Big Rock Brewery Rum Barrel Aged Barley Wine Barley Wine at 10.8% ABV | 24 IBU (C$5.09 at Willow Park Wine & Spirits, 330 ml, best before 27-Oct-2017, acquired 8-Nov-2016, reviewed 14-Nov-2016)
Appearance: clear deep amber with one finger of loose beige head retaining poorly with patchy lacing. (3/5) Aroma: rum, brown sugar, boozy vanilla extract, dark fruit, bready malt. (7/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter, moderate alcohol. (7/10) Medium-full slightly slick body, lively carbonation dropping off to soft, warming sweet and sticky finish. (4/5)
Definitely warm in the finish, but surprisingly mild given the ABV. I was expecting something hotter, but this is well-balanced and even-handed, with strong but not overwhelming sweetness tempered by strong but not overwhelming alcohol heat. Gotta give credit where it’s due here: I’m not a huge fan of rum or barley wine, but this is pretty decent stuff. (14/20)
7/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
