Lost Abbey The Angels Share (Bourbon Barrel)

2008 version, 375 mL-corked & caged, sampled 30 June 2009: the bottle released a small pop as I pulled the cork and the beer immediately began carbonating and within 20 seconds the bubbles were coming out the top of the bottle...my angels share poured a fairly opaque, rusty mahogany with a generous dark tan cream that eventually diminished into a thin, but persistent (lasting a full 2 hours while I enjoyed every drop). Deep vanilla bean and raisin aroma-it actually smells chewy. The bourbon is subtle in the aroma-there is more fruity sweetness than whiskey sweetness: pears, over ripe apples, mashed sweet cherries and plums. Mouth feel is super creamy and soft...the carbonation adds to the creaminess instead of making it fizzy. Flavours match the aroma in depth, but the sweetness is subdued-the raisins are more malty and bready than sweet and the over ripe apples a tart bite and the plums have morphed into prunes: rich and almost chocolaty. Lingering stickiness on the tongue and lips smacks with wisps of whiskey bitterness and oak. More balanced than any bourbon barrel aged beer I can remember...amazing that the alcohol is hidden too-I believe this is what everyone strives for when the put beer in bourbon barrels: sweetness to enhance the aroma and depth of flavour to enhance the taste-without being cloying or tasting like a nip of whiskey. Very well done.

Pours dark brown with a decent sized head, particularly for a barleywine. Aroma is phenomenal; bourbon, vanilla, maple, caramel, vinous qualities, dark fruit, and malt. Flavor is also excellent; soft and mellow, but immensely flavorful- caramelized sugars, molasses, chocolate, and beautiful alcohol burn. Epic barleywine with a palate that combines alcohol with ridiculous smoothness. Awesome.

Dark walnut pour with a slight fizzy head. Aromas of bourbon, wood, vanilla, booze, some vinous notes, maple, dark caramelized sugars. The first mouthful is fantastic vanilla oak chocolate tones nice mellowed booziness, some vinous characteristics. excellent, incredible, the best barley wine Ive ever had

Dark brown, almost black pour with small head that dissipates rapidly. Moderate legs. Aroma is loaded with maple, bourbon, vanilla, and raisin malt. Some boozynes evident, complimented nicely by some port-like vinous notes. Bourbon impartment is very evident. Caramel is powerful as it warms. Flavor is alcohol up front with extreme amounts of caramel, dark fruit, toffee, caramelized brown sugar and some milk chocolate. Palate is heavy and syrup like, finishing with a warming, welcomed alcoholic burn. Leaves a sticky, smacking finish. Extremely well balanced and quaffable, mellow and nearly perfect. This is the best of the style I’ve sampled so far.

Well, well, well. The BA folks were right. No carbonation! But doesn’t really matter. Pours a deep brown. Lots of bourbon and vanilla in the nose. Sweet. Lots of plumb. Molasses/maple lingers. Very intense beer. 375 ml from Sinners Club.

Dark brown with a nearly non-existent head. Aroma of caramel, dried fruits and bourbon. Alcohol and bourbon dominates a malty sweet flavour with a touch of oak.

2009 release. Pours a deep opaque brown with a very small head at first that quickly recedes to a light lacing, and this was with me trying to coax some carbonation out of the pour. Aroma is just glorious: Brown sugar, molasses, honey, maple, and yeah, bourbon. Ooh, this is a lot smoother than the brandy-aged, I can say right off the bat. Again molasses, but now there’s chocolate, spoiled dark fruit with gives it a slight sourness, there’s a lot going on here. Very complex. Bourbon is huge throughout the flavor and finish, but not too cumbersome really. Mouthfeel is a little watery, aftertaste is pure whiskey, like I just took a shot of 80-proof. Alcohol is clear and present from start to finish, and actually makes this seem more around 15% as it shamelessly puts itself at or near the forefront of every facet. I didn’t think that this would be that different from the Brandy Barrel, but it really is. A lot smoother, more mature, and less agressive. A real pleasure. Overall, world class.

Bottle shared at a BeerAdvocate event. Pours an opaque dark brown with a small tan head. Aroma of bourbon, caramel, and dark fruits. Flavor is loads of bourbon, sweet caramel malt, figs/dark fruits, and wood. Lots of alcohol on the finish and a medium-full palate. Good stuff but maybe a little heavy on the bourbon.