Captain Lawrence Smoke from the Oak (Bourbon Barrel)

Brewed by Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
Style: Porter
Pleasantville, New York USA

Bottle thanks to BMan1113VR. Nose: is all brett. some pie cherries and chocolate. Hazy black brown pour with big creamy mocha head. Great lacing. Taste is fruity, vanilla, chocolate, and raspberries. Different and refreshing.

Batch 1. Thanks to puzzl for this one. Pours a muddy, ugly brownish black with red higlights around the edges and fat brown bubbles that circle the glass. Aroma is highly vinous, fruity. Nutty, almonds, toasty. Bourbon. Cherries. As the beer warms and breathes a slight smoky character is unleashed as well, though it is subtle. At first I thought this had a somewhat strong brett component but it’s almost completely gone now. Maybe I was imagining it. An American oak component comes out as well, and though I didn’t notice it before it seems fairly strong now. This beer just keeps evolving and throwing new things at my nose.

The flavor is chocolatey, smooth - incredibly smooth. Silky on the mouth with a nuttiness and slight fruitiness. Long, vinous finish. Body is medium. Significantly more bourbon in the taste than in the aroma. All this works together very well. I think I prefer this to the wine version. Excellent and unique.

This was the last beer of the night opened by mcbackus. Thanks matt, you really went out of your way. I smelled some great bourbon notes, some good oak, and a bit of smoked. The flavor was very unique. Quite a blend of smoke, bourbon, roastiness and chocolate. Good stuff. Thanks Matt.

Bottle via trade, puzzl I’m guessing. Batch 1 bottle. Pours black with a big puffy tan/brown head. Nose is awesome, it has some vinous notes like the wine version. As well as a lot of nice bourbon and oak and sweetness. Damn awesome nose, with some reminiscent feelings of Angel’s shae as well. Taste is so damn interesting. This is a fantastic beer. Big vinious qualities, bourbon, oak, sweetness and a lot of character. This is a fantastic and damn interesting brew. Another winner from Captain Lawrence.

Bottle, sampled at RBSG 08. Pours a deep, dark brown with a tan ring. Very smoky aroma, of bourbon and malt. Taste combines sweeter bourbon and malt with lots of woody smokiness. Lingering smoky bourbon flavors. Very tasty smoked porter.

25.4 oz bottle, batch 1. Dark brown with a dense tan head. Nose is sour oak, cocoa and trace bourbon. Silky body with a vinous buzz. Tastes like a burgundy with coffee. Lingering notes of bourbon, plum and tobacco. Smooth and dry, slightly smoky finish. Elegant but missing a kick. Still very nice.

Bottle courtesy of hopdog. Thanks Steve! Batch 1. Near black pour with a bit of mahogany around the edges. Tall tan head fizzes up then relaxes leaving spotty lacing. Aroma is oak and bourbon with some tart fruit notes, and soft roasted malt. Taste is more tart fruit notes, some lactic flavors, sour milk, roasted malts, bourbon, oak, light vanilla, chocolate covered cherries and a touch of smokiness. Body is medium with a strong carbonation. Very bubbly on the palate. Lots of lingering tartness and acidic notes. Dry in spots as well. Finishes with more tart fruits, lactic notes, roasted malts, light cocoa, vanilla, bourbon and oak. Rather enjoyable.

750 ml bottle thanks to John a few months ago. Batch no.1. Pours out a beautiful picture; a huge creamy beige head sits atop a pure black colored body. Nice! The aroma is full of bourbon notes, some sour and lightly roasted aspects too. Well, the flavor was also surprisingly full of a slightly sour taste which sort of mixed with the bourbon barrel flavor in a nice way. Not too much of a roasted malt presence, and only a slight sour cherry. Quite smooth, and fairly thin mouthfeel. Very interesting and enjoyable; more like a sour whiskey with some slight porter flavors thrown in.