7.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottle. Dark brown, creamy foam. Aroma: sweet, caramel, jam, coffee, bourbon, maple syrup. Taste: sweet, maple syrup, caramel, a little bourbon and vanilla, not bad.

7.8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle (2017, vintage 005) from Total Wine & More, Burlington. Appearance is dark brown (almost black) and ruby with light source directly behind with nice sparkle at the edges of the glass, finger-width beige, crackling head with poor retention and trace lacing. Aroma is strong bourbon and oak, lighter sweet/tart fruit with more muted roasted malt. Taste is strong bourbon, oak, caramel malt, dark fruit, coconut, and hint of vanilla. Mouthfeel is medium side of light-to-medium bodied with smooth texture, average carbonation with pleasant mild alcohol warmth and sweet finish as taste. Overall, missing the coffee and chocolate (aged too long?) and the bourbon is a bit high in the mix, overshadowing the underlying stout. Almost more like an aged barleywine. Maybe would benefit from more aging? Less?

8.1

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

I am unsure of when or where I obtained this 12 oz bottle of 2017 vintage Velvet Merkin. Just know it has been in the inventory for some time. We are having a very cool February evening, time to get the bottle opened and tried. I like snifters for sampling stouts, my Buffalo Bayou glass will handle this one. The pour delivers a dark walnut brown body finsihed with a slim but steady top of light tan foam. I get a nose of chocolate and the barrel. Finally a drink and I find it more subdued than expected. Malt, chocolate, a ribbon candy sweetness, strawberries and a nice coffee finish. Very pleasant.

8.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 9

2017 bottle. Great nose with sweet roasty oaky overtones. Very understated bourbon note on there tongue, less sweet than your average bourbon aged beer which is good. Fantastic roasty tones in there too. One of the best bourbon aged beers I've had.

8.4

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 10 | Overall - 8.5

2018 bottle (7.8% ABV). Deceptively good, with a complexity that slowly develops as the pint warms. Starts with a solid dose of semisweet chocolate and bourbon, yet grows a decadent undertone full of coconut, caramel, and vanilla, underscored by plum and black cherry and roast. Finishes semisweet with veins of anise and oak. Absolutely delicious.

8

Yesterday. Good stuff!

8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle @ Dangerous Bottleshares #whoknowshowmany. Thanks for this Zakoon. Pours black with a small offwhite head. Aromas of bourbon, light smoke, dark chocolate, malt. Taste is bourbon, vanilla, dark chocolate, malt, tobacco.

7.5

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Darkish brown, just a thin head. Smells like it might be a bit tart. On the palate, lots of deep fruits and rich dark sugars. Good body. Nice stuff!

8.6

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

355 ml bottle in cardboard box, vintage 2017, from Vinmonopolet Kvadrat. ABV is 8.5%. Black colour, large tan head. Aroma of roast malts, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla and oak. Smooth flavour with the same elements, not too sweet, moderate hops. A very enjoyable beer.