Old Stock Cellar Reserve (Aged In Bourbon Barrels) - North Coast Brewing Co.

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Rich bourbon aromas. Pours very dark borwn with a quick dissipitating head that results in a small topping of beige head. Carbonation is surprisingly strong for a 2009, justifying the difficulty in taking out this cork(yes I used a corkscrew and I am not a total weakling). A very special ale, rich malt and quality bourbon, with a bias towards being sweet. A nominal coconut taste and butteriness in the finish. A sipper. Thanks to my Southern trading partner. Oakiness is deep secondary and mellows and balances. Being a Canadian, I am neutral and not gaga about bourbon. Had again 5 months later and big coconut and bourbon smell. Buttery mouthfeel, full, but also with sourness from bourbon.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2011 03:16:00 | More by northyorksammy

BuckeyeNation

Iowa

4.4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dusky ruby with maraschino cherry highlights when the glass is backlit with weak sunshine. Too bad the khaki colored crown fizzed away to near nothing inside of several minutes. The only thing left is a thin rim of bubbles along the circumference of the laceless snifter. Barrel-aged beer can often look like this, so I won't be too harsh.

The nose is an omen that good things await on the taste buds. Possibly even great things. The beer smells like Jamaican dark rum at least as much as it smells like bourbon whiskey. It features the molasses of the former and the caramelized sugar, vanilla and toasted oak of the latter. The power is unquestioned, but more depth is needed for a bigger score to be considered. Not surprisingly, that depth arrives once the beer loses its slight starting chill.

Old Stock Cellar Reserve (Bourbon Barrel) is the quintessential slow sipper of a high-powered old ale. I now wish that I had reviewed one of the several Old Stock vintages currently in my cellar to see what the barrel aging added. Or possibly subtracted, as that also sometimes happens when beer is aged in liquor barrels.

There's quite a bit of overlap between the two styles, but this could also be considered an English barleywine. It's malt-dominant, is relatively light of body, and the ingredients are all imported from England (Maris Otter malt, Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops). On second thought, there may be more hoppiness than most British brewers would be comfortable with.

Flavors include dark toffee, dark butterscotch, bourbon-soaked raisins, crushed vanilla beans, a shot of blackstrap molasses and a double shot of tawny port. The beer's vinousness is as wonderful as it is unexpected... and I just got ouzo with that last sip. It's too bad the bottle only contains 375 ml because it's difficult to get one's palate around this much complexity given slightly more than 12 ounces of beer.

I've decided to bump the mouthfeel score up a notch because it improves a little with warming. Even though it's no more than light-medium for the style, there's a hint of oily viscosity on the finish that is, again, reminiscent of an aged port. Once a few minutes of light fizziness have passed, the carbonation is appropriately sedate.

Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve (Bourbon Barrel) is great beer. Though I much prefer bourbon whiskey to brandy, I'm sure that Old Stock Cellar Reserve (Brandy Barrel) is outstanding as well. The neck label indicates that this offering is part of the 'American Artisan Series'. That's North Coast Brewing in a nutshell: American artisans.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2008 21:56:14 | More by BuckeyeNation

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.75/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I waited a very, very long time to be able to get ahold of this one, After not being aloud to be at DLD, this year, I felt I had to open up something special to make up for it. Served at cellar temp and poured into a snifter this one was consumed on 04/24/2010.

Rich caramel colored pour with a light head of off white that caps it off rather nicely. Settling down it left a little bit of a light sticky lace along the sides. Aroma was the best I have ever come across. Rich toffee and butterscotch, tons of sweet nectar notes. Candy in all its glory. Perfectly aged with a smooth, perfect profile of vanilla, toffee, and rich butterscotch that will not let up. Rich bourbon flavor just rolls across the palate with a smoothness unlike anything I have run across before. Rich vanilla and boozy notes combine to form a perfect balance of rich sweet notes and oak soaked barrel flavor.

Incredibly complex and drinkable this was was everything I had wanted it to be and more. Quite simply one of the best beers I have had hands down. Go seek this one out now. It is dead on perfect.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2010 02:12:41 | More by mikesgroove

womencantsail

California

4.22/5  rDev -4.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Can't recall who brought this, but thank you. Bottle from the recently released 2009 vintage.

A: The beer pours a clear amber color with almost no head to speak of.

S: Like with the 2005 version, this beer is all about the bourbon. Tons of sweet vanilla, bourbon, wood, and caramel. The sweetness is actually quite intense. Perhaps some brown sugar is there also.

T: More of the same on the palate. Lots of sweet caramel, toffee, brown sugar, molasses, and vanilla. The bourbon is almost overwhelming, but this works out fine with the flavors of Old Stock.

M: Medium to full in terms of body with a minimal level of carbonation.

D: This version seems much, much less boozy than the previous one even though it was just released. I only wish it wasn't $25+ for a 500ml bottle. Maybe then I would actually buy some.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2011 01:30:46 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Split with Amyliz4. Served in a Hill Farmstead glass. 2009 Vintage.

I'll start off by saying that this is the best off-the-shelf beer I have had in a long, long time.

Pours a fairly-deep brown color. Head is extraordinarily weird. It fizzes up like crazy at first and then immediately dies down to nothing. Very reminiscent of cola in that way. In color, too, I suppose. The nose leads with a strong aroma of smooth bourbon. Some molasses and brown sugar are in the background, but the focus is definitely the barrel.

Flavor is much more complex and oh so incredibly smooth. Bourbon hits from the start along with some caramel, molasses, and a hint of burnt sugar. Light vanilla there as well. Bourbon dominates. Mouthfeel is medium and beyond smooth. Simply incredible. This was a sipper, for nothing other than pure enjoyment. Huge fan and I hope they do this more often. Also, please release the brandy version again!

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2011 20:14:22 | More by Thorpe429

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Pours a clouded, dark brown body with a bubbly beige head.

Smell: Aroma drenched in bourbon with notes of caramel, oak, dark brown sugar, vanilla, fruit, and a puff of smoke.

Taste: Ah, rich caramel with a candylike sweetness you'd find in a dessert-minded liqueur. Macerated dark fruits. Full bourbon flavor with the essential hints of vanilla, wood, and brown sugar. Finishes bourbony with an alcoholic sear of success in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Medium carbonation. Lush mouthfeel.

Drinkability: A great beer and a fine offspring of the Old Stock Ale, but I gotta say the Brandy Barrel version just barely beats it out.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2008 21:22:29 | More by ChainGangGuy

UCLABrewN84

California

4.19/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Bottle pour for Best Damn Night Of The Barrels held at The Beer Company in San Diego, CA.

2009 vintage.

Pours a clear brown with a foamy beige head that fades to nothing. No lacing on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, toffee, bourbon, and wood. Taste is much the same with an alcohol kick on the finish. There is a mild amount of woody bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with some great barrel aged aromas and flavors.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 05:34:45 | More by UCLABrewN84

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.53/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Impressive as hell to see what the bourbon barrels do to the ever-tasty Old Stock Ale. More caramel. More vanilla. More chocolate. Smoother taste. ...All add to the tradition and regal character of well aged English Old Ales.

Pourig a deep crimson color with near clarity, the beer portrays a very mystic hue. The familiar part-loose, part-dense bubbles that comprise the head is a direct carryover from the original Old Stock. But the fleeting retetion and low level of lace shows how the barrel changes the beer's appearance. Alcohols and barrel aging degrade the head character just a bit.

Deep and succulent aromas of toffee and molasass also share the stage with vanilla, caramel, and chocolate for a deeply desert-like scent. Enough wine-like character to resemble cognac and enough sweetness to resemble rum, the aromas are dense, robust, and refined.

Flavors closely resemble the aromas but with few exceptions. The sweetness of caramel, molasass, etc... is balanced (and perhaps overshadowed) by a highly attenuated sugary/alcoholic taste that's very good, but not as succulent as the aroma. English fruitiness of figs and dates carry a nutty undertone with mature barley, fruitcake, and chocolate. Rum alcohols made a return with a cherry-like taste and boozy overall flavor. The barrel's bourbon, vanillans, caramel, and tanins all make a posative impact in taste to elevate the natural flavor of Old Stock but to contribute strength and nobility.

Rich and succulent to start, the beer quickly ushers in alcoholic warmth that further sweetens the beer before turning warm, and then slightly boozy. Medium early creaminess is quick-lived and develops quickly to heat and semi-sweet dryness in finish.

The Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Stock definately carries a masculine bourbon, caramel, vanill, chocolate character that is very shy in the original version. Somewhat of a caramel and chocolatey port or brandy, this is definately a beer for discriminating palates.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2011 03:38:09 | More by BEERchitect

drabmuh

Maryland

4.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I drank the whole thing alone, not the brightest of ideas but I've had worse. Beer is brown and hazy with a tan head that disappears quickly, no lacing low carbonation.

Caramel and bourbon, woody and sweet in the nose. Lots of candy.

Beer is medium in body and the base beer comes through more than I expected, so that's a good thing. Overall the bourbon brightens up the forward and midpalate in complexity. The malt character from the Old Stock is present and very nice. The finish is a little dry for the style but overall it a great beer. I wish it wasn't 20$ a bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 04:20:30 | More by drabmuh

Mora2000

Texas

4.33/5  rDev -2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to blutt59 for sharing this bottle. This is the 2009 vintage.

The beer pours a dark carmel color with a tan head. The aroma is full of bourbon, caramel and maple syrup. The aroma is definitely that of a bourbon-barrel aged beer and is quite enjoyable.

The flavor is more of the same. I get a lot of chocolate notes and caramel malt, as well as some bourbon and maple notes. There is also a little bit of vanilla from the barrel aging process. The alcohol is detectable but is not overpowering.

Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Very nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2011 04:09:36 | More by Mora2000

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.1/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours with a quickly dissipating, initially one-finger thick, tan colored head. The beer is a dark, rusted amber color, but shows a brilliantly clear, full cranberry color when held up to the light. Ample Bourbon and sharp oak notes greet my nose, but it is far more integrated and smoother than many Bourbon Barrel beers. In fact the barrel character is right on par with the Brandy barrel version; certainly dominant, but well integrated and pleasing to the olfactory senses. Notes of spicy Bourbon, vanillin, ample butterscotch laden oak, definite warming alcohol notes and a touch of spicy wood are all noticeable parts of the barrel aging. The barrel notes are well supported by a substantial, but clearly secondary, malt character; ample caramelized malt notes help to smooth out the barrel notes and especially marry well with the vanillin and butterscotch notes. Some berry-like fruitiness, a sweet nuttiness and toasty browned malts are also part of the malt profile. After my nose gets used to the aroma a bit the barrel character seems to die down a bit, but it never loses the ample warming note from the alcohol.

Sweet, but as was the sister brew, this is very light feeling for a beer of this strength. The alcohol is omnipresent and seems to quickly go to my head, though I would not characterize it as overly hot, merely substantially warming. Nutty flavors seem to accent wood derived notes of butterscotch and vanillin; the latter two being the more noticeable notes. The malt provides fruity notes of raisins and berries that, in combination with the booze, make this taste a bit like Brandy. This is clearly Bourbon influenced though as it has a characteristically spicy edge to it, especially in the finish. The barrel notes are huge here, somehow this beer holds them in check though; the base beer manages to keep the barrel from becoming overly aggressive. The Bourbon character somehow manages to be so present here in the flavor, but it still does not become disagreeable (am I becoming more used to Bourbon notes in beer, a distinct possibility, or is this just that well integrated).

Definitely harder than the Brandy barrel aged version, but not overly so and I can see this appealing more to some people. The sharper barrel notes, which the Bourbon brings out, are really nice though and make this beer different enough (in a good way) from the Brandy that I find that I am enjoying this beer far more than I thought I would. I really think that trying this beer after I sampled the Brandy one (separated by days) has made me enjoy this beer all that much more. If I had had it at the same time, or before the other one, I don't think I would have enjoyed it as much. The differences that my memory has played out seem to be the most intriguing part of this beer. What this relies on though is the fact that this beer, while clearly barrel dominated, does not allow the barrel notes to overwhelm & marginalize the base beer. In the end it is a little too alcohol accented in the flavor to be on the same level as the Brandy barrel aged old stock, but it is still damn tasty and quite close.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2008 04:45:52 | More by Gueuzedude

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.03/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I bit the bullet and bought a bottle of this beer. I love Bourbon Barrel Aged beers as long as the aging it very pronounced. This beer poured out as a reddish brown color with a thin fizzy white head on it. The head didn't leave behind much of any lacing. The smell of the beer was pretty good. There were strong aromas of Bourbon, caramel, molassas, and some faint vanilla. The taste was pretty good too. The Bourbon kicked in on the tounge for a really nice sweet flavor. The mouthfeel was a little bit on the thin side I thought. My overall thoughts of this beer were kind of on the negative end. I liked the beer essentially but the price was hardest to swallow. The beer should have been much thicker I think, which would have given it a much better mouthfeel. I don't see myself ever buyng this one again, if you know off about $15 off the price tag it might be worth it. There are better options out there but if you have deep pockets give this one a try.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2011 17:04:26 | More by Knapp85

Halcyondays

California

4.13/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

375 mL bottle, 2005 Vintage,

A: Pours a murky brown with no head, yeasty look.

S: Classic bourbon barrel nose, vanilla with sweet dried fruit.

T: Raisins and dates, heavy on the dried fruit flavour mixed with the malt. Some aged barleywine style malt, hint of oxidation.

M: Full-bodied, very light carbonation, soft, a sipper.

O: Not as good as the brandy for me, but this was a delightful effort. I wonder what it tastes like fresh.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2011 02:34:11 | More by Halcyondays

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to Deuane for picking this up for me several years ago.

A: The cork opened with little fanfare. Poured into a snifter, the old ale is dark, nearly black. A tan colored head of nearly half a finger boldly bubbled up on pour before disappearing quickly.

S: The bourbon is intensely strong. Heavy notes of vanilla, brown sugar and wood provide one hell of a punch. Caramel and darker malt aromas also come through.

T: The old ale is incredible. Bourbon flavors leap off the page with each sip. Dark sugars, vanilla and brown sugar all scream bourbon barrel. The flavors are intense and concentrated, completing integrated into the old ale. Caramel and darker malts, along with mild hops, mark the old ale aspect. Those flavors are nicely interwoven with the bourbon. A thick sweetness arises near the end of each sip, caramel and bourbon, what a way to end each sip!

M: Smooth bourbon, treacly caramel, extended time in a barrel. A triple threat that leaves me begging for more.

D: I'd never guess that this is almost 15%. The bourbon barrel has imparted one wicked flavor on the ale. Well done!

Serving type: bottle

02-11-2010 00:41:42 | More by akorsak

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.28/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Poured a deep mahogany color with good carbonation and a nice tannish head

S: Nose is sweet caramel, brown sugar, booze, bourbon, vanilla,wood

T: Caramel, toffee, brown sugar, booze upfront, bourbon, wood and vanilla come in midway to the finish

M: Booze, sweet, sticky, big body but not as boozy as you would think

D: Good but there is no way this beer warrants $25 for the size. North Coast needs to learn that people will buy more for less. LA Angels Share is $17 so why would I drop an extra $8 on this. Overpriced and rated.

Serving type: bottle

01-07-2011 03:38:22 | More by barleywinefiend

Wasatch

Utah

4.78/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Thanks goes out to cyrusthepup for this brew.

16.9 oz.
Caged/Corked
Tan Bottle
2009 Vintage

Poured into a Westy chalice a very nice brownish color, very nice carbonation (HUGE POP), nice one-finger fizzy/foamy off-white head, with some nice small islands and sticky lacing left behind. The nose is sweet, malty, with some raisins, figs, plum notes, very nice touch of oak/bourbon, slight ABV note. The taste is absolutely amazing, sweet, malty, some very nice dark fruit notes, bourbon, oaky, slight cherry note. Medium Body, theres a nice lightness to this brew on the tongue, ABV is hidden very well. This is one amazing brew. Glad I finally got a chance to try it. Thanks Chris!

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2011 20:46:58 | More by Wasatch

mdfb79

New York

4.38/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

From 01/21/11 notes. Shared at a small tasting by nimbleprop; thanks Mac, another big want!

a - Pours a deep mahogany brown color with one inch of white head and moderate carbonation evident.

s - Smells of bourbon, oak, caramel malts, toffee, and vanilla. Also some sweet molasses or sugar.

t - Tastes of oak, bourbon, caramel malts, vanilla, sugar, and light fruit.

m - Medium body and low carbonation. Nice mouthfeel that is easy to drink.

d - I thought this was a great bourbon barrel aged ale. The nose on this one is fantastic, full of bourbon, oak, and caramel, and the mouthfeel makes it very easy to drink considering the high ABV. Would love to try again, definitely a bottle to split with a few friends.

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2011 19:32:42 | More by mdfb79

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.3/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

500ml bottle purchased at Yankee Spirits, Sturbridge, MA. Corked & caged.

Poured into a DFH snifter, formed a 1" dark tan head above the cloudy burgundy brew. Head recedes sedately, with leggy slow-falling lace. Aroma is leathery sweetness with vanilla and coconut. Taste follows the nose, sweet to start, deep chocolatey tannins in the middle, and closes with boooze character and some warmth. Mouthfeel is smooth, and drinkability is quite good for a sipper. Good stuff, although not sure if it's $20 good. Anyways, a nice treat for a cold night.

1/16/08 - 4.5/4.5/4.5/4.5/4.5
375ml bottle obtained via trade with unclejedi. Thanks for the opportunity... Corked & caged.

Poured into a Rapscallion glass, formed a 1/2" tan head above the cloudy, barely translucent dark reddish brown brew. Head falls gradually, with lasting lace. Aroma is leathery dark malts coupled with lightly fruity alcohol. Taste mirrors the nose, rich aged maltiness coupled with dense but not overpowering alcohol character. Bourbon comes through in the warming aftertaste. Mouthfeel is smooth, but the warming is a bit intense, and drinkability is very nice. An impressive nightcap, for sure.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2011 03:01:32 | More by ppoitras

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2009 vintage, consumed fresh:

Pours a deep, dark ruby red color with dark mahogany edges when held to a light source and a one finger fizzy, light beige head that quickly fades into a thin ring. Not much in the way of lacing.

Amazing aroma with lots of sweet bourbon, earthy oak, vanilla and marshmallow along with lots of earthy, leathery malt notes. Hints of toffee, caramel and hazelnut sweetness along with subtle booze. The barrel aging has done wonders for the nose of this beer and instead of smelling like a complete bourbon bomb, there is a lot of complexity. I smelled this beer for several minutes before taking the first sip. Amazing!

Soft carbonation up front with a silky medium body that has a complex flavor profile, slight alcohol heat and subtle warmth in the finish. As in the aroma, the barrel aging is prominent in the flavor. Lots of earthy oak, vanilla and prominent bourbon without being hot. Although the bourbon flavor is there it doesn't burn your chest or overpower the other characteristics. Lots of earthy, leathery malt with hints of toffee, hazelnut, caramel and biscuit. Sweet alcohol and dark fruit notes, mostly raisin, date, fig and plum. As mentioned above, there is only slight heat/warmth and the ABV of this beer is incredibly well masked. At this young of an age I was expecting this to be a complete boozy, bourbon bomb. Instead, it is a complex, flavorful, well balanced and quaffable barrel aged beer. I'm really looking forward to trying the brandy version and the earlier bourbon vintage.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2011 08:40:37 | More by corby112

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

4.13/5  rDev -6.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours out a chestnut brown, with a thin, flimsy head construed of mostly open bubbles, making a thin beige head. There's red in the edges color wise. I'm normally not a fan of the base beer, in fact, I let an ex chug a bottle of the 2000 a few years ago, that was hilarious. Anyways, the aroma is so nice and sweet in the bourbon barrel versions of these, complete 180 degree turnaround for my nose. Bourbon oak, sweetness, it makes an almost syrup/molasses like component come out of the beer. Plenty of carmelized vanilla oak notes. Pretty amazing stuff aroma wise.

For something of this massive constitution, the beer felt so much lighter. A nice sweet body, but it wasn't thick. Seemed like the barrel lightened the body and added so much flavor. Bourbon isn't hot at all, in fact, it comes off like a bourbon and brandy blend moreso than just bourbon. Sticky. Takes caramel, toffee and chocolate in a sweet form married with bourbon. That's how its done son. Even manages to have just a smidge of rum like raisin bread aspect to it.

Its a real expensive beer, so I only see myself, at $20 a pop (same price per oz as Black Tuesday), buying a bottle of this every 5-10 years probably.

Serving type: bottle

10-17-2012 18:56:16 | More by Beerandraiderfan

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.35/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Actually brought this back from my recent trip out to Ft. Bragg. Turns out I needn't have bothered, as the beer seems to be readily available in the DC and Baltimore areas. Oh well, at least it was a bit cheaper at the brewpub.

The beer pours a fairly dark amber color with pretty good head retention and fair lacing. On the nose I get a huge blast of vanilla, brown sugar, prunes and bourbon, with some underlying dry sherry as well. The flavor profile tends to replicate the nose pretty closely in this rich and intensely flavored beer. Mouthfeel is full with a long, sweet finish, though there's enough underlying hoppy bitterness to buoy the sweetness. As a result, drinkability isnt' too bad in this 13% abv. beer, as it's not at all cloying or heavy on the palate. Still, a little bit of this goes a long way, and I was very glad I had two friends to help me with my 500 ml. bottle.

A very nice beer from North Coast, though I'm not sure the $20 plus price tag is justified. Would have to think twice before buying another bottle of this.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2011 14:35:28 | More by johnmichaelsen

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.6/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 edition, purchased from K&L Wine Merchants in Redwood City, CA. Brought back to Sydney, and shared with @LaitueGonflable comparing it to the 2011 regular Old Stock Ale.

Pours a pleasant deep and slightly hazed red-brown hue, deep like mahogany. Head forms solidly at first, giving a crown of gauzy beige bubbles on the top of the glass, but this settles out to a ring above the thick, toffee-like body. Gelatinously thick in the glass, but very little carbonation, meaning it doesn't effervesce pleasantly when tilted. In all other respects though, it's a very good looking beer.

Nose is spectacularly gorgeous, bringing to bear all the best things about a development in bourbon barrels. Big, smooth, rich sweetness with fragrances of vanilla and toffee. This is balanced by a slight redolent boozy quality, that never gets to sharp or astringent, but adds its potency to the mix, allowing a build up of other complexities. Deep, sweet, luscious. It's a phenomenally good nose.

Taste is similar, with big oaky characters giving vanilla and smoothness, and surprisingly adding very little tannin. The flavours are themselves exceptionally smooth, even though the feel is prickled with a touch of the booziness and a slight fine carbonation. This pleasantly cleans out the palate, without ever compromising the rich sweetness.

Absolutely gorgeous beer, and head and shoulders above the regular edition. This has mellowed, added complexity and integration in equal measures. It leaves it smooth, supple and seductive. This is one sexy fucking beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2011 09:14:41 | More by lacqueredmouse

HopHead84

California

4.4/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours dark amber with a one finger off white head. The reddish tinge is highlighted when held to light. The head recedes after a minute. This apparently has more carbonation than its brandy brother. The legs might even be better on this than on the other, despite the lesser ABV.

There's lots of toffee in the nose, with equally strong caramel. The bourbon is unmistakable. Vanilla is noticeable, and oak is in the background. The heat is much more noticeable here than it was in the brandy version. Dried and dark fruits are apparent, with lots of brown sugar.

The taste is brown sugar with boozy toffee and caramel. I'm surprised the heat is so strong on this 2005 beer. I thought it would be pretty mellow with nearly 4 years on it. This is much hotter than the brandy barrel. Some vanilla is noticeable, with some dark fruits and figs. There's a lot of bourbon in the flavor, which is awesome. The finish is strong with toffee and lingering brown sugar.

The beer is medium bodied. The carbonation is low, but it's a little higher than the brandy version. The mouthfeel is silky smooth with some viscosity. This is an excellent beer, though very hot.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2009 17:55:09 | More by HopHead84

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

4.75/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2009 Vintage - sampled 26/10/11.

I was surprised by how loud a 'pop' I got prying out the cork; while the head itself didn't last long, bubbles continue spew atop the surface like it were the Stromboli volcano. It's no shocker that at more than 13% alcohol lacing fails to stick to the glass, although a piano could stand on the legs left. Like its ceramic bottle, the beer's deep chestnut-y coloured body is opaque, revealing nothing to the light.

There's no mistaking the bourbon in the aroma - it's as Ann as the nose on plain's face - but a particularly dark wild honey does come over the senses, with the raisin, brown sugar and resiny, bitter hops of standard Old Stock Ale not far behind. Of course, digging your way through the vanilla - not that you'd want to - requires a drilling rig and there's enough wood spice to make you sneeze. But that's all part of the charm.

Book it boys, this flavour is 5-oh. I'm no sucker for big bourbon flavours - in fact, a regrettable experience involving far too much of it and an 18 hour overnight bus trip without water makes me rather sensitive to the stuff - but even me (and my occasional gag reflex) must concede that North Coast has found the perfect balance of gooey heated butterscotch, vanilla bean, and malty-rich old ale.

Usually a beer with this much alcohol would upset even those with a cast iron stomach but despite the tremendous presence of bourbon flavour, the amount of perceivable alcohol is shockingly low. This is a sipper, to be sure, but less out of necessity than of just not wanting the glass to run empty. A *pint* of near 14% beer sounds ridiculous, but this is a bourbon-barrel aged beer I actually can (and want!) to drink in a 500ml serving.

Old Stock Cellar Reserve has all the flavours and complexity of bourbon but with the drinkability and thick, malty body of beer. It is, for my money ($25 dollars), one of the best bourbon-barrel aged beers I've ever tried, hands down. You get what you pay for; this has definitely been an out-of-the-ordinary experience. It is every bit as good as people say it is. A wonderful testimony to the American craft beer revolution!

Serving type: bottle

10-27-2011 01:49:35 | More by biegaman

kojevergas

California

3.18/5  rDev -28.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2

1 pint .9 fl oz/16.9 fl oz brown glass bottle coated in ceramic with hood-and-wire cap over a cork served into an EKU 28 snifter at me gaff in low altitude Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are through the roof; I tried the regular version and was rather impressed. This is the 2009 cellar reserve.

A: Pours a one finger head of slight cream, good thickness, and great retention (~ three minutes maybe) for the ABV. Colour is a solid brown-black. It's generally appealing, but isn't particularly unique or special.

Sm: Bourbon, caramel, oak (up front primarily), almost a peat-like note, and cream. The main note is raisins, which doesn't work as well as it should. The oak resurges right at the finish, providing a sort of musty wood note that is more pleasant than it sounds. A moderate to strong aroma.

T: A nice little delicate blend of oak, light bourbon, some soda on the climax (which is unexpected), a hint of peat, light caramelized malts, and layered wood/oak undertones. The flavours of the regular old stock are but a shadow here, which seems to be to its detriment. The oaky complexity is nice, but the aging vessel tones seem to drown out the complex flavours that made me like the original so much. Some cream is present on the open. Sadly, some alcohol does come through in the early second act, which subtly affects the balance negatively. It remains well-balanced, but the build is far from ideal. I imagined the barrel-aged version of Old Stock would taste considerably better than this.

Mf: Smooth and wet, but coarse in the third act. It's not at all tailored to the flavours, but does manage to complement them in a general fashion. It doesn't get in the way, but it isn't helping all that much either.

Dr: For the high ABV, it's quite drinkable. But I don't know that it's at all an improvement upon the Old Stock ale, which in the Orange County store I purchased these beers at was only $3.99 compared to this version's hefty $22.95 price tag. I don't notice any benefits of aging. While overall it's an enjoyable beer, unfortunately it pales in comparison to the original. Its high price point and disappointing quality should turn off most beer fanatics. I'm regretful I took the plunge for this one, but I enjoyed it for what it was.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2012 02:11:29 | More by kojevergas