Vintage BCS Question

While not raised in your post, opened a 2006 and 2007 over the course of the last week and a half.

2006 is absolutely fantastic. Very well-balanced, great up-front vanilla and dark chocolate notes, drinking very well.

2007 is good, but in a different way. The bitter chocolate taste is more forward in 2007 now and coupled with more bourbon flavor than I recall tasting in a previous bottle from last year, and the bottle I opened had a bit of an acidity from the alcohol on the back end.

IMO, 2006 was drinking absolutely amazing, and while the 2007 was good, I may sit on my last couple bottles for a little while longer.

 

Has anyone recently has '07 or '08 recently? How are they drinking now?

 

Maybe try cellaring forum....

 

Yah, but has any one had the PVW 07 bcbs recently?

 

When we did a vert 05-11 last winter the consensus that the peak was either 2008 or 2009. Some thought the 2008 had fallen off a shade. Everyone though the 2007 had started falling off.

 

08 is, without a doubt, the most perfect vintage ever released. It drank amazingly then, it's drinking amazingly now, and will continue to do so for, by my guess, 3 more years.

 

A place near us had a keg of '08 on tap early this summer & it was divine.

I'm not a big fan of fresh BCS (I mean, it's good, but heh, I wouldn't go far out of my way), so the fact that this four-year old BCS was probably a top ten beer for me, ever, was a bit of a shock.

So, holding up? No frickin' way. Hugely improved, I'd say. By the bay.

 

i had an '08 a few months ago and thought it was fantastic but honestly i think '11 is my favourite.

 

I had an '06-'11tasting about 6 weeks ago, and the '07 and '08 were the consensus best of the night. I thought the '06 was past it prime. If you have or can get either of them you should. Drink them soon and enjoy!

 

2008 BCBS is kind of my specific hobby within the beer universe. I tend to bust it out on special occasions every few months and always do a review to see how it is doing (not posted online). The last six I had were on the following dates.... 2/14/11, 4/15/11, 5/30/11, 12/31/11, 8/10/12 and three days ago... 9/24/12.

First it is true that fresh, 2008 was a jewel of the series with 2011 giving it a good run. But, at this monent with almost 4 years on it (I've seen two batches, 10/8/08 and 10/21/08) 2008 is materially better than 2011. Maybe 4 year old 2011 will compare, but we'll have to wait and see.

Anyway, since 2/14/11, 2008 BCBS has not changed much and certainly has not degraded. As of 3 days ago, I still had dark fruit, sweetness, chocolate, bourbon, and hint of espresso. There was still a solid non-abrasive alcohol bite and no oxidation. I think this easily has another 2 years of peak to go. The beer is just too resilient to deteriorate faster.

One caveat... I store them properly in the dark at 55 degrees although the one I had in August was from the back of the closet (had fallen over so i couldn't see it) and was subjected to up to 75 degrees in the summers. It tasted the same as the 2008 before and after it.

So bottom line, enjoy the 2008 now, but don't feel the need to chug it before it goes to crap. You have time.

 

2008 was amazing when had in Feb. I want to do a full vertical if anyone is interested. I have 06-12

 

Only Pappy 06. What, didnt you know... #FTAPPY06/ISO:WALESBRO

 

Actually, I think 2011 is the best FRESH batch of BCS ever, though I havent drank a 2012 yet. 2007-2010 were "hot" fresh

 

Did both 05s this month...for a little qc...no complaints.....im a total friggin badass

 

Did an 06-10 vertical earlier in the year and the 08 was by far the favorite, followed by 06 and 10, 09 was "too hot" for some, not me though.

One thing I will mention, and I don't do many verticals so forgive me if this is common knowledge, but I didn't care much for the 06 after tasting the others. The 06 was amazing at first sip, but after I went down the line and came back to it, it tasted like soy sauce. Might be a topic for a different thread but just wanted throw out my experience FWIW.

Cheers.

 

Had 06 the night before DLD and we thought it smelled amazing but was on the thinner side and the flavor did not match the smell. Felt that the 07 I had a few months ago was much better but the 08 I had a few weeks ago was the best vintage I have had in the past few months...in my opinion of course.

Cheers

 

There has not been a bad year.
Every single frikin year has been amazing and continues to be amazing.
There is nothing like GIBCS
Ages amazingly