Like It

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Signature Collection Cigar and Bordeaux Barrel Aged Scotch Silly Ale

The Ale

Bordeaux Barrel Aged Scotch Silly Ale
Brasserie De Silly
Silly, Belgium


Scotch Silly Ale aged in Bordeaux Barrel.
9% abv
750ml bottle
$13.00 from Ashley’s of Westland, Michigan
I could not find any information on the Global Beer website.

I was pretty excited about the Port Barrel Ale and I have to admit that I was a little disappointed.  I don’t know what to expect now with this one.  If you ever visit my wine blog you know I love my wines so, once again my expectation is high but, I am ready for the letdown.  So, I am skeptical going into this now.   

Appearance: murky brown body with a one finger tan head that leaves no lacing on the glass; the barrel aging added some darkness to the body

Aroma: some black fruit like black currant, mulberry, black raspberry; firm malty note; not as sweet as the Port Aged Scotch Silly.


Flavors: one sip, two sip; not bad; third sip – I am liking this one; oh yes, the Bordeaux Barrel aging is coming thru; the black fruit of the Bordeaux is blending well with the Ale; the nose and the flavor are working together like a fine wine should; black currant and black plum mingle so well with the ales toasted caramel malts; hint of toffee; light coffee; slight hint of oak

Mouthfeel: dry feel like a fine Bordeaux; low carbonation; medium-full body; very nice ale notes mix so well with the wine barrel notes; moderate bitterness really controls the sweetness of the Scotch Silly Ale. 

To the Point: I really like how the Bordeaux Barrel Aging stood out and added a lot of character to this ale.  The nose was very pleasing and match the flavors.  If you like good red wines and you like a good ale this should do the trick.  I will plan to buy more of this ale.


The Cigar

Signature Collection Vintage 2004 Sun Grown
Wrapper: 8 year old Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Fillers: Nicaraguan  
Robusto 5.7 x 50
Yes, it looks like a Toro


Flavor Profile of the Cigar: this cigar has a very nice woody style; firm cedar spice, oak and alder wood come to mind; a nice dose of musty white pepper mixes in with some dry fall leafs and a mild nutty note that can remind you of almonds;

The Pairing: these two pair well with one another; the woody profile of the cigar mingles with the ales barrel aging; the black currant and black plum, of the ale, seem to standout during this pairing; the toasted caramel malts from the ale fit in just perfectly with the toasted fall leafs of the cigar; the oak barrel note of the ale was just a hint and I really had to be thinking about it when I had the ale by itself but, here with the cigar the oak note of the ale is getting a little more attention – so the cigar helps to bring out the oak wood in the ale;


With cigar and beer pairings sometimes if you drink the ale first and then puff the cigar has a different effect than when you puff the cigar and then the ale.  Sometimes there is a big difference and other times it just does not matter.  Well, here there is a slight difference if you take the time to notice.  When I drink the ale first and then puff the cigar - the black fruit note seems to have a black cherry note during this experience.  When I puff the cigar first and then sip the ale the focus is on the woody profile. 


The longer I sit here and enjoy this experience the more I LOVE it.  It brings three of my favorites together: Cigars, Wine and Ale.  

No comments:

Post a Comment