
Barrel Aged Drakonic by Drake’s brewing is an 11.2% ABV Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Whiskey Barrels.
Label:…
Bottled on 12/18/2015
We love the magic that happens with Drakonic after spending a year in freshly emptied whiskey barrels. Oak aging rounds out the beer as it develops complex flavors of dark chocolate, burnt caramel, vanilla bean, and bourbon spice – a luscious combination. This beer is ready to drink today, but if you hang on to it for a couple years, the flavors will continue to evolve and develop over time
==Introduction==
It has been years since I last tried the original Drake’s Drakonic. When I first heard that they made a barrel aged version, I definitely had to bring it to the site. While my love for barrel aged brews, especially stouts always keeps me with an open mind to try them, I know for a fact this has to be awesome, or at least I believe so since the original was pretty damn awesome from what I can remember. Nevertheless, I think in general, many of the bourbon or any spirit aged beers haven’t gone wrong with me. Regardless, of what aspect they lean to like more oaky or boozy, there is something special with each. Let’s have a look at this beer, cheers!
Aromas:
Dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, cocoa powder, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Danish cream, Irish cream, brownie batter, marshmallows, vanilla beans, oak, bourbon, whiskey, dulce de leche caramel, roasted barley notes, mocha and pecan pie.
Flavors:
Dark Chocolate, milk chocolate, chocolate milk shake, cocoa powder, bakers chocolate, German chocolate, Belgian chocolate, vanilla beans, oak, bourbon, whiskey, dulce de leche caramel, roasted barley notes, mocha, coffee, Kahlua coffee liqueur, molasses, leather, tobacco, rocky road ice cream, toasted coconut, almond joy, hazelnut nectar, licorice, anise, smokey notes, pecan pie, dark fruit raisins, currants, dark cherries, fudge chocolate, Danish cream, Irish cream, brownie batter, chocolate mousse, crème brulee, sweetened condensed milk, flan, fruit cake, Cadbury cream eggs, oatmeal cookies, cookies and cream, marshmallow smores and malted milk balls.
Aftertaste:
Finishing with rich roasted barley notes, smokey notes, mocha notes, vanilla, caramel, whiskey, oak, rocky road ice cream, Irish cream, marshmallow smores, bourbon and dark fruits. No alcohol in the taste despite the ABV. Pitch black full body, smooth, creamy, chewy and velvety mouthfeel, as well as a sipping drinkability.
Overall:
An exceptional brew with rich oak, bourbon and roasty flavors. It the original brew shines but is actually amplified into the sweet complexity that I enjoy from many of the barrel aged awesome brews I have had before. This one is very balanced as well being not super sweet and not super oak or roasty. Stuff like this makes me want to go back to try the Drake’s brews again. This one I highly recommend if you can find it.
Anime Corner:
Aranea Highwind from Final Fantasy XV was chosen in this pairing as I wanted to go with the name of the beer in relation to Dragoons and Dragons and since Aranea’s colors fits the colors of the label, she was a perfect fit for this review. She is a bad ass character in the series which unfortunately only gets a short play time but from I could see, she was perfect for this pairing.
Sources:
https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=61106079
https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=60550036
http://zi-ex.deviantart.com/art/Final-Fantasy-XV-Aranea-Highwind-Colored-653222250
http://victortienyu.deviantart.com/art/Aranea-Highwind-658838986