Dark Lord 2009 vs. 2010

I've always thought 09 was a horrible year for Dark Lord. Apparently, 2009 has a bit of a surge right now, but I don't know if that's real or fabricated. 2010 was very good about 6 months ago.

 

2009 is drinking very well right now.

It is still sweeter and has more dark fruit character than a typical Dark Lord vintage, but I think it is at, or right about, its peak.

2010 is drinking well, but seems to be a mild valley at the moment.

My personal experience / palate have shown me that 3 to 4 years is about the prime for Dark Lord, and recent tastings have proven that out to me (2008, which was always my favorite vintage, is on the decline and 2009 is coming into its own).

Cheers!

 

I think 2004 and 2006 were the best vintages
2007 a close third

All the vintages age well

 

had an '09 a month ago. i really liked it. surprising amount of char/chocolate character. i know the cool kids have moved on to morerarez.com but it was great beer IMHO.

 

I'd imagine that it's ridiculously sweet, but you should expect that.

 

I opened my Dark Lord 08-12 vertical in June. In specific regards to how I felt 2009 and 2010 were tasting:

2009 - still very sweet, almost as much as "fresh" Dark Lord
2010 - hint of sweetness, extremely well-balanced with dark chocolate and dark fruit undertones

I ranked 2010 as my favorite of all five years, and 2009 fell in the 4th spot.

Some food for thought, cheers!

 

I haven't had '09, but of the '10, '11, and '12 I've had I'd say the '10 was my favorite. Which is also to say it was "meh".

 

I will never... Ever... Understand the fascination with this beer. I've had it on 3-4 occasions, and each time, I say "yep, still cloying sweet, and basically undrinkable past 4oz".

 

Had the 2010 2 days ago. Ill just say dont open it yet, let it sit for at least 9 months to a year from now

 

We had a beer tasting a few weeks ago and opened 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. About 30 people tasted them and it was unanimous that 2009 was the favorite of the 4 years. 2012 came in second and the others a close third. With that said they were all exceptional.

 

What a coincidence-I've got exactly 2 DLs in the cellar, an '09 and a '10, and was thinking about opening them this weekend. If I do, I'll report back.

 

Opened a 2010 a couple nights ago, it is drinking very nice... Dark Lord calms down considerably with a few years on it. Compared to the 2012 that i've opened recently, it was hand down better. The 2012 that was WAY too hot and alcohol was so bold up front that I couldn't get past it.

 

I liked 'em both in March 2012.
I liked 'em both in April 2010.