Today's sampling is Nococo French Brandy Barrel Aged Imperial Porter by Avant-Garde Artisans Brasseurs out of Montreal. From the label: Nococo is our Nocturne coco Imperial Porter without the coconut, aged several months in oak barrels having previously contained a particular type of French Brandy you are all familiar with but whose geographical denomination, being subject to strict regulations, we are not at liberty to divulge. The Brandy in question is distilled from fermented grapes in a specific region of France, the name of which starts with C and rhymes with Paspébiac (great place by the way, Pasébiac). 8.2% ABV
Appearance: Pours a deep, dark, black body with a hint of cola brown hue at the bottom of the glass, while the head is decently thick with a bit of a brownish burnt caramel hue to it. The head diminishes a tad after settling in the glass but still has a good amount of retention.
Aroma: Quite a fruity Imperial Porter - a sweet, tart presence of red wine grapes, notes of caramel, a bit of vanilla, and a mild oakiness that's not overbearing, yet. Hint of cocoa in there, but mostly a sweet, tartness from whatever fruitiness was contained in the barrels in the past.
Taste: My palate can taste the tartness of the Brandy immediately - It's mild, tingles the tongue, gives off a bit of a red wine presence to it. I get a bit of a Chocolate Drumstick sort of presence to it from notes of cocoa/chocolate, a bit of nuttiness to it, and a sweetness of caramel. Decently heavy so it's a very slow sipper, but that should be no surprise as it's 8.2%. There's a fairly decent amount of oakiness as well, not too much.
Overall Thoughts: This one's a bit complex for me but it's certainly intriguing. 100% a slow sipper - I took a big sip and gagged a bit. Decently tart with a red wine vibe to it, somewhat nutty, chocolatey, not exactly a combination I would usually guess but I don't mind it.
Appearance: Pours a deep, dark, black body with a hint of cola brown hue at the bottom of the glass, while the head is decently thick with a bit of a brownish burnt caramel hue to it. The head diminishes a tad after settling in the glass but still has a good amount of retention.
Aroma: Quite a fruity Imperial Porter - a sweet, tart presence of red wine grapes, notes of caramel, a bit of vanilla, and a mild oakiness that's not overbearing, yet. Hint of cocoa in there, but mostly a sweet, tartness from whatever fruitiness was contained in the barrels in the past.
Taste: My palate can taste the tartness of the Brandy immediately - It's mild, tingles the tongue, gives off a bit of a red wine presence to it. I get a bit of a Chocolate Drumstick sort of presence to it from notes of cocoa/chocolate, a bit of nuttiness to it, and a sweetness of caramel. Decently heavy so it's a very slow sipper, but that should be no surprise as it's 8.2%. There's a fairly decent amount of oakiness as well, not too much.
Overall Thoughts: This one's a bit complex for me but it's certainly intriguing. 100% a slow sipper - I took a big sip and gagged a bit. Decently tart with a red wine vibe to it, somewhat nutty, chocolatey, not exactly a combination I would usually guess but I don't mind it.
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