Black Magick has made it's way into the Philly market and like so many high octane Bourbon Aged beers brings with it ultra hype. The Imperial Stout (Big Black Voodoo Daddy) is aged for a year in 13 1/2 year old Elaigh Craig bourbon barrels. The bottle conditioned ale is suitable for cellaring up to 5 years. Since it's only released every two years and highly sought-after buy it when you see it. It's not staying around for long.
Thanks to Brian at Craft Ale House I had a chance to sample some of the Magick. Even with a small pour the immediate aroma is full of bourbon and chocolate. Smelling it longer, coffee, vanilla and hints of tobacco are detectable. The taste is hype worthy. The roastiness and chocolate come out first, quickly followed by warm bourbon, vanilla and oak. It's all very sweet and syrupy but not cloying. I'm sure as the beer warms even more complex flavors appear. The surprise is the smoothness factor. At 15.5% you might expect an overly hot alcohol bomb. Not so. The alcohol is comfortably hidden. Still, it's a sipper and even though it's only a 12oz bottle Black Magick is built for sharing. As far as uber hyped Bourbon Aged Stouts go this one falls slightly short of KBS, The Abyss and Bourbon County Stout. It will be interesting to see what aging does for the flavor. If budget allows buy one for the cellar and another to enjoy now.
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