Dutch Bargain - Black Tropical Beach Prösterchen Schwarze Strände sind nicht so mein Ding, aber ein gepflegtes Stout. 😋 Tiefes Schwarz und eine gut ausgeprägte, einigermaßen standhafte, haselnussbraune Blume erfreut die Augen. Die Nase ist dezent fruchtig, oder eher doch Kaffee? Ich bleibe unschlüssig. Beim Trinken bleibt es erstaunlich leicht, die 8 Prozent Alkoholgehalt sind perfekt eingebunden. Bounty in bitterer Schokolade schimmert durch. Insgesamt eher Zartbittere und / oder Espresso-Macchiato . Eine interessante Stout-Interpretation und dafür Danke an Sushi. 🙋🏻‍♂️ 4/4/4/4

The second of the Elegance ’24 series. The first was a Bourbon BA, enjoyed 1.5 weeks ago. Now a Cognac BA version. The appearance is muddy, oily black. As expected. Subdued carbonation. A limited bronze lacing, falls short of one finger. Soon a mere hair-thin ring orbits the surface. The first inhale leaves me in awe: I anticipate cognac but, instead, I receive red wine. Oak barrel is oak barrel, regardless of the content. But red wine? Purple grape is obvious. Faint raisin, wood and plum. That's pretty much it all. Not bad though. Okay, the sip. Sweet. Syrupy. Cane sugar. Date, cognac, rum, red wine, sweet plum. A bit of milk chocolate and cacao nibs. And barrel notes. Apparent barrel notes albeit not really woody. Basically, palatable but the sweetness shoots a tad too high. The body is medium-full to full. Somehow I experience this variable marginally less pronounced now compared to the BBA edition. Can't say why, they both clock 11 %. Ends like it starts. Sweet and sugary. Feels full. Almost. And sticky, even sappy, somewhat heavy, deep, definitely barrel aged but also slightly vinous. Interesting. Glues lips, for sure. I was thrilled by the BBA version. I'm not that overexcited about this CBA one. This is tasty but the oversweetness is, unfortunately, off-putting. Sweetness is okay in many beers but here it's somewhat conflicting. I can't go higher than 4.2.

A nightcap. Pitch black and opaque, not so surprisingly, I guess. Moderately carbonated, as evidence of which goes a limited bronze head of one finger. The foamy lid melts soon to a neat ring in the sides. Beautiful date in the scent. Definitely not timid. I like it! Bourbon, vanilla, toffee, raisin and cacao nibs join the monologue right thereafter. Gorgeous! Gives a strongly sweet promise. Can't wait to have the first sip! My goodness! This is sweet! Big time! I wasn't prepared for this but no can do. Gotta roll! Date, roasted caramel, maple syrup, vanilla, raisin, toffee, a proposal of cacao nibs... Bourbon is ample, sweet fruity and caramelly. Lovely!  🖤🖤🖤  This could easily be confused with a Barley Wine. I had to check the label for adjuncts but – to my big surprise – there are none. The label specifically says “pure barrel aged beers, no additions, no blending, just the beer and the barrel”. Such a tempting collection is not straightforward to be created with adjuncts, let alone with malts and barrel aging only! And the sweetness! How is it possible to get 11 % and super high residual sugars at the same time? What's their secret? I wanna know (and copy it...)! The body? Can it be anything else than full? Nope. It is full. Yes. The tail is a repetition of what I have already described as the main package. A bit of narrowing but basically the same sweet slam is there. The impression is full, sappy, sticky, chewy and gooey. Deep and rich. Even somewhat complex. Absolutely desserty and candy-like. Barrel aging is recognizable, as well. A very well crafted piece that gives a seductive impression of generous application of adjuncts when there are none. That's what I call a masterpiece! I'm in awe. 🖤🖤🖤

Hiukan erikoinen tapaus tämä Hollannin imppi, kun on jotenkin laihanlainen imperial stoutiksi. Värikään ei ole ihan pikimusta vaan enemmänkin syvän rubiininpunainen. Makukaan ei ole ihan niin paahtunut kuin odottaisi vaa hiukan makean maltainen. Vähän kuin olisi imperial stoutia ja barley winea sekaisin. Tuoksu on melko mieto, vaniljaa, mallasta ja hiukan kaakaota. Alkoholi käy myös hieman nenään. Maku on makea, vaniljainen ja hapokas. Katkeruutta tai paahteisuutta ei juuri löydy. Jälkimaussa tuntuu humalointi mutta melko lyhyen aikaa. Lopussa tulee esiin kahvinen, espressomainen maku ja alkoholin lämpö. Juotava, mutta ei mikään huipputuote.