A Baltic Beast - Window Weather by Sori Brewing
Today I have a very special beer to review for you guys, this one from Tallinn, Estonia.
I had the chance to try this baby at the World of Drinks shop in Rotterdam's Markthal, one of the most iconic buildings in the city which hosts this licor store containing over 500 beer labels. You can buy the beer from the shop or you can take a cold one from the fridge and sit down at one of the tables and bring your own food if you wish, there is no restriction to bringing your own beer snacks. What a great place to try your luck with a new beer, and lucky I was!
This beer was a new label being sold in the shop so I gave it a shot and what a joy this was. Never expected to find something so special coming from Estonia, which is not known for surprisingly great barrel aged beers. So without further delay, here is the review:
The Stats:
Window Weather is an Oak Barrel Aged Rye Wine, with 10.5% abv, brewed with 40% Finish Rye and Caraway (Cumin) Seeds.
The Review:
Color and Aroma
The Color is deep Brown and as a good Rye Wine goes, with very little head and carbonation. The aroma is smoky and leathery, with notes of brown coconut and mossy oak. The complexity of this aroma is imply uncanny, what a treat to the nose.
Flavor and Body
As soon as you take a sip, you are instantly hit with a session of ripe peach with dark caramel and toffee flavors, and it keeps on going until you are hit with late notes of tamarind and dates, which are probably derived of the combination of caramel aroma of the rye and the light spiciness of the cumin seeds, and then finally the smokiness of the oak barrel. This beer has shown incredible complexity in flavor just as it has in its aroma. The body is creamy and slightly heavy, which goes well with this beer's profile.
Finish
The finish is smoky, lightly sweet and little very little lingering alcohol, what lingers is your thought of: "what is this delicious thing I'm drinking? I need more!".
Overall Score: 8.7 - Highly Recommended!
If you see one, pick up this beer on your next visit to the beer shop, you won't regret it!
Cheers and see you next time.
