De Molen is a Dutch brewer who really pushes the envelope (at least in NL) in terms brewing big, aggressive IPAs and stouts. One particular offering that I enjoyed somewhat frequently during my stay in the Netherlands was the Hel & Verdoemenis Imperial Stout. It is a great beer with lots of roasty malts and little compromise.
During my last few days abroad I stumbled across a couple bottles of the special barrel-aged versions of this already fantastic beer. In particular, the Wild Turkey version really caught my eye. So I ended up buying one bottle to consume immediately and one to cellar for a few years.
This little gem comes in an 18cl bottle (which is clear glass although you really can't tell when its full) with a bright red wax seal. Typical De Molen label with all the specs. This one weighs in at 10.2% ABV and was brewed in October 2010 and bottled in February 2011. This is bottle #063
Poured into a snifter this beer is pitch black with little to no head. What it does manage to conger-up is tan and fleeting. Smell is very big. Lots of roasty malts, coffee, vanilla, oak, leather, fresh tobacco and of course a large dollop of bourdon. Taste follows the same profile with the coffee edging towards espresso and a little licorice making an appearance. Damn this is pretty good already.
A few years on the other bottle should tone down some of the hot alcohol in the mouthfeel and finish. It will be hard to keep my hands off of bottle #004.
MMMMMMM.....good.
ZG
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