Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Beer Review: Four Roses Bourbon Barrel Aged Mexican Cake (2014 Vintage, Fresh)

Reviewing the Four Roses Bourbon Barrel Aged Mexican Cake from Westbrook Brewing Company out of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

Score: 93

September 2014 vintage bottle (pink/red label) served in a stemmed Mikkeller & Friends glass and enjoyed on 10/15/14. Thank you Paul for sharing this treat!

Appearance: Ink black color with a thin layer of khaki head that settles to a ring around the glass. Poor lacing (even less residual head than the tequila version), okay retention of what little lacing there is. Nice oily legs. 4/5

Smell: Oak, campfire roasted vanilla, caramel, and pepper. No chocolate in the nose for this variant. A dash of cinnamon too, but it was more prominent in the tequila variant in my opinion. 4.5/5

Taste: Milk chocolate and sweet bourbon flavors, with a little alcohol bite on the finish. Virtually no pepper flavor/heat here, unless I am mistaking the alcohol heat for spiciness. There's a crisp accent upfront, but it quickly dissipates. As it warms up and layers, a kiss of tropical fruity pepper character comes through on the finish (but maybe I am just seeking it out?) along with a bit of spiciness -- though less than the tequila version. Nicely complex mix of flavor. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, a bit more carbonation than tequila, but still appropriate for the style (low, but not under-carbonated). Dry on the finish. Drier and a touch sweeter than the tequila version, but still very balanced. 4/5

Overall: Delicious, but not a cannot miss beer in the vein of Jack Daniels Barrel Aged Mexican Cake, which had more depth and punch to it, and was better integrated to boot.

Cost: $30 for a 22 oz (bomber) bottle (2 per person limit).

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