Allagash Curieux – Wow!
Allagash Curieux is pure bliss. This is so complex that I got lost between the first malty-sweet sip and the long journey that ended with a spirit laden finish. The only change I’d make is to pour Curieux into a brandy snifter to capture and concentrate those bourbon, spice and vanilla aromas. Nice, very nice. Oh, and Curieux is one of the “1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die”.
Allagash starts with their already perfect Tripel. My initial thought was, “Oh, please don’t screw that up.” I was not disappointed. The Jim Beam bourbon barrels only enhance and increase the complexity of a great Tripel. I feared the oak and bourbon characters would be overdone, but not in this case. Moderation is the key. A great balance of a wonderful Tripel that also includes complimentary and unique flavors that only make it better.
On with the tasting:
The pour is a slightly cloudy, rich deep gold with orange highlights. A huge, long-lasting, off-white head floats forever above the beautiful liquid.
The nose is malty, bready with immediate and deliberate hints of spice that blend into distinct bourbon aromas and eventually drift into tropical fruit and vanilla.
The flavor mimics the aroma experience very closely. First sip is a sweet malty Tripel with spicy banana. Midway through the taste the bourbon and oak flavors kick in. The final phase of this complex elixir are some of the Tripel characteristics of honey, vanilla and clove.
The finish is as incredibly complex as the aroma and flavor. The oak steps up first as you exhale and pause, then the spice reappears and finally the bourbon leaves a long-lasting warming affect on your palate. Wow.
Curieux retains that Tripel identity and adds just the right balance of bourbon and oak to make it about half of each character.
Outstanding!
