Tara

◎ Appearance

Tara presents a deep, opaque black body with a thin tan head that dissipates gradually, leaving a light film of lacing on the glass. The beer shows minimal light transmission, characteristic of the style's roasted grain base and high SRM. Carbonation is restrained, appropriate for a barrel-aged imperial stout of this weight.

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with rich notes of dried stone fruit and raisin derived from twelve months in Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, overlaying a foundation of dark roasted malt and cocoa. Beneath these layers lies a subtle alcohol warmth and hints of vanilla oak that integrate seamlessly with the barrel influence. The sherry character is pronounced but not cloying, speaking to careful maturation and balance.

◐ Taste

On the palate, Tara delivers dense, dessert-wine sweetness from both the sherry cask aging and the malt bill, with pronounced flavors of dried plum, fig, and toffee. The 65 IBU provides a firm but not aggressive bitterness that cuts through the richness without dominating, lending structure and preventing the beer from becoming one-dimensional. The 12.4% ABV is present as warming alcohol in the mid-palate, adding to the full-bodied, viscous mouthfeel.

◑ Finish

The finish is long and warming, with lingering notes of sherry, dark chocolate, and roasted grain that persist for several minutes. A subtle drying sensation emerges as the beer warms, courtesy of the moderate bitterness and oak tannins from the cask.