The importance of barrels

[Rahsaan]

Had a bunch of interesting drinks last night, some of which raised the importance of barrels.

To the festivities I brought a bottle of Allagash Curieux (bottled in 2008) which is a Tripel Ale aged for 8 weeks in used Jim Beam barrels. The crowd liked bourbon so I thought it might fit in. Even though it seemed to be the very definition of spoof applied to beer. Be that as it may, it was interesting and rich, yet balanced for my tastes. And showed that these creative gimmicks can produce delicious results. Sometimes.

Even more compelling was the Bruichladdich 1998 10 year Old Single Islay Malt Scotch Whisky. This had been aged in Manzanilla sherry casks, which earned it the title of the 'Anti-terroir' Scotch for some at the table. Nonetheless, it was pretty darn delicious. For me, the nose was the most sea-salty-spraying aspect of it, but the palate was nicely rounded, accessible and slightly 'Manzanilla-like' if you thought hard enough.

It doesn't all have to be local and authentic does it!

 

[Thor]

I didn't like an earlier vintage of that beer very much.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Thor:
Theres a very minor bit of actual ale flavor buried under a monotone din of raw and toasted wood, alcohol, and general dreariness...

I'd say that was pretty consistent with my take. Except for the general dreariness part. I might not want to drink the whole bottle and it certainly did seem like spoof to me. But I guess I'm more tolerant of Non-Beer Flavors in beer as opposed to Non-Wine Flavors in wine.

And in its defence, at least it wasn't sweet goopy and heavy, which made it at least drinkable inbetween the other more interesting offerings on the table.

 

[Jack Everitt]

Probably my favorite beer* and has been out-of-stock at Bottle Barn for months now. I mentioned it once to someone there, but that did not do the trick.

*I drink beer about twice-a-month...hardly a connissseurrr.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Jack Everitt:
Allagash Curieux!Probably my favorite beer* and has been out-of-stock at Bottle Barn for months now..

Favorite beer! Wow.

That said, you probably drink beer more often than I do. Depending on the season and where I am on the globe.