I still deeply regret the decision La Trappe made - years ago - to reduce the distribution of their Quadrupel Oak Aged series, making it a lot harder (and more expensive) for me to obtain them, because this is the original oak aged quad series after all and it has brought me a lot of joy in the years when it was still relatively easily available. Anyway, thanks to Bart again for sharing this 54th variant, aged on Bordeaux wine barrels. Pale greyish-white, medium thick, opening, membrane-lacing head over an initially clear bronze-brown robe with copper-red glow, misty further on. Aroma of caramel candy, almond, pronounced oak 'vanilla', dried lingonberries, brandy, brown sugar, gingerbread, bubblegum, sugared tea, banana peel. Sweet, rounded onset, candi-sugary but not cloying, banana ester mingled with impressions of blue plum, raisin and candied cherry, this time also with a grape-juicy undertone from the wine barrels; medium carb, full but smooth body. Caramelly and brown-bread-doughy malt core, bubblegummy edges, hints of toffee and almond here and there, evolving into a complex finish with a more vinous character, strongly coloured by woodiness (including that vanillin effect) but also very clearly showing red Bordeaux wine effects, even though the expected grapey and tannic tartness fails to materialise - for better or for worse. Instead, a warming brandy-ish alcohol effect comes in, highlighting the dark maltiness and fruitiness rather than the astringency of red wine. The Bordeaux is there, but somehow in a more smoothened way than I was expecting - but it remains a prime example of its ilk, and it felt really heartwarming to be able to revisit a fine series I have been missing out on for many years now. If only I could catch up with all of them...

Bottle shared at tasting. Dark red-brown color, medium to full sized beige head. Aroma and flavor are malts, brown malts, dark wholegrain bread, wood, lightly some spices, weird aftertaste. Hmm this is one of the worst of the series I'd say.