Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin 2017 (355ml)

A stout with the smoothness of oats, plus flavors of vanilla, coconut, chocolate, and espresso.

Velvet Merkin is an oatmeal stout that is part of Firestone Walker's "Proprietor's Vintage" series, their highest-end lineup.

It is a seasonal product that appears from autumn to winter each year, and Velvet Merkin is Velvet Merlin aged in bourbon barrels.

As its stylish and unique name (note) suggests, it has a very smooth and rich taste.

Aged in used bourbon barrels from several brands, including Heaven Hill and Woodford Reserve, it offers the smoothness of oats, plus aromas of vanilla, coconut, toasted oak, and mocha, and rich flavors of milk chocolate, bourbon, and espresso.

Despite being aged for a full year, it is surprisingly well-balanced and restrained, with a very refined taste.

It won gold medals at the Great American Beer Festival in 2010 and 2011.

Note: A merkin is a wig for pubic hair. Velvet Merkin therefore means "a pubic hair wig as moist and smooth as velvet." The beer called Velvet Merkin was originally an oatmeal stout served in the brewery's tasting room starting in 2004. That was the base of this beer, which is now known as "Velvet Merlin."

• ABV: 8.5%
• IBU: -
• Alcohol Type: Beer
• Ingredients: Malt, Hops, Oats
• Hops: -
• Brewery: Firestone Walker
• Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Oatmeal Stout
• Volume: 355ml
• Container: Bottle