Dark Lord and Cellaring

Personally I have found that Vanilla tastes the best sooner rather than later. Also, regular DL with 1-2 years is good but 2-3 years is amazing. Split decision on DL's tasted with 4 years. Agreed the 11 I had with 2.5 -3 years was amazing so I'd stick with that time frame.

 

I haven't had the 2015 so I can't comment on that specifically, but my two cents is that Dark Lord (pre 2014 which is what I've had) varied wildly from year-to-year, from the sublime near-perfection of the 2008 to the twitch-inducing-sugar-bomb that was 2009, & so forth. I can tell you that the '08 is still fantastic & might have even improved a titch, while every '09 I've had has been between blah & blech, with little to no change over time.

My memory isn't keen enough to recall what the 2011 tastes like, but not every year of Dark Lord is destined to improve. However, if you loved it after four years & have multiples, hang on to it. I've have haven't had a Dark Lord old enough that it's turned to garbage.

 

where in PA? I got a '13 and '14 I've been aging, could be a helluva tasting party...

 

Having had 15 relatively fresh (maybe 3-4 months old), I don't think it will take as long as 11 or 12, but I'd say 2-3 years will do it well.

Also first BVDL I had was 2 years old and FANTASTIC. It was a 12. Can't comment on how it is fresh though, but can say that the 12 held up well for 2 years.

 

I usually wait 2.5 years before cracking Dark Lord. I only have had one of my 13 bottles so far and that was mostly as a celebratory gesture on Dark Lord Day since my wife and I couldn't attend this year. I've still got one 2011 left and while it seemed to be starting to pack it in, there was still a lot of good molasses and coffee flavors when we had it last Christmas. The curves on a lot of Dark Lord vintages can be weird. Just because one seems to be going downhill doesn't mean it won't pick right back up again. It's a massive beer. 2010 and onward, especially, since they ratcheted the ABV up to 15%.

 

Has anyone opened a 2012 recently?

 

Cracked one a few weeks ago and kept one back for the vert. We did a side-by-side with the '15 and both were very tasty. The '12 was sweeter than I previously remember, but was silky smooth and mellowed out the boozy flavor to almost nothing. '15 could use a year or more.

 

Thanks. I think 2012 has been the least good vintage of recent years. I am glad to hear it is doing better so that I can finally open one again without disappointment

 

just drank a 2015 vanilla bean dark lord yesterday and it was pretty perfect.
loads of fudge and sweet vanilla balanced out by a roast coffee flavor on the tail end.
Very close to being too sweet.
This has got to be the easiest 15% abv beer to drink in the universe.
mouthfeel is basically a milkshake and velvety smooth.

 

I had my 14 at about a year and it was very good. I have never had it fresh, but I really enjoyed that bottle

 

I opened a 2011 a few weeks ago and it was goddamned delicious.

 

so what is the peak? Ive got one 2015 (had one fresh this year also) So I am cellaring and wondering what the potential consensus is on when to crack and when is past prime?

 

I read an interview with one of the Floyds (Nick, I think?), who said he wouldn't open a bottle of Dark Lord for at least two years. This year was my first DLD, I shared one bottle with friends right away, but plan to save the rest for 2-3 years.

 

Opened a '08 at one of the New Glarus releases, and it was still drinking great.

 

We did a vertical of 09-14 around DLD this year and I think my preference went to the 09 and 11, but the 13 was up there also. They came from a variety of places, so how they were stored may play a factor into that also. I have to say they were all good, in moderation.

 

I have an '09 and a bunch of '11 in my cellar.
I suppose I should crack into an '11 to see what's going on.
Anyone had any '09 recently (besides IowaBiertrinker)? any opinions?

 

Any opinions on saving a 07 till 2017?? 10th wedding anniversary and I just got a 07 off of a friend of mine that has been cellaring it for the last 8 years

 

Anyone tried or know anyone that has tried the Moscato barrel aged Dark Lord from 2014? Dark Lord is sweet and Moscato wine is super sweet so I've just been letting it ahe hoping it won't be a sugary gut bomb. I literally never hear about this variant. It was the only one available by the time I was able to buy.