Brash Biggie Smalls

Brash Biggie Smalls is an American Brown Ale that is 50% rum barrel aged 50% whiskey barrel aged. As best as I can tell the Brown Ale base is pretty solid, but the barrel aging is really the star of the show here. This smells boozy and hot, it really comes out in the taste too. (Sometimes that really bothers me, but in this case I am just letting myself soak into it) I’m getting distinct elements from both barrels in this blend. There is big sweetness coming from the rum that is being balanced by some intense whiskey heat/flavor. A nice touch of vanilla, probably coming from both barrels, goes very well with the muted nutty malts in the Brown Ale base. (The crazy number of typos in my original notes also indicates that the 11% ABV is doing the job!) Totally surprised by this one, I am going to pick up more of this the next time I’m at the store!