Score: 87/100 – Great
Appearance 4/6
The beer pours a slightly hazy dark brown with low, creamy, tan head. Poor foam retention.
Aroma 23/24
Strong intensity with sweet balance. The aroma is rich, round, and dessert-like.
Adjuncts dominate. Prominent milk chocolate and vanilla with caramel and molasses. Nice barrel character and mild oxidation at the back. Quite complex.
Flavour 36/40
Follows the aroma with strong intensity, good balance, and pronounced perceived bitterness.
Great flavour. The beer’s sweet but there’s a saltiness and enough alcohol to cut through it. Specialty malt, adjuncts, and barrel take center stage.
Mouthfeel 9/10
Medium-full body with moderate carbonation. The mouthfeel is mildly chewy with a bit of fizz and an overall smooth quality. Noticeable alcohol warming and a sweet finish. A bit of a bite on the tongue but no harshness.
Overall 15/20
For the most part, this is a great beer.
The appearance is ok – missing foam and clarity, offering nothing special. I love the luxurious aroma which is dominated by special ingredients. The palate follows with better balance and very enjoyable character. I think the barrel doesn’t come through as much as I’d like and the adjuncts overshadow the base recipe. The beer ends up feeling a little heavy-handed and missing finesse.
Having said that, Archibald delivers beyond my expectations by delivering a pleasant sipping experience.
Beerfection 