Vintage 2018 (Release #12). There seem to be at least 13 Releases of this particular vintage, most of them with different ABVs. The ABV of this particular Release is 11.2 %. The beer pours thick, bright black. Introvert carbonation creates a silky, fawn head that decides to not grow taller than half a finger. A neat lace ring decorates the top for significantly long. The scent is less complex than I thought: dark chocolate dominates the olfactory provision, accompanied by cacao nibs. Foxy Bourbon sneaks in almost unnoticed. Cold black coffee is easily detectable and actually nicely sweet as if seasoned with lactose. The gustatory punch storms fiercely my taste receptors. Mocha is extraordinarily bitter and harrowing, especially when it merges with the alcoholic touch of confused Bourbon and rum. The sharply tangy sensation is a kind of turn-off. When I manage to get back on track, I can recognize a suggestion of raw cacao nibs behind the curtain. My disappointment is that I fail to find almond that is promised by the label. Well, no can do. 🤷🏻‍♂️ The body is medium to medium-full. Surely not up to the level of expectation as for 11.2 %. The beer finishes with truly sharp and bitter mocha and bags of light-roasted coffee beans. Bourbon is there but it messes badly with the intense oak barrel. Most likely I can also pick some rum because the alcoholic cocktail is quite messy and offensive, yet Bourbon alone or rum alone should hug you for welcome. The aftertaste buys a cup of coffee that tastes so bad that it winces while the tastebuds laugh silently for quite some time. The mouthfeel is strong, intense and truly tangy. It's a tad alcoholic, sharp, distinctly barrel aged but also substantially woody. The mouthfeel is, further on, charred and somewhat dry. What is really awesome here is that it lacks softness, roundness and fullness. This is an real nasty bad ass!

Friends beer share. Taste has coconut, whiskey, rum and chocolate notes. Pretty good. I remember liking it more fresh. 3.75/5

Tuoksussa reilusti kookosta, taustalla pähkinää, kahvia ja pientä paahdetta. Suutuntuma on hieman yli keskitäyteläisen, reilujen hiilihappojen auttaessa kokonaisuutta. Maussa kahvisuus ja pieni kitkeryys tulee enemmän esiin. Paahteisuutta, suklaata ja pientä pähkinäisyyttä. Tynnyröinti on harmittavasti liian pienessä roolissa. Bourbonia en löydä juurikaan, rommia ja pientä vaniljaa aromien hieman avautuessa. Alkoholi on todella hyvin piilossa. Makeutta löytyy keskiasteisesti, mutta lopetus on kuivahko, joten varsinaista Pastry Stoutia tästä ei saa. Tynnyröinnin miinuksista huolimatta todella hyvä olut.

Such a tasty beer

Rum, whiskey, almonds, coconut and some coffee in the aroma. Taste has rum, chocolate, coffee, bourbon and some almonds. This is delicious. I'm going to grab another bottle to age. High 4.5/5