Leann Folláin is one of the best stouts in the country, and one my favourites from anywhere. As such, it only makes sense that it should be the perfect base beer for barrel-ageing, following on from Franciscan Well's Jameson Stout and 8 Degrees' Kindred Spirit.
Barrel-Aged Leann Folláin pours as black as the original version, and produces an equally tempting aroma. The mocha and dark fruit of the base beer is paired up wonderfully with woody vanilla from the ageing process. The palate matches this, and carries it all on a silky, milky body. Delicious and dangerously drinkable despite it's strength and full-flavoured-ness.
So the beer is good, and the bottle didn't last very long, but how much of that is down to the barrel-ageing process? It's goodness seems less determined by the whiskey barrel than, say, Kindred Spirit's, which had whiskey pawprints all over it. It does have more of a barrel character than the Fran Well offering though, so if you're in the market for a large bottle of barrel-aged stout, this is the one for you. A better base beer and better barrel-ageing results.
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