Style: Stout (Barrel-aged)

ABV: 13.5

97/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	20
Mouthfeel:	4

Cruz Blanca Brewery 2021 Rey Gordo

What the brewers say

“Imperial stout aged in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels.”

What our panel thought

“Rich base balances toffee-like chocolate and stiff whiff of bourbon. Mega fruit nose: candied pineapple, white grapes play off cherry liqueur. In the sip, rich dark chocolate, whiskey, and warming vanillin finish. Not super sweet, not super boozy, but an elegant, delicate beer.”

What our editors thought

“A lightly smoky, almost tequila nose with some richer stout tones. The sip stays in the midtones, with dark-fruit notes, lighter body, and a touch of licorice in the linger.”

Review printed in: The Science of Stout (October-November 2022) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Cruz Blanca Brewery 2020 Rey Cuvée

“Nose is wine-like, spicy, earthy, with dark chocolate, bit of spirit, caramel, hints of apricot. The smooth, creamy sip is sweet chocolate with some umami, big toffee, lots of dark fruit, dark molasses.”

Cruz Blanca Brewery Cruz Light

“Great clarity. Aroma has a bit of brewer’s yeast and corn with a hint of peppery hops; cornbread-like. Grainy, moderate sweetness is light on the tongue; some would say ‘crisp.’ Fun flavors for a subtle style even if it leans a bit to the sweet side.”

Cruz Blanca Brewery Vidamiga

“A very inviting nose nicely balances sour bread and citrus, and the flavor is a perfect harmony of sweet and sour raw bread dough with a firm but restrained earthy citrus finish. Earthy lime notes with hints of ginger and mint in the aroma give way to a flavor profile that adds a hint of salinity and smokiness to the mojito-like lime and ginger notes. A touch of pine-like bitterness coupled with a bright acidity carries through into the finish.”

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