Score: 97/100 – World-Class
Appearance 5/6
The beer pours a clear black with low, dense, brown head. Poor foam retention. A good looking stout.
Aroma 23/24
Strong intensity with good balance. The aroma is intense, complex, and seductive.
Big barrel notes pair extremely well with the coffee and dark malts. A healthy dose of esters, alcohol, and oxidation marry the rest of the character while adding layers. Enticing aroma.
Flavour 40/40
Strong intensity with great balance and very assertive perceived bitterness.
Fantastic depth of flavour featuring a marriage of barrel, dark malts, esters, hops, and special ingredients. Masterfully executed. Top-notch.
Mouthfeel 10/10
Medium-full body with low carbonation. The mouthfeel is slick and smooth with restrained alcohol warming and a sweet finish. A hint of astringency but no actual harshness on the palate. Heavy impact.
Overall 19/20
Péché Mortel Bourbon 2021 is a world-class barrel-aged imperial stout.
It’s astonishing how well this beer has held over the last few years. I’ve had very few stouts developing so beautifully over time. Most of the time 24 months leave a dent in the beer that makes me crave it fresh. That’s not the case here.
Glorious flavour and overall character with fabulous mouthfeel make this a wonderful treat. Sure, I ended up preferring the 2022 and most recent 2023 editions but 2021 is absolutely worth your time, even in 2024.
Beerfection | Craft Beer Reviews | Montreal, Canada 