What Our Panel Thought
Aroma: “Caramel, vanilla, licorice, boozy warmth, and toffee. Inviting aromas of black cherry and oak, oak, oak.”
Flavor: “Caramel and toffee sweetness. Nice undertone of hops bitterness, nice wood character. Very fruity—dates, raisin, cherry. Oaky finish. This verges on a quad but is sweeter.”
Overall: “A boozy, oaky sipper with a ton of oak-derived complexity. It’s quite drinkable (almost too drinkable) despite the alcoholic warmth. A good fall/winter sipper.”
What the Brewers Say
“This year’s anniversary beer is a blend of five components. Chocolaty, mild Velvet Merkin takes the lead setting the stage full of lush malt and barrel-driven texture, yet tempered alcohol strength. The rest of the components back up Velvet Merkin with caramel complexity and a creamy malt symphony. The final component is the rum barrel–soaked Helldorado, bringing a fresh splash of island spice to a balanced barrel-aged brew.”
