Down in Kentucky and across the pond in Scotland, distillers who age their whiskeys for many years refer to the evaporation of the spirits from their barrels as “The Angel’s Share.” We couldn’t agree more. Each time a barrel is filled, a measure of liquid seeps into the oak and is lost for good. This striking Strong Ale is brewed with copious amounts of Caramel malt to emphasize the vanilla and oak flavors found in freshly emptied bourbon barrels. The beer spends almost six months in oak before it is packaged for release.
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by eaglefan538 from DE, USA who has tried this beer once. (12/13/2008 10:58:00 AM)
"750ml bottle generously shared by bockyhorsey on a beautiful 80-85F day in phoenix. holy cork pop! dark brown-black body, huge choco-colored head, steady lacing. Wonderful nose of light oak and even some sawdust, light bourbon (really quite light, very nicely done), wonderful bwine underneath (haven't even had my bottle of the regular AS yet). too bad an ounce or so gushed over onto the ground upon opening, so yummy! Thanks, Bill!"
Aroma:
10/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
10/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.8)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[2] Review by Sigmund from Hafrsfjord, Norway who has tried this beer once. (8/26/2008 2:38:24 PM)
"Cask at the GBBF 2008, gravity dispense. Nearly black colour (very dark reddish brown). Intense and lovely aroma of various subtropical woods, winey notes. The mouthfeel has lots of alcoholic warmth as expected. The flavour has notes of oak and fortified wine. Very good. "
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.2)
Sampled: Hand Pump
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[3] Review by Clash from Chattanooga, TN, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/19/2008 1:15:45 AM)
"A dark brown appearance with a carbonated beige head. The aroma is whiskey, chocolate, dark fruit, alcohol, and licorice. The flavor contains a slight sour presence with some chocolate, raisins, licorice, oak, and whiskey. The aftertaste is thick and sweet. Overall a nice beer! "
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
8/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
8/10
Overall:
8/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
[4] Review by Sap from Tucson, AZ, USA who has tried this beer once. (4/6/2008 12:33:46 AM)
"2008 bottle release; Sampled April 2008
Wow, Bourbon Barrel Angel's Share is a gusher, I lost something less than a quarter bottle, even though the bottle was at 48°F / 9°C. A careful pour yields an over-flowing six-finger thick, darkened tan colored head. The beer is a deeply burnt, amber color, and shows a hint of concentrated ruby if held up directly to the light. Rich caramelized malt notes are immediately proceeded by Bourbon barrel notes of vanillin, spicy oak / Bourbon and some buttery oak character. The barrel / Bourbon notes are fairly restrained, but still are perhaps the most noticeable character in the aroma. As my nose gets used to the beer, the butterscotch / butter barrel notes become more apparent as does a warming alcohol aroma. Even a touch of mustiness seems to lurk in the background. The Bourbon barrel character actually gets a bit sharp, even harsh at times, but for the most part the nose remains deeply caramel infused, smooth bourbon barrel character.
It has been ten minutes since pouring this beer and it is still quite well carbonated; a quick swirl of my glass releases the excess CO2 though. Sweet and deeply caramelized with malt induced flavors of toffee and raisins. Starting in the middle a toasty, brown malt character kicks in and provides a touch of dryness, though not enough to offset the lingering, rich, complex, malt sweetness that just sticks to the palate. Quite a bit lighter than one might expect from a beer that is 12.5% abv; it does have some heft to it as it is certainly a sipping beer, but it definitely has a light feel to it and at times can seem a bit thin. The Bourbon barrel character is quite a bit softer than it was in the aroma. Typical flavors of spicy oak, vanillin and buttery oak (this last more so in the finish) are found here and the Bourbon provides some alcohol heat. Somehow the beer actually tastes a bit vinous to me; a mix of port, sherry and a full bodied Sancerre. The finish is spicy and sharp with hot Bourbon notes (though not overwhelmingly so).
Somehow not nearly as well integrated, nor nearly so tasty as the 2006 Brandy version (I have yet to try the 2007). I could see this getting close, but somehow the base beer has changed too much while residing in the barrel. I wonder if the changed flavor, lightened body, along with the gushing, is caused by a slight infection? If so it is not so much as to drastically effect things or even be overtly noticeable, but this beer is just enough off to keep it from being great."
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.5)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 375ml @ $18 Unit Cost: $22.71 per Pint
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(4.8)
