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Cambridge Barrel-Aged Blunderbuss Barleywine

Cambridge Barrel-Aged Blunderbuss Barleywine
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overall
95
80
style
Serve in Snifter

bottling
unknown

on tap
available

Local Distribution

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RATINGS: 20   MEAN: 3.72/5.0   WEIGHTED AVG: 3.6   SEASONAL: Winter   EST. CALORIES: 330   ABV: 11%
COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION
The process of creating our barleywine begins in late summer by cramming our mash tun to overflowing with American and Scottish pale and German Munich malts. We then extract only the richest first runnings from the mash and boil extensively to further concentrate the sugars in the wort. During the boil a touch of honey is added to the kettle, along with Magnum, Centennial, Tomahawk, Cascades, and Fuggles hops to provide balance for the sweet malt. 100% of this special expression of Blunderbuss has since been aging gracefully in a quartet of Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels in the now infamous CBC Barrel Cellar. A second batch of Blunderbuss, all stainless steel fermented and aged, will be released later in the season. The result is well worth this painstaking ordeal. A creamy, pale tan head rests atop this beautiful amber liquid. Captured within the rim of a snifter, the first aromas to greet the nose are of alcohol’s fruity esters, then notes of rich caramel and sweet malt. As it warms, more distinguishable notes of burnt sugar and toffee, vanilla, and spicy hops are detectable. The flavor more than meets the prelude of aromas. Its rich, full body contains complex toasty malt notes, sweet caramel, tart flavors of berries and dried fruits and herbal hoppiness, followed by a warming alcohol sensation, and a lingering finish of spirit and oak. This ultimate after-dinner drink pairs well with many desserts, but is also certainly a dessert in and of itself. OG: 1.105 FG: 1.020


3.6
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 15/20
mathieuc (2369) - Québec, Quebec, CANADA - APR 30, 2015
On tap at the brewpub. Pours a clear brown with a thin white head that ends up like a rim and leave good lacing. Nose is of caramel, fruits and light alcohol. Taste is moderately sweet and of caramel, brown sugar with some light bourbon. Body is full, carbonation soft and it is a little sticky. Overall it was good, one of the better CBC we had that night.

3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
tom10101 (4102) - Quebec, CANADA - MAR 30, 2015
On tap @ Cambridge Brewing Co.

Appearance: A bit hazy dark amber-copper with a small persistent off-white head and little lacing.

Aroma: Quite malty with nice bourbon and vanilla features, dried fruits (figs, raisins), some hops and resin.

Taste: Sweet and oak with vanilla, quite malty, a bit toasty, alcohol, floral notes, resin and light bitterness.

Palate: Full body. Moderate carbonation. A bit oily mouthfeel. Warming finish. Toasty, biscuity and spicy finish.

Overall: Good barrel-aged Barley. Lack a bit of balance, but the barrel treatment, despite being quite present isn’t overwhelming. Interesting sipper.


3.8
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 16/20
Minderbinder (2693) - Québec, Quebec, CANADA - MAR 30, 2015
On tap on the premise. Pours mahogany with very low beige head. Minimal lacing. Aroma is of lots of whisky/liquor, smoke, peat, alcohol, booze. Taste is of lots of whisky, malt, sugar, some fruits, bitterness, oak, vanilla. Palate: Full bodied. Sticky on the lips. Soft carbonation. Overall: Very good. Nice booze.

3.3
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
czar (6023) - Québec, Quebec, CANADA - MAR 20, 2015
on tap on the premises. unclear dark mahogany with a small off-white cap, some retention and lacing. bourbon and rye whiskey- plenty, buckwheat honey and toffee sweetness, booze, red berries. light carbonation, full body, sweet and bourbony-spicy finish. barrel overload. o-k.

3.4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 7/10   PALATE 3/5   OVERALL 13/20
JulienHuxley (4460) - Trois-Rivières, Quebec, CANADA - MAR 20, 2015
On tap at the brewpub, 13%. Deep copper red pour with thin white head. Aroma is really rich toasty malt notes, English toffee, light pear, fruity, light hoppiness. Taste is sweet, boozy, lots of alcohol with a bitter finish, nice caramelized malt, light bourbon, vanilla. Palate is rich, full bodied. Nice sipper.

4
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 17/20
reberiii (445) - Pennsylvania, USA - NOV 23, 2013
Vanilla bourbon nose, poured into sample tulip. Smokey, cloudy brown; big, boozy, warming with a tart finish.

4.3
   AROMA 9/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 5/5   OVERALL 17/20
brew3crew (166) - Cincinnati, Ohio, USA - MAR 14, 2012
Maroon in color and magnificent in smell. Sweet caramel bozziness that drives me wild. Little bit of the burning but it melds well with the rest of the beer. A definite treat

4.1
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 5/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 16/20
mkgrenwel (602) - North Shore, Massachusetts, USA - JAN 21, 2012
2011 vintage. I think this is the right beer, but this year’s was aged in port and sherry barrels. Bright brown colormwith touches of ruby looks great in the snifter. Honey, sherry, cherry, grape jam and a bit of coconut. Alcohol is there, but only when you want it. Some oak and vanilla, but not particularly oaky. Sweet, but truly never cloying. Not finding hops or bitterness, but they’re there just enough to keep it balanced. Very low carbonation is just enough to keep it lively, but dialed back enough to make this the sipper it should be. Not a knockout but no flaws, plenty to enjoy, everything’s in perfect balance. Spot on.

4.3
   AROMA 8/10   APPEARANCE 4/5   TASTE 9/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 18/20
thornecb (4934) - Marblehead, Massachusetts, USA - MAR 2, 2011
Pours deep, hazy gold into a tulip. Bright white head with excellent retention recedes to coat surface. Orange resin, sweet out and bourbon aromas. Slick with upfront caramel and bourbon front to back. Lasting bourbon burn.

3.7
   AROMA 7/10   APPEARANCE 3/5   TASTE 8/10   PALATE 4/5   OVERALL 15/20
yespr (36291) - Copenhagen O, DENMARK - FEB 28, 2011
From tap at the brewpub. Pours hazy to almost murky orange with a small white head. Aroma is malty dense, light overripe fruity note and mild hoppy touch. Sweet, dense malty to caramelish. Light overripe fruity touch. Bitter and lingering sweet caramelish finish.


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