Two questions about Samuel Smith Stingo

I just picked up a bottle a week or so ago. I've had it periodically since it was released and it's always been great, so I'm trusting it'll still be holding up.

 

Yorkshire Stingo has a somewhat unique taste profile. is there a strain of brett in the oak barrels they use?

retail price point is generally around $12-14 (I work for a Merchant du Vin distributor - Sam Smiths importer) and our wholesale price works out to be about $11/bottle before discounts

 

12.99 in western mass

 

I have found it for $12 in TX. The first time I saw it down here in Mexico, they were asking for around $25, so I had to pass. When I saw it for $12, I pulled the trigger. It's definitely worth it in my opinion. I won't be buying very regularly, but every once in a while, I do believe it is a fantastic and uniquely good and tasty brew. I get a crazy Stingo craving about every 2 or 3 months. I tried an Innis & Gunn once, and think it has some similar characteristics. The oak on the Innis & Gunn was more coconuty, but I liked it for similar reasons that I liked Stingo. Stingo was still better IMHO.