12 oz bottle- ~$16/4-pack
- Purchased at Chattanooga Wine & Spirits
Background
I began the afternoon with a cigar review while watching neighbors work on burning leaves. When they set a large pile of logs and brush on fire, the entertainment value increased. When that pile started to set their next-door neighbors trees on fire, I knew it was going to get interesting. So when I finished with that review, I decided to pull out a Dragon’s Milk to review and continue watching the show.
Dragon’s Milk is a Bourbon barrel-aged stout from New Holland Brewing. It comes in at an impressive 11% ABV and only 31 IBUs, which makes it right in my wheelhouse.
Of particular note, New Holland did a collaboration with Asylum Cigars to age cigars in barrels that were used to age the beer…which were previously used to age Bourbon. I reviewed that cigar and found it not that appealing to me.
Notes
Dragon’s Milk is a stout…so it pours into the glass looking as black as used motor oil and having almost the same consistency. I could definitely smell the Bourbon from the barrels it was aged in, even before bringing it close to my nose.
It is thick and creamy in texture with beery stout flavors at first that quickly give way to a boozy combination of vanilla and oak. The finish has a coffee note that is very nice.
I opted to pair this strong beer with a strong, full-bodied cigar, the Dirty Rat from Drew Estate. They complemented each other nicely, with the beer bringing a welcome sweetness to the party while the cigar added in pepper and leather notes.
As I continued on, I got more dark chocolate from the beer, along with a pronounced coffee finish.
The Dragon’s Milk proved very malty and sweet and was a great accompaniment to the Dirty Rat.
