Name: Tumeaine Laphroaig BA (Silver Series 2021)
Brewer: Pühaste Brewery (Estonia)
Style: Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (Base Style: Imperial Stout)
ABV: 13%
Review Year: 2022
A standout of the 2021 Silver Series, Tumeaine Laphroaig BA is an exceptionally potent Imperial Stout, carefully aged in Laphroaig whisky barrels. Hailing from Pühaste Brewery in Estonia, this dark ale unveils a captivating smoky allure associated with Laphroaig expressions.
Backlog review from January 2022.
STYLE GUIDELINES
This beer is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (33B) with the Imperial Stout (20C) as the base style, in the context of the 2021 Beer Style Guidelines of the Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP). The most current version can be found on the BJCP website.
TASTING NOTES
Aroma
Tumeaine Laphroaig BA boasts a deeply phenolic (e.g., medicinal, bandage-like) and dark roast aroma (e.g., charred oak, dark chocolate). Dried fruit impressions, resembling grapes, mingle with subtle hints of oak and wood.
Appearance
This beer pours a mesmerizing deep brown hue, bordering on black. It forms either a thin espresso-like brown head, creating an intriguing visual presentation.
Flavor
Robust malty dark chocolate and smoky characteristics take the lead, accompanied by earthy, nutty, and mossy undertones. The medicinal quality intertwines with medium-dark roast coffee and a deep oakiness, creating a complex tapestry of flavors. The beer showcases a high level of bitterness balanced by a medium residual sweetness. As you savor each sip, the aftertaste lingers, leaving impressions of malty cacao nibs, oak, and a touch of vegetal and phenolic character.
Mouthfeel
Medium-full to full body; moderate carbonation.
THE VERDICT
Tumeaine Laphroaig BA represents the epitome of an Imperial Stout aged in Islay whisky barrels. The beer achieves a commendable balance between the pronounced smokiness and the rich, roasted malt character, which highlights the brewer’s exceptional skill. Despite its robust 13% ABV, it surprises with its approachable drinkability, allowing the captivating aromas and flavors to make a lasting impression. Notably, the beer deftly avoids any sense of overwhelming heaviness or excessive sweetness, with the bitterness thoughtfully integrated to enhance the overall profile.
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