Everyone
90

Black Raven Splinters Bourbon Strong Scotch Ale

Black Raven Brewing Company
Redmond, WA, United States of America


Vital Statistics

Release: Limited Rotating (vintaged)
ABV: 11.1%
Bitterness: 34 IBU

From the brewer

Our Second Sight Strong Scotch Ale that has been aged in various Kentucky bourbon barrels. After many months of aging, the barrels are then blended together to form Splinters. This rare bird is Released annually.

Average Scores

Overall: 90 (logged 50 times)
Draft: 90 (logged 43 times)
Bottle: 89 (logged 7 times)

Who's been drinking this

2024 release
This year is on the dry side, with a lot of wood but less booze. There's some sourness that makes this sophisticated but maybe not as immediately delicious. Still, I'm not not going to order it.
2022 release
Each new release of this beer seems a little less whiskey and a little more Scotch ale. Fairly thin, but mellow. Barrel is mostly wood and background. A fine beer for my birthday.
2021 release
More straight caramel sweetness than the Mort. Strong notes of the barrel but less straight whiskey.
2021 release
Coming to and going back to the hospital seemed as good a reason as any.
2021 release
Good but not sure if it's an actual decline in quality or the Rum Coco Jones was just that good, but it suffers in direct comparison. Seemed thinner than I remember, a little more fruity and less balanced. Definitely got that Bourbon though.
2019 release
Bottle at Work
2018 release
Still excellent.
2018 release
Smooth, buttery caramel and strong bourbon. Goes down disturbingly easily. This seems like two years in a row where the Splinters take has been very good.
2017 release
A strong release, I think. Very much bourbon, with a solid, malty, caramel Scotch ale base. Did not think this was thin at all. Back to an awesome rating, and drunk fresh at that!
2016 release
Yum yum. Very drinkable!
2013/2014 Blend release
2015 release
Thinner than I remembered, with a light, caramel, slightly nutty flavor. Bourbon is clear on the tongue but not overwhelming. I think I actually prefer the Possum Claus this year, and I don't know if it's me or the beer that's changed.
2014 release
2014 release
Aged very well.
2014 release
Still very good, it's starting to feel a little flat though.
Bottle
2014 release
Don't know whether it's because the bottle is aged a few extra months, but I didn't remember it having such dubbel like flavors. Dried fruits flavors, especially raisins, as well as caramel flavors combine with a medium bitternes into a pretty pleasant profile.
Bottle at Home
2014 release
Way too drinkable. Creamy caramel smell. Sweet finish to body.
2014 release
Tried after eating (mostly) unsweetened dark chocolate, really brought out the sweet caramel of this beer. Smooth bourbony overtones.
Bottle
2014 release
2014 release
Lots of cherry, clear bourbon flavors, boozy but not overpoweringly so.
Bottle at Home
2014 release
Thinner this year than before but still has cherry, sweet-dry wood flavor. Good bourbon presence.
2014 release
I don't know if the recipe's changed or my palate has, but this wasn't quite as transcendent as I remembered. It's still awesome, for sure. A bit thinner, maybe more drying on the tongue, more tannic, maybe?
2014 release
Why was I the only one there at release? Isn't this beer suposed to be legendary? Nevertheless, it was GREAT! I had two of them. Very smooth with a clean finish, slightly boozy, slight coconut and barrel taste. Delicious!
2013 release
Just a tad sweet and leaves some tackiness. Very good roast taste and just tasty.
2013 release
Ummmm yes please.
2013 release
Sadly, they're about to run out. So this might be the last time until (hopefully) next year. :(
2013 release
Best, Best ever !!!! I might change this to 6. but I have great expectations for the future
2013 release
Something about this beer smells and tastes like the Black Raven Pecan Porter, yum!
2013 release
AWESOME. Bourbon barrel aged Second Sight scotch ale. Just the right balance of everything.
2013 release
Somewhere between a beer and a cocktail - delicious, but not necessarily a traditional scotch ale
2013 release
This was so good, you guys. Strong bourbon presence, and light carbonation on the already exceptional Second Sight base. If there's a minus, it's that it's not very beer-like, more like a malty Manhattan. But seriously, I love Manhattans.
2013 release
Why do I smell coconut? Smells great. Smooth taste and thin carbonation leaves room to appreciate the flavor. Slightly sweet at the end but no more to be distracting.
2013 release
Very solid - very easy to drink. High alcohol content. Would drink again.