UTOPIAS!

Samuel Adams Utopias 2011

Quoted directly from Samuel Adams website:

"Sweet fire, with a rich malt and wood complexity.

Truly the epitome of brewing's two thousand year evolution, Samuel Adams Utopias® offers a flavor not just unlike any other beer but unlike any other beverage in the world. The 2009 release is a blend of batches, some having been aged up to 16 years in the barrel room of our Boston Brewery, in a variety of woods. We aged a portion of the beer in hand-selected, single-use bourbon casks from the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery. The latest batch also spent time in Portuguese muscatel finishing casks, as well as sherry, brandy and Cognac casks. This flavorful, slightly fruity brew has a sweet, malty flavor that is reminiscent of a deep, rich vintage port, fine cognac or aged sherry."

Most folks have never seen a bottle of Utopias let alone heard of it.  However, the tasters are knowledgable and have connections.  The bottled aquired by us was only the second to make it into our area.  It traveled 3100+ miles to get here. 

For this special tasting, we had to go off to an undisclosed location.  A few guest tasters new of the location and the password.  Since the tasting is over we can now let you know that the password was "Poodle".

The aroma of the utopias is definitely reminiscent of a fine sherry.  Almost a burnt smell to it, perhaps coming from the barrels it was aged in.  Color is a deep amber.  Taste is a sweet malty flavor.  Felt like we should have been on the veranda after a fine meal smoking a Tatuaje Verocu cigar and sipping this fine blend.

It is not for everyone.  Some people would rather smoke a swisher and guzzle jagermeister.  But what does it matter what we say?  Odds are you will never have the chance to taste this but, if you do, take it!  (Only 53 barrels were used in 2011). 

ABV: 27%

BOTTLE:  Kettle shaped ceramic hand crafted in Brazil

PRICE: $249.00+

RATING:  Complex

Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey

Like a little black rain cloud,  the tasters were in search of something sweet.  Luckily our little friend brought us by a bottle of Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey!*

"Here ya go Mister Tasters!  Hope ya like it!"

Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey is a honey liqueur blended with whiskey.  Now liqueurs are generally known as after dinner drinks that are sipped in small glasses.  The tasters decided it was an afternoon drink served in pints... (with ice). 

The aroma is sweet with a hint of spice.  The bottled reads "Enjoy Chilled" and that is how we tried it.  Sweet with no after taste burn that most whiskeys have.  Definitely honey taste without the heavy stickiness.  Smooth. 

We had several guest tasters and ideas of how to use this liqueur came from all directions.  A majority of the ideas had to do with incorporating the liqueur into desserts.  We suggest a bread pudding with a whiskey sauce.  (Bread pudding should use golden raisins).

ABV: 35%

RATING: 4.0

*No children or bees were harmed in this tasting.