375mL bottle drunk 4/9/26.
God damn. Haven't been to Side Project all of 2025 or 2026 so far. I like to put some age on my bottles and these are from the end of 2024 which is generally the earliest I like to open them, if I can (12-18 months). This smells sooooo, sooo good. I have missed their stouts! So much beautiful Willett and here rounded by the 1792 character that seems to add a bit more sweetness and approachability. Deep, dense, fudge-laden malts but not too sweet, and there's no alcohol to be found. Spicy Willett and its elegant, antique character for days....
Huge spice up front with black cherry, light oxidation and significant char. Rich and malty, of course, but not syrupy, though very thick. Not too sweet and it actually takes quite a bit of this dense malt character to balance the barrel in all of its immense glory. Black pepper, char and softer cherry notes on the finish with hints of vanilla and semi-sweet chocolate. Never sweet at any point here, though always malty. Actually missing a bit of the sweet syrupiness that I've come to expect from a lot of their stouts. But it's a masterpiece nonetheless. Mastery of barrel expression at its finest.

375mL bottle drunk 4/9/26.
Big, rich, slightly funky, slightly musty, tastefully oaky nose with plentiful malt still remaining to balance the dryness and acid. Good fruitiness, with no sign of acetic nor any heavy lactic acidity. Everything seems nicely integrated and even the white wine is mild, tasteful. Still retains a good deal of Sacch. character, which is surprising and welcome. Lingering orange rind and floral notes.
Big and bold with an oakiness that isn't too tannic or toasted. Right away there is a soft, gently syrupy, gently sweet unfermented honey character that helps to balance the dryness and acid from wood and culture. Definitely little, if any, honey fermentation character, which I really appreciate, not finding it to be all that enjoyable or complementary to most beers. 8 years on and this has just as much body as you'd expect from a fresh beer of its nature. Elegant butter and white wine with exceptional malt depth and yet still properly attenuated. Acidity present in a very balanced way. For every couple Side Project sours/BA saisons that you open and they're just cringingly acidic, you get one of these and it makes it all worth it.