bells black note.

It is fantastic whenever you open it up!

 

Definitely keep it for a while. Every year the don't bottle it the price with double from "rare"

 

In all seriousness, Black Note was "ready to drink" last March. I was floored by how good it was fresh, and I have a hard time believing that it would improve that much by aging. It might smooth out a bit, but not necessarily "improve."

Bell's and Founder's have a similar MO of releasing their beer with the intention that you should be able to drink it now. But like @Mipper noted, it's going to be fantastic whenever.

 

Even if stop it gets and good

 

We just had '12 and '14 the other night, '14 still has almost a slight 'hop bite' to it, but '12 is smooth as silk. If you have never had Black Note OP, drink it now and find another bottle to sit on for a while.

 

I don't think black note ages well...I enjoy it fresh the best, tends to loose flavor with time in my opinion

 

Drink it, damn you! Drink it all!

 

I don't think Black Note gets bad with a year or two of age, but I don't really think it improves with time either. I prefer drinking Black Note within the first 18 months or so. Whereas BCBS I definitely like better with a little age.

 

I got a case of the 2014 bottles. They were damn good fresh. However, the last one I had about 6 months ago was a soy sauce bomb. I have four bottles left. I want to compare them to the next batch of Black Note to be bottled.

 

As is so often nearly always suggested if you haven't had it before drink it up. You won't know know or be able to fully appreciate the differences in the newer/aged if you haven't had it first fresh[ish]. I had a '14 last fall and it was sensational. I was thrilled that it lived up to my expectations. Had a '12 back in August and had most certainly 'mellowed'. Certainly doesn't go through the transformations that BCBS is famous for going through.

 

I like them better fresh

 

I drank my 2012 just under 2 years from the bottling date and it was absolutely spectacular. Like many have said, pretty sure you can't open this "early" but I'd be willing to bet now or soon is a good time to crack it open.

 

I had a bottle of 2014 in February of this year and thought it was great; lots of dark chocolate with a subtle bourbon flavor. Opened another bottle from the same 4 pack last weekend and it seemed a little over the hill. Sort of bland with a hint of diacetyl and not much bourbon character left. But take my observations with a grain of salt as I don't have a proper cellar and it has been sitting in a closet.

 

Same exact experience here. Managed to get a case. Fresh was just absolutely amazing, however last couple bottles had some hints of soy. Glad you voiced this, I thought my palate was playing terrible tricks on me.

 

+1 for ASAP. Had a '14 last night and finding that the barrel is fading fast, other flavors were not melding together great and got a slight 'dill' note in it. Not sure what that was all about but I don't think these will be getting better. Drink up!

 

Luckily I have not had that experience. had '12 and '14 side by side the other night, and both were drinking great. '14 tasted a little 'hoppier' still like fresh Expedition, and '12 was super smooth and mellow.

Now if people would actually cellar their beers instead of calling a closet a cellar...