Lost Abbey The Angels Share (Bourbon Barrel)

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

I was kindof skeptical going into this because it seems like everything that is uber-hyped, I tend to hate. Not this one. This is one of the smoothest, most complex barley wines...no wait, this is THE smoothest and most complex barley wine I’ve ever tasted. Palate is amazing for something this strong. Big thanks to wj94 for this one!

Black beer, very persistent beige head. Bourbon jumping out of the glass; alcohol, dark malts, brandy and grapes. Very Bourbonflavoured as well, some roasted malts, dark fruit, dark wild mushrooms, fusel alcohols. Not really sweet, but sweet enough. Extremely sticky and viscous, oily, totally full-bodied, notwithstanding that it remains very pleasing. Superb difference, same difference.

sweet jesus, finally! lovingly shared by bockyhorsey and sparky27 at the PHX tasting. after a struggle with the cork and devastating near-overflow (crisis avoided, though)... this pours very dark reddish brown, nearly black. perched on top is a big light tan head that eventually fades to a film of funny colored foam leaving behind a nice trail of lacing. the aroma is akin to a red wine.... notes of prunes, black raisins, belgian chocolate and wood. the bourbon smell is present and sweet but not overwhelming. (notes get sparse at this point!) as far as the flavor... well, it is more refined and smarter than i. it’s a complex mix of oak, vanilla, dark fruit, a little molasses, chocolate again, wood and a peppery dry woody finish. everything is in perfect balance. the bourbon does nothing to get in the way but rather plays a secondary role to help coalesce an amazing experience. insanely drinkable if it weren’t for the price tag...

North Raleigh Tasting! Opened like a Champaign bottle, cork hit the ceiling, leaving a slight scuff. Dark Brown pour with fluffy head a wonderful lace. Bourbon and oak on the nose. Maple syrup, bouubon, oak and caramel malts. Another excellent effort!

First RB rating after 300 on BA (as Stoneman78)! The cork and cage flew off this one, gushing brewing gold all over the floor, yikes. Dense brown hue with huge billowing head that eventually dies down to a thin layer. Smell dominated by oak, vanilla, caramel, sweet malts, and light bourbon. Delicious and rich initial taste profile of molasses, oak, caramel malts, and maple syrup opens up quickly to a whiskey alcohol burn and vanilla. Finishes syrupy sweet and drying. Thick chewy texture and prickly carbonation. Absolutely a top-tier beer with improved balance and drinkability compared to the original AS; however, it lacks some of the punch and range of the brandy AS which I would rate slightly higher on flavor and aroma.

Good lord, the Virginia Tidewater people get their hands on some good shit. This is my fourth consecutive amazing beer from Immy and The_Beer_God, this one courtesy of Immy. You rock, Tim! Strawberry brown color with good head retention. Aroma is strong (but not overly) oak, caramel and other toasty, malty notes. I’ve long said the ultimate meal is beer and waffles. Well, this is a beer that tastes like waffles! Strong maple taste (grade B), caramel, chocolate and nuttiness. Effervescence good. Thick and a little chewy. A little overly sweet, but still a damn fine beer.

Rating based on a collection of notes from multiple samples. This is the way that barrel-aging should be done. The original Angel’s Share (brandy) came off as overly boozy and much more of a liquor than as a beer. Bourbon Barrel Angel’s Share is so much more balanced, smooth and creamy without the intensity that the standard release has. The beer in itself is a bit on the sweet side, but with a beautiful presentation of molasses, vanilla, and oak over a beautiful malty backbone.

Thanks to Michael for the bottle! You’re going to want to chill this more than I did before opening.. explosive cork and a bit of a mess on the table, but all was well. Poured deep, seductive brown with a well-retained cap of oaky-tan head. The aroma picked up a fresh burst of oak and vanilla with dark, sweet bourbon sugars not far behind.. deeper yet, rich aged caramel and molasses join in.. right at the very back the alcohol prickles the nose hairs.. I loved the way this was layered in its presentation.

Caramel and molasses roll over the tongue, trailed closely by a vibrant hit of whiskey.. the middle was a tad messy with the whiskey still trying to steal the show, repressing the vanilla, caramel, and molasses.. oak plays a huge role in drying out the edges and the back.. a bunch of whiskey and molasses on the long, memorable finish. Heavier-bodied, but somewhat slick on the palate with a dry finish.. the balance could have been better at times when the whiskey took off. Overall a mighty fine brew!