Cuvee Sofie with Schaarbeekse kriek aged on third time used French oak red wine barrel from Domaine Harmand Geoffroy.
The fifth Fellowship ale cannot exist without the fourth, a necessary duality like the two trees of Valinor; this one is made the same way as the 2016 version, but the Schaarbeekse cherries in this case are applied to Cuvée Sofie that has been aged for 'only' one year in wine barrels instead of two. Poured right next to the 2016 version, this one looks almost exactly the same, with an unstable array of large, white-reflecting bubbles that disappear quickly over a deep and misty, red beer, this one seemingly a tad deeper ruby-hued than the 2016 version, a very subtle difference only made visible in comparison with one another. Aroma has the same degree of complexity as its elderly counterpart, but with a slightly more crisp cherry juice (almost blood orange-like) and a slightly 'fuller' cherry jam effect, more actual wet wood than aromatic 'oak vanilla', a tad more 'dustiness', more outspoken red wine presence and somewhat more prominent solventy barrel effects (wood glue). Feels a bit tangier and brighter in the mouth as well, a cascade of juicy sour cherries with red berry effects, but backed by the same basic soft Cuvée Sofie maltiness as the 2016 version, equally softly carbonated. Tannic effects from the wood treatment merge with cherry skin wryness, while the cherry flesh acidity - even if the cherry part is exactly the same in this one as in the 2016 version - seems even more fiery and tangy. Ends very complex, long, woody, fruity and almost madera-like, with a soothing alcohol glow rounding off the flavor 'parcours' in the very end. The more youthful of both trees, this one too nevertheless exudes nobility, wisdom and depth - so by no means is this the lesser one of the two. Different but equal, both Laurelins are truly worthy Fellowship ales to enjoy with care and patience - this is sour ale at a world class level.