Deschutes 2014 The Abyss
In reviewing Deschutes’ Black Butte XXVI anniversary release, I stated it was the one beer I was most looking forward to when the company first started showing up in Virginia. Well, I lied. I’m a dirty, filthy liar. I presumed that I’d be hard pressed to procure a bottle (let alone two) of their limited The Abyss — especially knowing how rabid beer drinkers are around here. I wasn’t expecting to be able to write this review.
The 2014 version of The Abyss is brewed with black strap molasses, licorice and vanilla. Then the company took 6% of the batch and aged it in bourbon barrels. They then siphoned off another 11% to age in standard oak barrels and an even further 11% in oak win barrels.
The final blend for the 2014 release is just about the most complex — and incredibly smooth — Russian imperial stout I’ve ever released from its wax seal. The array of flavors that glide over the tastebuds present themselves individually and at varying degrees, but they also work so well with one another to create a singular, brain stimulating experience. Wow. Just, wow.