What was bad about it? Over the top smoke? You have really peaked my interest since it seems you had it before and now this experience was different. (Insert obligatory lol its Fantome, every bottle is different.) But serious, ive drank from 3 different bottles and equally enjoyed them all. A smokiness was present in all of them but their level of tartness was different in each one.
Serious question. Have you ever had smoked tea before? Im not trying to defend Fantome (well, yeah I am because to death do us part.)
But anyway, I am fairly certain Dany used tea in this brew that imparts the smokiness. Have you tried the off batches of classic saison, hiver, printemps, black noire de noire, etc? Do you find the smokiness to be comparible to that or something different? I believe the lack of plastic notes in extra sour dark are because that particular issue was fixed causing the smoke/bandaid/tire fire. But this different smokiness I believe exists because of the tea that was used.
You mentioned magic ghost. Im a fan but the last bottle of that I drank was a bit off too. Im curious if tea was used in that one as well (not the smoky kind) and im wondering about the volume/strength of tea and how that works in beer. Can the tannins in a strong tea sort of drop to the bottom of the beer or tank causing stronger/weaker proportions depending how early in the bottling process it was filled? (Sorry, I didnt mean to single you out and fire all these thoughts/questions your way, im just brainstorming and trying to understand from a brewers perspective.)
Anxiously awaiting
Trady 1v1willwreku and anyone else whom had a bottle to drink and chime in with an opinion and constructive discussion.