Firestone Walker 2018 ‘Sucaba’ BA Barleywine

Rating:

35246319_870390989811714_6052729120549240832_n“After taking a year off, Sucaba returns for a curtain call in 2018. As always, this latest vintage delivers big, boozy bourbon and American oak aromas combine with soft chocolate malt undertones. Complex malt flavors are framed in oak with hints of dark chocolate, vanilla, toasted coconut and a touch of dark cherry. Sucaba is a one-of-a-kind sipping experience.  It is a beer built to last, and one that will reward careful cellaring for years to come. We highly recommend counting the years with an abacus.”

Glassware: Tulip.

Appearance: Rather dark for a barleywine. It hits the glass with an extremely deep mahogany hue with a short tan head forming on top. It quickly snaps back to a ring with some spotty lace as we hook in.

Aroma: Decadent and seriously rich. It has traits of the Parabola with that sticky, sweet and caramelised base. Lots of dark fruits with fig, raisin and prunes, hints of bourbon barrel, coconut, vanilla, toffee and cigars in support. Not a whole lot of that hallmark residual sugar sweetness but in all honesty it actually works well enough without it! Superb aroma.

Flavour: Oh man. Smooth, elegant and simply delicious. Sweet dark fruits a plenty with a hint of the bourbon barrels following close behind. Just a suggestion of warming booze (12.5%) which is incredible considering its size. Amazingly it burns off and finishes with a sticky sweet number which offers bourbon oak and delicate toasted vanilla on the rear.

Mouthfeel: Sticky and gelatinous. Full-ish body with moderate co2.

Overall: This is the George Clooney of beers. It’s classy, elegant and silky smooth! Kudos Firestone that is an absolute corker!