AleSmith Barrel Aged Speedway Stout

2003 bottle Much thanks to oteyj. The real standout of an all-star tasting night. Dark Obsidian pour with only a few bubbles of head. Aroma is intense sweet bourbon, wood, Robust chocolate and smooth vanilla ripple through as well. Mouthfeel is Thick and viscous with very little carbonation. Superbly Oak Aging here, A lot of bourbon and Wood notes in the Flavor but the Original Speedway Chocolate and Coffee explosion is still recognizable. The first sip is Sweet and woody, with high amount of vanilla and booze, this softens in the middle with a shot of expresso and some nice roast. The finish is boozy with notes of chocolate and mocha. Even after the swallow the warming chocolate lingers. Words Cannot do this beer justice.

2003 bottle, thanks to oteyj for trading for this one. Pours totally black with minimal head in the form of a few bubbles around the edge of the glass. Aroma is monstrous; tons of bourbon, wood, vanilla, coffee, chocolate, caramel and roasted malt. Flavor is somewhat reminiscent of a barrel aged barley wine, but obviously with tons of imperial stout notes as well. Taste is absolutely scary; excellent sweetness, with lots of caramel, notes of vanilla bean ice cream, and cocoa. The woodiness from the aroma is perfectly balanced with the palpable bourbon booziness. The palate is luxuriously rich, but insanely smooth; glides across the tongue effortlessly. Absolutely exquisite beer, one of my favorites ever.

Thank you so much to fordest for this vintage 2003 specimen- you’re the man Sean. Ink black pour- about as dark and forboding as a beer can be. No head to speak of- the barrel aging has got the best of the fizz. Aroma is ripe with bourbon, vanilla and dark roasted coffee. Fennel and caramel sneak through with an excellently creamy and roasty nose. Quite sweet and quite boozy. Flavor is simply profound. Like a river of succulent malt. Oaken character is quite noticeable but never overpowering. Vanilla comes through amazingly powerfully with espresso roast, cocoa nib, and the ever prevalent alcohol. Palate is thick rich and fulfilling. Carbonation is almost unnoticeable providing for a silky velvet like experience. Truly a masterpiece in liquid form- I’m speechless.

Bottle shared by iowaherkeye. 2006 vintage. Bottle 146 of 235. Thanks! Poured an opaque black color. The head was brown with an orange tint. Smelled of chocolate, vanilla, and distinct dog food that detracted somewhat. Full bodied and slightly sweet with a hint of bourbon. I also tasted vanilla, toffee, and some roasted malt.

750 ml bottle - 2006 vintage; bottle #102; thanks bitbucket!!!! pours thin, dark brown; molasses, vanilla, oak and quite sweet; got very little bourbon from it but I was under the impression that it is barrel aged, not bourbon barrel aged (?) anyway, very little coffee is left, but it remains quite sweet so perhaps that is the bourbon’s impact; lots of chocolate and though alcohol is obvious, the sweetness covers it well; slight letdown based on the hype, but still quick tasty; like the Wee Heavy though, I prefer the non-BA version more

Poured ink black with a thin tan head. Nose was big on bourbon with dry cocoa and oak. Taste is big and bold, coffee has faded a little, bourbon is still big and slightly hot, lots of raisin and chocolate. Much more than just a bourbon speedway, very impressed.

Bottle at BCTC 2009: Botte version 2006 #118. Black pour with a deep brown head. Nice aroma with notes of vanilla, oak, dark bitter chocolate, and espresso. Slick warming body- a bit hot. The flavor gives off notes of dark chocolate, bourbon, toasted oak, and burnt plum. There’s some bitter tannic notes into the finish. Not as good as the original Speedway, which I love.

Bottle shared by Dennis the Stone rep in the wee hours at BCTC late Saturday night when we had finished drinking for a while and were sitting around contemplating bed. Then this showed up and sleep was happily pushed back. Pours a deep dark black with a thin to medium tan head that falls off rather fast. Lightly boozy bourbon notes, huge coffee, and a touch of vanilla. Flavor is full of roast and coffee, along with some slightly oxidized plum tones. Finishes up with a nice roast fueled bitterness.