This is sweeter tasting than I expected, but the alcohol really boosts the perceived sweetness. This has lots of fruit flavors that form a mix of apple and substantial brandy-like notes that are also accented by oak notes of vanillin and lightly spicy oak. This has a hot alcohol finish to it as well as a bit of sharpness. A bit of oxidation seems to play a role here and there are some definite nutty flavors with an accentuating, light sherry note and something a bit like Amaretto. This has a very light carbonation, but it still has a soft prickle to it as it flows across the tongue. This is quite light for a beer of this strength and is in fact quite quaffable.

This is a very soft beer (in both flavor, body and aroma). It is actually amazingly subtle for a beer of this strength. It is almost not beer like; the Bourbon barrel and fruity Belgian notes combine to make this something else. It is sort of a fruity, Belgian-esque something-or-other. Definitely worth the experience and interesting.

Purchased: South Bay Drugs, Imperial Beach CA"

Aroma: 6/10 Appearance: 7/10 Mouthfeel: 8/10 Flavor: 8/10 Overall: 7/10

Final Rating, by Style: (3.6) Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 750ml @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint