Atrium Brewing Denny-Lou Blend 1
What the brewers say
“Blended barrel-aged imperial stout. Bourbon barrel, rye barrel, and grape brandy barrels.”
What our panel thought
“With so many barrels to choose from, which to notice? The rye jumps up first, thrusting a spicy alcoholic warmth in the nose. The vanilla notes of the bourbon slide in along the edges, smoothly blending with the spiciness and a soft leathery chocolate flavor. The brandy barrel maybe comes out in the flavor, but honestly, they swirl together in a warming mélange that fits nicely with the sweet roast of the imperial stout. The alcohol cuts through the sweetness, making this an awesome winter warmer. And the complexity grows as it warms and invites the next drink.”
What our editors thought
“Richly classic bourbon-barrel stout aroma with layers of charred oak, pecan, light stone-fruit ester, milk chocolate, and a touch of vanilla. Lighter in body than contemporaries, but the midtone nut-caramel thrust with gorgeous bourbon notes and a bit of dark fruit delivers satisfying flavor, and the vinous edge to the ethanol heat in the finish puts a bow on the decadence.”
