★ Review: Lawsons Finest Bourbon Barrel Aged Fayston Maple Imperial Stout (2012 Vintage)

   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 6/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 17/20

2012 Vintage. Acquired this today at the Lawson’s Market in Waitsfield. It was great to see Sean and team! Enjoyed in a small Duvel Tulip at room temperature. New format is 375ML for $15. Red wax top.A – Poured a thick and viscous midnight black. No head aside from a fine and thin later of coffee coloured bubbles around the edge of the glass. Amber hues but overall, midnight oily black. Not as viscous as a BCBS but quite heavy.

S – There’s a lot going on here but overall, the nose is weaker than I expected. There’s a lot of peat and charred oak. Lots of burnt wood, a very small hint of vanilla and molasses.

T – The start taste is very much a roasted toffee malts with hints of espresso beans and very dry baker’s chocolate.The middle is a very oaky sort of smokey peat taste. The finish is this boozy bomb of vanilla, oak, bourbon and heavy maple syrup sweetness like brown sugar.

M – Heavy body, very low carbonation but it’s this tongue covering thick oaky beer that sticks to every aspect and leaves a tingling sensation loaded with vanilla and coffee beans.

O – This was a great beer but I remember the 2011 being better. I’m no expert on stouts but there’s this balance that’s missing from the 2011…that vintage was less oaky and smoky. I have more of this so maybe it just needs some time.