Beer Review: Smoking Wood (Rye Whiskey Version)

Reviewing the Smoking Wood (Rye Whiskey Version) from The Bruery out of California. This beer is an imperial smoked porter brewed with rye malt, beachwood and cherrywood smoked malt, and then aged in rye whiskey barrels.
Score: 92

2012 vintage served in a Duck-Rabbit snifter and enjoyed 07/01/12. Review is from iPhone notes.

Appearance: Black coffee color. Pours a finger of creamy milk chocolate head that settles to a thin layer atop the glass. Good lacing, excellent retention. 4/5

Smell: Milk chocolate, rye and a huge amount of wood. Ample smoke too. A little bacon, subtle whiskey caramel malt. Hint of molasses. 4.25/5

Taste: Smoked and slightly salty bacon. Lots of oak flavor. A little chocolate on the midpalate. Increasing "spiciness" and a soft rye kick towards finish as the beer warms. Mild caramel flavor in the background too. ABV absolutely hidden. 4.25/5

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus bodied, made to feel lighter from smokiness. Creamy mouthfeel. Smooth and smoky finish. Subtly bitter. 4/5

Overall:Smoke beers are quite polarizing -- you either love them, or you hate them. I am personally a fan of smokey beers. For a smoke beer, however, I found the smoke quality of this brew to be more subtle than most, but still quite pronounced.

Recommendation: Smoke beer fans are encouraged to seek this one out; it is better than the bourbon version.

Pairings: Bacon and eggs.

Cost: $20 for a 750 ml bottle.