So this has in 3 years gone through 3 casks, Bourbon/Port/Sherry – but the thing about casking is you kinda need time and while you do get some of the sherry finish here – it’s not ideal in any way. Add some massive burn and sugary nonsense and you begin to think maybe this shouldn’t be blonde and maybe – it just needs more time to age. As it stands though this is basically worthless.
White Oak: 3.0 – The bourbon barrel aging really has made this a sad excuse for a beer ruining what was good. Overall that sweetness just makes it bad, and any amount of spice or hops or flavor is just overpowered and ruined..
Price Average: $15
Website: https://www.thebruery.com/
Avancé: 8.0 – It’s a bit weird to go from a sour that’s aged as that certainly has an aspect here, giving this a sort of graham cracker like feeling, and of course that’s complemented by the heavy strawberry flavoring. The result is like almost cheesecake like but w/o the cream and also it’s a beer. One does wonder if they made it with lactaid if it could pull off such a feat, but as is it’s a decidedly delicious and unique beer nonetheless.
Price Average: $13
Website: https://www.allagash.com/
If you are here for our take on this whiskey and willing to accept us at our word – don’t. If however, you are here for a reason you fully know why (because some sort of machismo old-timey boxing bullshit check-in) then we guess you should read further so that we can wholeheartedly change your mind.
Grain Reaper: 4.0 – The barley wine style certainly has an input here but that barrel aging just overrides so much. It’s just an awkward blend of sugar and malt
Price Average: $12
Website: https://springdalebeer.com/
We here have been long time fans of the Grand Macnish 12 year for being all the scotch your well decanter ever needs, at a price that’s competitive. It lets you feel good about buying some new single malt because it’s always there for you if it ends up being something like Jura. This is a new edition (much like the 15yr sherry) that’s aged in charred casks – and proves that maybe you should just leave things well alone.
Wow, time really does fly by. Three years ago we reviewed the Reposado of this and mused about trying the Anejo in bourbon barrels. While we didn’t build up any expectations, sadly we were still let down kind of. The main issue seems to be that by ageing it in bourbon it’s oddly picked up harshness and isn’t the smooth sipping tequila it should be.
‘Devilwood’ American Wild Ale: 1.5 – This says it’s a bourbon barrel aged Belgian style ale. Those may all be true words, but let it be said that just because your style of beer takes 5 minutes to say doesn’t mean we can’t sum up a review in a single word – Disgusting.
Price Average: $9 for half-bottle
Website: https://wickedweedbrewing.com/
The image below does a decent job of catching how blue and striking this case and bottle are, but it’s certainly not the same thing. One would think something like this would have happened before what with the whole movie industry getting behind the teal-and-orange color palate, but it’s refreshing to see on a liquor store shelf. The scotch overall though is classic ‘fiddich.
Sebago Bourbon Barrel Stout: 4.0 – See the problem I have now when it comes to beers doing specifically bourbon barrel aging is that it’s a misguided attempt (as is the case here), because it just makes the beer too sweet, and not really something you enjoy drinking, but then I remember Allagash when they did their Black in bourbon barrels, and then wonder why everyone else is having such a hard time with it.
Google Shop Average: Sebago Bourbon Barrel Stout $11
Website: http://sebagobrewing.com/