Lost Abbey The Angels Share (Bourbon Barrel)

Brewed by Port Brewing/Lost Abbey
Style: Barley Wine
San Marcos, California USA

2008 Release 12.7 oz bottle poured into a snifter - thanks to Jake65. I have really been looking forward to The Angels Share... and it really did not disappoint... the hype surrounding this beer is proven to be true... I just don’t know about the price tag. I really don’t think a 750ml bottle of Angels Share is worth $30... I would rather have $30 of other (better) beer than 1 bottle of Angels Share... but that’s just me. Having said that... this one is loaded with carbonation (as others have mentioned) and takes away from the beer for the first half of the glass.... huge 3 finger tan head which slowly came down a bit to 2 fingers - deep deep brown / light black in color. A true beauty... needless to say. Huge bourbon aromas seep out of the bottle and glass. At first the carbonation really takes hold of the upper palate... letting the bourbon notes fill the mouth, while creating a thinner body. As the beer warms and reaches the lower portion of the glass, the carbonation dissipates and The Angels Share becomes something much greater. The body is stronger and more alive with flavors of deep dark fruits, some oak, lots of vanilla and of course bourbon. A really strong finish completes this one with more bourbon and a slight alcohol burn. I am so glad I got to have a bottle of this and look forward to having the Brandy Barrel version one day.

’06 vintage at FoBAB. Dark brown to black with tan creamy head. Bourbon, chocolate, sweet aroma with little oxidation charecteristics. Flavor is well balanced bourbon to malt ratio with the oxidation finally coming out in the flavor like cherry but matches very well with the vanilla. Medium body with okay carbonation. Very barrel forward.

Bottle. 2008 edition. Thought I had rated this, but I guess I haven’t. Aroma of bourbon, caramel, vanilla, cocoa, oak. Flavor was really smooth, but did not measure up to some of my favorite barrel aged BW’s; like Old Salty. Still it was good. Roasted malt, molasses, caramel, vanilla and cocoa predominate; not much fruitiness, which could have helped for my tastebuds. Good, but due to price probably the last time I’ll have this.

thanks mar... pours black with thick fizzy head. Aroma of caramel, vanilla, oak, bourbon?, doghouse funk, sweet malts. Flavor is coffee, bourbon, caramel, burnt malts and vanilla.... drinks smooth, with some burn. Delightful.

Just sampled today on the release date. Aroma of plums and faint alcohol tones. Appearance of thick black ink. The liquid hangs on the glass when swirled. Thick tan head that dissipates. Flavor is incredibly complex - toffee, alcohol, chocolate, licorice, spice, dark cherry, like a multi-layered port. Palate is coated with a syrupy liquid. Entirely mouth coating and lingering on the tongue. Bravo! I only wish that the brewery would sell this delicacy for less than $30 for a 750.

Vintage 2008 Ap: Midnight brown with an inch of sudsy head. Aroma: Vanilla, bourbon, cookies and graham crackers. Taste: Cocoa powder, vanilla, bourbon, hops and oak. Mouthfeel: Sliky. Overall: ****1/2 out of *****

Bottle. [thank you, after4ever]
[vintage 2008]
Pours dark brown with a big, frothy, brownish head. Fizzes away rather quickly. Impressive aroma. Lots of dark chocolate, fresh ground coffee mixed with a heavy load of prunes, raisins, toffee, burnt caramel, vanilla, oak and bourbon. Lowish carbonation, fat and oily mouthfeel. Flavour is equally many-facetted, but somehow seems a bit more composed than the aroma. High sweetness with prunes, plums and raisins as its base. Then dryish oak and more sweet spices - vanilla, coriander. There is no hint of the alcohol anywhere except in the far finish, when it warms nicely. Here, the chocolate creeps up again. There is some bitterness in there as well, but this is mostly a sweet BW. Still, it is truly magnificient.

Great thanks to Jwale73 for sharing is absurdly great beer! Pours black with a minimal head. Nose is absurd, maybe the best I’ve ever O smelled it for about 10 minutes. Vanilla, caramel, toffee, oak, bourbon, and dark fruits. Taste is excellent as well, incredibly rich and complex, with maple, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, and raisins dancing in a thick, rich goodness. Finish has some alcohol, but nicley balanced by a little sweet and a little bitter. Just a wonderful beer.