Panzuriel (960), Westerville, Ohio, USA Nov 14, 2007 Updated: Nov 15, 2007 Pours a clear dark copper color with a very fine head. Nose is rather one dimensional sweet malt. Taste is malty and mellow but has a cloying sweetness that is really overpowering. the vanilla bourbon flavor tastes rather forced. Body is a bit thin and fizzy.
arventresca (170), Greenville, North Carolina, USA Aug 21, 2008 Bottle. Pours dark amber with white head. Aroma of actual vanilla with a hint of caramel. Taste is pretty bland for a winter ale, but considering it is A-B it is a winner. Probably never buy it again unless it is the best choice on tap, but thanks for a decent effort. BlackDonald (1039), North Carolina, USA Aug 9, 2008 Same as a the Michelob Vanilla Oak. Has that sweet cotton candy, sugar cookie. graham cracker maltiness. Tastes artificial, extracted and micro filtered wood chips. dwaggs2 (93), Warrensburg, Missouri, USA Jul 18, 2008 Horrible. Tasted like a cookie. This is not what a winter beer is suppose to taste like. Had no idea it was AB’s beer. I really wanted to get into this beer but couldn’t. This was like eating a vanilla wafer. jcdsmack (46), Henderson, Nevada, USA Jul 17, 2008 I think this beer is okay I only have had it from the bottle. I think the problem with it is it’s more vanilla than bourbon flavor for sure. It’s a little thin untill it warms and then it’s just too heavy on the vanilla. Not saying it’s bad but Iwould have liked it more if the could have balanced the bourbon vanilla and malt flavors a little more. Noticed some hints of chocolate on the finish. All in all not bad for what it is seasonal AB. Would never buy it in the bottle again but might try it on tap, mainly because I belivee its offered mostly at chain type restaurants like Fridays or whatever. MakeItDrinkIt (66), Portland, Oregon, USA Jul 14, 2008 Beautiful copper hue with a medium thin tan head. Aroma is thick with vanilla, and a touch of light-brown sugar. Flavor is immediately overpowering vanilla, and a bit medicinal. This pretty-much masks any supressed ’Bourbon Barrel Oak’ that might (or might not) have been in the batch. Never really get a chance to find anything but a big fake vanilla bean in this beer. Too bad - too much vanilla - can’t finish - bleh!
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