Bourbon Barrel Vanilla Bean Buffalo Sweat with Cinnamon

Specialty Wood-Aged Beer | Special Release | United States

By Michael Heniff

Judges Rating: 90
Aroma: 20
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 36
Mouthfeel: 10
Overall Impression: 18

This beer pours an opaque black with an aroma of complex chocolate, roasted, and toasted malt character with a complementing cinnamon, vanilla, and a very coconut-like bourbon. The flavor uniquely melds the roasted and chocolate malt with the vanilla and bourbon for a complex flavor with a subtle contrast of spicy cinnamon. The vanilla is subtle but provides a unique complexity to the dark malts. The cinnamon character is extremely well done; it provides a light contrast without being overly astringent as cinnamon typically is when found in many craft or homebrewed beers. The bourbon character, however, is overly simple – very nondescript with a coconut character that lacks any depth or warmth. Regardless, the overall impression of this beer is one of great depth and complexity with a flavor profile that changes with every sip as it warms.