Core Brewing & Distilling Co Batch 01 - Barrel Aged Barleywine
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What the brewers say
American Barleywine aged for 12 months in Maker’s Mark and Four Roses barrels, then blended.
What our panel thought
Decadent, complex, and deep aroma with huge toffee, banana-nut bread, pipe tobacco, figs, raisins, chocolate, vanilla, leather, and dark cherry all vying for attention. All of the aromas beautifully transition into the flavor profile with an added coconut, German chocolate cake, and caramel complexity. Warming, velvety fullness without being filling or cloying in body and flavor, but the mouthfeel is not quite as viscous as some may want. Some alcoholic warmth is present, but it’s not overly harsh.
What our editors thought
Cinnamon, molasses, burnt sugar, and a deep saddle-leather note on the nose with just a touch of fennel. In the sip, a general burnt caramel malt note with a bit of oak tannin. The body itself is a bit loose with a sprawling chocolate and leather body that could use a bit more definition. But the sweet-savory balance is spot on.
