Firestone Walker Velvet Merkin 2018 (355ml)

A smooth, soft vanilla and espresso sweet stout

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

It is the seasonal Velvet Merlin, which appears from autumn to winter, aged in bourbon barrels.

As its stylish and unique name (note) suggests, it has an incredibly smooth and rich flavor.

Aged in used bourbon barrels from several brands, including Heaven Hill and Woodford Reserve, this beer offers not only the smoothness of oats but also aromas of vanilla, coconut, toasted oak, and mocha, and flavors of rich milk chocolate, bourbon, and espresso.

Despite a full year of aging, it is surprisingly well-balanced and restrained, resulting in 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 female pubic hair.

Velvet Merkin thus implies "a moist and smooth pubic wig like velvet."

The beer named Velvet Merkin was originally an oatmeal stout served in the brewery's tasting room since 2004.

That was the base for this beer, which is now known as "Velvet Merlin."

• ABV: 7.8%
• IBU: -
• Alcohol Type: Beer
• Ingredients: Malt, hops, oats
• Hops: -
• Brewery: Firestone Walker
• Style: Bourbon Barrel-Aged Oatmeal Stout
• Volume: 355ml
• Container: Bottle