Perth’s endless Californian climate seems to be teetering. Although the lack of rainfall would suggest otherwise, the decreasing daylight hours are triggering hibernation of the mind. It’s a state which Mash are poised take full advantage of with this pair of formable sippers.
Black Cat’s longstanding black IPA riff returns for 2024 with a confluence of dark malts featuring baker’s chocolate and cacao tones. Prune, resin dust and a fleeting ashy quality appear as dryness takes hold a third of the way in and remains unrelenting long after the sip, dragging moderate bitterness along for the arid ride. This is a brooding yet lean cat.
Barley In The Barrel ratchets up the booze and complexity, although after months of conditioning, some of which took place in ex-Whipper Snapper whisky casks, this pours with rare elegance. While its potential was evident, an early sample showcased brash American-style barley wine characters at odds with the base, yet time has been exceedingly generous to what is one of WA’s largest beers.
Pouring a deep, clear oxblood [Seriously, Guy! – Editor], the harmonised ride features whisky prunes, Sherry and Port notes, ice cream choc drizzle, brittle toffee, almond, warm fruit cake, flat post-mix cola, honeyed, dried fig and fine oak tannins, with a wisp of booze the only hint of its size.
It almost needs to be set with a cream swirl on top, and some Scotch Fingers beside the glass. And, probably, a dram of Whipper Snapper whisky for good measure while contemplating the changing of seasons.
Guy Southern
Published May 25, 2024 2024-05-25 00:00:00
