Just popping the gold foiled cap of this hazy chestnut mare colored/minimal headed bourbon barrel aged old ale release a rather complex aroma of figs, caramel, vanilla, tobacco and, naturally, a whole lot of wood mellowed bourbon. As it sits to breathe in the glass four feet away from me it's all I can smell in the room. WOW! I'm thinking "Wow! This is really something else" and haven't even tasted it yet.
First sip IS a total WOW! too. Very silky and thick in texture. The woodsy bourbon flavor comes right on front and center but is not over powering as it curves through many different things though it's flavor profile. Vanilla, black molasses and a hint of maple syrup take the first turn. Then there's another swerve through some very rich chocolate, dark fruits, a little bit of pepper and anise and then finally returning to the bourbon flavors that started the trip but not before it throws a little bit of a Port wine thing into the mix.
With all that though the finish is one of the most interesting things about it. Having a pretty top end alcohol content, after all, we're looking at a 13.5% abv here, is that there isn't much of a hotness to it as one would expect until each sip has cleared the taste buds and bring out a warming effect through the entire body. Let me say it again one more time-"WOW!"
I'm five sips into this and each one has me smiling more and more. Good thing I don't have much to do the rest of the evening as I think this is one great beer that you just can't down in a glass in a short period. It is definitely one that's worth taking one's own sweet time with.
http://www.kbrewery.com/
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