or wildly different.

Cheers!

* * *

(SPOILER): Left was KBS, and Right was SMS. That's what I thought going into it, but I did my best to assume that either glass could hold either brew.

 

I haven't found that one yet! At this point, it seems unlikely it'll make it to my corner stores. But believe me, I definitely want to try it.

Fortunately, I happened across some BCBCS on tap last Sunday, completely at random. Confirmed that it still blows both of these away.

 

Please come back and tell me what you think! I personally think BCBCS is miles above both of these brews, but I'd love to see someone else's opinion, especially if it's blind (or as blind as can be).