First sip means a big old blast of nutty flavor with some dark fruits. The overwhelming taste, however, is an aged wood. It is a very smooth drink, which is very different from any of the other beers that I've had that were aged in a barrel that had been used for liquor before. They were all overpowered by the latent taste of the phantom drinks and added little of their own character. This one is different, and it compliments with the other tastes.
A proper swig may be stratospheric for this beer, and I'm finding out now. Tip-in is nuts, smokey oats, and oak. The middle rushes in inappropriately with a bit more smoke, adding in a dash of carbonation around the tongue, and there isn't a hint of any heavy liquor past a resurgence of nuts. The finish gives a hit of bitter right at the end of the middle, and then a brown liquor appears to take a very short bow before nuts and honey run away down the tongue to enjoy their life in the tummy. The general taste really reminds me of the very good Lazy Magnolia, but it has a bit more edge.
Bottom Line: A very interesting take on barrel aged beer. The best I've had (sorry, Innis and Gunn).
3.75/5