Abyss

I have yet to see The Abyss fall apart. I've recently had 2008 and 2009 vintages, and both were excellent (I discussed the 2009 vintage in the November cellar reviews thread). That being said, I prefer The Abyss fresh, when it's mean and bold and really slaps you in the face.

 

I've never had The Abyss, but just in case you haven't seen it, there is a mass online tasting taking place this weekend. Probably worth keeping your eye on to see which vintages will be popped open.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/events/info/76825/

 

Happy to see this thread. I got a 2013 in trade last year and still have not gotten around to cracking it. Good to know they cellar as well as I'd hoped.

 

I'm in the process of trading for an 06 and 07. Trade partner said they had another 07 recently and it was phenomenal. I've had 09 recently and it was fantastic.

 

I did 2006-2012 side by side in December 2012 with five friends and family. The 2006 was incredible and blew everything else away. I still have multiples back to 2010 in the fridge I am sitting on.

 

The second you pick it up off the shelf.

 

I drank my 2010 a few months ago and it was great. Open and enjoy.

 

Contrary to what everyone has been saying here I have had a couple of 2008's recently and they were very both heavily oxidized. The bottles were purchased from Deschutes (in Portland) several years ago and have been stored properly since then. The most recent one was just a few weeks ago and it was hard to drink. Very heavy sherry and wet cardboard that overpowered the beer. Personally, I have found my preferred sweet spot for Abyss is between 3 and 5 years.

 

Interesting. I love aged Abyss & have had a ton of them over the years, anywhere up to 8 years old. I've never, not once, had any of them be even slightly oxidized...& I'd notice right away, because I despise oxidation in my beers. I haven't had an '08 since last year & it was still my favorite year ever. I think you were just unlucky.

 

I'm a fan of it fresher, so for me after 3 years it leaves me wishing I had drank it sooner. 09 was a good year IMO, even the infected bottles I had were pretty good (some sour Brett, others acidic smoke). 08 was a good year too, but what made it great (flameout/barrel additions) had faded over time. I did a 06-13 vert in '13 and felt the older vintages- while good in their own right- were missing what made the fresher vintages "pop".

Dang this is getting me thinking I should open an '11 tonight to fend off the cold...

 

I opened a 2011 the other day. Still great. Had a 2007 over Labor Day, it was amazing. Worth aging at proper temps if u can

 

Once the 15 comes out, and depending on if we get the variants in our area, me and my brother will be doing an 06-15 vertical of this. I'm extremely excited.

I've seen that 07 is still drinking ok, and I know that 06 is well beyond its prime but I'm very excited to try this!

 

Thanks for volunteering to give a full report when you finish. Foreal, that's awesome you've got an opportunity to do a vertical going back to the original release. Foreal, report back.

 

I have scattered years from 08 to present. The '10 that I had a month or so ago drank very well. I need to just drink the early releases sooner than later with hopes they will be to my liking. Thanks for the info here!

 

I started drinking these in 2011 with the '09 being the first vintage. I've found drinking it fresh yields predominantly licorice and black coffee flavors and I'm guessing is the source of the more negative reviews. In my experience they are best at 2-3 years when the aforementioned flavors tone down (they're still there) and the bark, chocolate and wine notes come out. It's my favorite stout because all of those flavors separate and come at you in series with each sip. Also why I would expect these variants to taste nothing like Abyss.