The thirtieth iteration of barrel aged Black Damnations already, this time aged on barrels previously containing some Kentucky bourbon - since last year apparently, when the beer was brewed. It seems the original idea of delivering this series in distinct cycles has been largely abandoned, as this is basically a mere continuation of the second 'cycle', in which Black Albert was aged in a series of different liquor barrels. Thanks to Craftmember for delivering the bottle! Quite thick and moussy, creamy, fine-bubbled, membrane-lacing, pale beige, stable head on a black beer with thin burgundy edges. Aroma of chocolate sauce from a flask, mocha ice cream, strong bourbon piercing through, coffee grounds or cold espresso, moist walnuts, even some damp earth underneath, wet oak wood, dried blackberries, chewing tobacco, fig compote, tar, fresh paint, salmiak, soggy brown bread, burnt coconut, chestnut, brown rum, varnish or even nail polish remover. Sweet onset, blackberry, fig and prune effects, with a thin umami edge (porcini), lively carbonated with a minerally effect but still acceptable for an imperial stout as far as I am concerned; very full, heavy, oily mouthfeel. Dark-chocolatey, toffeeish, pecan-nutty middle, sweetish caramelly core buried under heaps of drier, more bitter flavours with a well-developed, explicitly coffee-like roasted bitterness in the second half, supported by a firm leafy hop bitterness and drying wood tannins; salmiak-, chewing tobacco- and leather-like accents accompany a hot, long, 'full' finish, where the roasted bitterness seems to last forever, albeit increasingly 'heated' by the bourbon, bringing an alcoholic astringency and solventy effect to the whole which at this age is perhaps a bit much. That said, there is no doubt that this booziness and solventiness will 'flatten' with age, making things more 'noble', more balanced and less harsh; this beer is as full as Black Albert ever was, in any case, and seamlessly connects with the preceding variants - not even adding anything very distinct, though it does show a lot of character. Enjoyed it - sipping slowly - like I did the other 'second generation' Black Damnations, and I can also appreciate the fact that this comes in more palatable 33 cl bottles...

bottle at neils... dark black... thin tan lacing... soft sweet chocolate.. tiny islay... dark chocolate roast malts... Light iodine.. rich riast

Bottle 33 cl. Dark brown colour, coffee foam. Aroma: sweet, bourbon, caramel, chocolate, vanilla, barrel, bread, dried fruits. Sweetish taste, good bourbon, vanilla, oak, caramel, low bitterness, mild alcohol, warm, good one.

28/VIII/21 - 33cl can from Willems (Grobbendonk), shared @ summer holiday in France, bottled: 25/VI/21, BB: +5Y, L20210024 (2021-984)

Clear dark brown to black beer, small creamy beige head, stable, non adhesive. Aroma: lovely, lots of dark chocolate, vanilla, dark caramel, alcohol, yeasty, some ripe banana. MF: soft carbon, medium to full body. Taste: alcohol up front, a little bitter, good roast, bit sweet, lots of vanilla. Aftertaste: dark chocolate, some coconut, bitter, roasted, oxidized, cocoa powder, some alcohol, a bit of a malty touch, nice one! Pleasantly surprised by this nice stout.

Magus, mõru, alks, kohvi, šokolaad, röst, suhkur, tamme ka. Kuiv lõpp. Nats liiga alkone, aga muidu päris hea magustoit. 3.8