Bourbon County Brand Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

Gueuzedude

Arizona

4.38/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

This beer is a pitch black color, with hardly any head created by the gentle pouring of this beer into a tulip glass. The aroma is rich with notes of Bourbon, vanilla, a strong oak character, and woody tannins. The aroma is very appealing with a liquor-like alcohol note to it as well. The taste is quite thick, definitely a dessert, rich malt character that is dominated by the oak contributions; Bourbon, vanillin, and a slight tannic oakiness, and a definite buttery oak note. There are notes of coffee and roast malt here, but the rich buttery oak character dominates the palate. This beer is so rich and full, really a meal in a glass, it took me a while to chew my way through this beer, which was perfect for my last beer of the night.

Serving type: bottle

10-10-2005 18:03:27 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

4.43/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2009 release poured from a 12oz bottle into a US tumbler pint glass.

A: The beer is a deep black color, with a short brown head that fades slowly and leaves a thick lace on the glass.

S: The aroma contains bourbon, roasted malts, chocolate, coffee and a touch of alcohol.

T: The taste starts out with a very thick roasted malt character and a strong flavor of chocolate. Then the taste of bourbon barrel aging asserts itself along with a mild alcohol sting. There are background flavors of coffee and dark fruit. The after-taste is sweet.

M: Very smooth and a little crisp but extremely viscous, as heavy body as I've ever experienced in a beer, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Very tasty, goes down quite easily, slightly filling, very strong kick, excellent representation of style, this is a very good big stout worth drinking for as long as you can handle it.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2011 04:07:07 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This poured out as a deep looking black color with a thin tan head on top that quickly disappears. There is no lacing on this brew either. The smell of the beer has a really nice roasted malt profile with an intense about of barrel aged bourbon-like aromas. The taste is sweet upfront that then switches over to a slightly smoked flavor with a chocolatey bitterness in the finish. The mouthfeel of the beer is really smooth, lightly carbonated and goes down really easy. There is a bit of booze heat in there as well. Overall this beer is really nice, glad I finally got to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

09-30-2012 14:38:35 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

4.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

This 2006 bottle is courtesy of BARLEYWINEO

Pours (into a snifter) pitch black with one finger of mocha colored head that rapidly drops away. Some lacing & zero head retention

S: Bourbon, raisins vanilla & dark chocolate

T: Rich chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, raisins & a little booze up front. Dryness, molasses & charred oak show themselves as this warms up. Finishes oaky, with loads of chocolate, a whisper of booze, vanilla, raisins & molasses

MF: Rich, sticky, oily, chewy & slick with almost no carbonation

Drinks great for the abv, but more than 2 & I think I'd need a nap. One of the better double stouts out there IMO

Serving type: bottle

08-09-2007 03:23:43 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

4.68/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Year old bottle.

Drizzles into a wide chalice, poured very slowly, intentionally trying to create some foam. It works, some irregular bubbles stretch over the surface, that slowly succumb to the strength of the stout. A ring of milk chocolate froth clings to the rim of the glass. Served at a cool cellar temp.

Whiff of mild vanilla, and a hint of bourbon. Mysteriously, the aroma hides the onslaught of flavor that will roll out soon after. First sip is a slow burst of chocolate, vanilla, oak, and of course, bourbon. The barrel aging and cellaring has melded this stout symbiotically with bourbon in an unbelievable way. Alcohol has mellowed with time, which furthers the drinkability aspect. Bittersweet chocolate and coffee hang on the palate in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel is silky, infinitely smooth and rich.
This is a rare treat.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2006 03:01:15 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

4.72/5  rDev +4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12 oz. bottle, 2007 Edition, consumed Feb. 4, 2008, 13% alc.

A: Pours a motor oil black, with a small thin tan head, which surprisingly stays around for a long time, though it looks kind of flat on the first pour.

S: Smells like a shot of whiskey, without all the heavy alcohol, you get the richness of the wood odour and the vanilla.

T: Heavy bourbon on the first sip, probably the most bourbon dominated strong stout I have ever had, much more than Firestone 11 or Angel's Share. Vanilla bean, caramel, molasses there as well. Some coffee and roasted malt flavours too, but they are light compared with the whiskey which dominates the flavour.

M: Endlessly smooth and rich, not cloying at all in its sweetness, one of the most full-bodied beers ever.

D: A fantastic brewing and aging accomplishment, very tasty stuff, but it's definitely a sipper, a beer you should take your time with to fully enjoy.

Edit - Having an '08 on 2/13/10, the flavour is just nuts. Huge whiskey/vanilla, dark roasted malts with an elegant alcoholic, but not boozy mouthfeel. Editing taste from a 4.5 to a 5. What is it with me and early February and BCS?

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2008 20:05:33 | More by Halcyondays

Gavage

New Jersey

4.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: black in color with a thin dark brown 1/2" head that broke apart quickly.

Smell: loads of roasted tones, dark chocolate, some coffee, vanilla, and bourbon come through to the nose.

Taste: deep roasted malt flavor with dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, soft coffee tones, and a very mild bourbon flavor. Alcohol is noticeable and warming. Bitterness is nicely balancing but not too impacting on other flavors.

Mouthfeel: heavy in body. Smooth from start to finish with some dryness late. Aftertaste is long lasting. There is a bit of a velvety feel on the tongue too.

Overall: this one was very smooth and dangerously easy to drink. Great balanced flavor and as it warms the flavors really come through. Great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 17:36:03 | More by Gavage

jwc215

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Thanks to PhxHorn for this one!

Pours black with a thin swirl that lasts. Not much "lacing", but "legs" stick.

The smell is of chocolate, some licorice and vanilla/bourbon.

The taste is of chocolate, licorice, with a vanilla sweetness from the bourbon. A pleasant bourbon character is there - strong enough to enjoy while not overpowering the delicious imp. stout character. It finishes with a woody dryness.

The feel is silky smooth. Full-bodied without being thick or too syrupy.

I would love to give "drinkability" a higher score, but the alcohol does show (though reasonably incorporated for the abv) on this potent sipper. This is a 2008 vintage - enjoyed very much. Would love to see how this baby turns out after aging (too bad it's not distributed around here). If you have the good fortune of having this in your area, grab some!

Great imp. stout with a nice bourbon character!

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2009 21:39:15 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Vintage 2007, 13% abv.

Easily the smoothest, tastiest ~13% beer I've ever had. Yes, it's a bit thick, but no more so than weaker double or imperial stouts. The aroma is rich with the bourbon which once on the palate, doesn't dominate, but compliments the strong, dark chocolate ad espresso flavors. Throw in a dash of oak and vanilla and you've got a hell of a beer. More please.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2007 22:18:28 | More by tempest

akorsak

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A 12 oz bottle from a trade with mmcave.

A: The ale pours a nice thick blackness. As I examine it closer, it looks more dark brown. On pour, there is little carbonation and the stout settles to a mere off-white ring around the edge of the glass.

S: The aroma is a well-balanced combination of roasted chocolate and sweet bourbon. When well-mixed, the bourbon aroma is absolutely intoxicating (see my review of bottled Curieux).

T: This stout accepts the responsibility that comes with the name bourbon! The first sensations to register on the tongue are sickly sweet bourbon notes, some vanilla, brown sugar and butter flavors all shine. The stout is fully enveloped by the bourbon character, allowing those flavors to run the gamut from start to finish. I struggle to find any roasted, chocolatey malt body, but the fantastic bourbon character steals the limelight.

M: The bourbon character is well done here, imparting some nice flavors that I think could overpower something less powerful than a double stout.

D: The 11% abv is a whopper, but the buttery sweet bourbon flavors are wonderful. This is an excellent night cap.

Serving type: bottle

01-15-2007 03:16:55 | More by akorsak

WVbeergeek

Ohio

4/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Appears opaque black burnt malt color forms an oozing tan chocolate head leaves fine specks of lacing after the oil like pour. Aroma is primarily charred oak vanilla with dark chocolate whiskey barrel aging is here on multiple levels vinous fruit alcohol almost takes out some un needed nose hairs. Flavor is big almost too big half the bottle is an ample serving size for me the vanilla charred oak tone is great in moderation dark chocolate and espresso coffee with leafy tobacco like edge to it all with fusel alcohol finish it doesn't hide the fact that it's 11% alcohol by volume very well. Mouthfeel has a Chewy texture low carbontion as it warms it's a bit cloying on the palate. Drinkabiliy is limited for me, it challenges the senses but sessionability is key sometimes if looking for an extreme barrel aged creation you have found a full flavored one.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2006 22:30:15 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I pop the cap and a whiff of mystery just hits my nose, and the bottle is a foot from my face. Pours pitch black with just a very small amount of tan head on the top. Nose hints of vanilla. A nice little tease for the senses really. Flavor is thick and complex. Vanilla, thick malts, and a load of body just come together. Thick liquid feel and a low carbonation still feel nice. Drinkable? This is more an interesting sipper. Something to ponder, and probably something that could use a few more years to mellow and chill.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2008 06:56:44 | More by RblWthACoz

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.22/5  rDev -7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured a jet black with a dirty white head. Nose was heavy bourbon as was the taste. I did not notice much other than bourbon on this brew. It was good but expected a more robust flavor. The ABV was very well masked. Burbon dominance. A good brew but I actually wanted more vanilla, oak, cocoa and everything else. Maybe I missed somethng. It takes more than bourbon to make a grwat beer these days.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2008 06:05:25 | More by barleywinefiend

smcolw

Massachusetts

3.58/5  rDev -21.1%
look: 2 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

I'm unimpressed with this beer's look: Even with a violent pour, there is nearly no head. And what's there, dies to a single layer of minute bubbles on the edge. Nearly black in color, no light shines through (even on the edges).

Strong alcohol smells of sherry and port. Sweet and rich to the nose, almost as if there's an apertif added to this beer.

It tastes like a port-induced dark beer. It doesn't have the typical stout flavors of coffee and chocolate. Lots of sweet plum (like Japanese plum wine) and no bitterness. The swallow and aftertaste shows off the high alcohol content--very warming to the tongue and stomach. Rich like cream in the body, almost oily. Very low carbonation.

This is an after-dinner sipping beer. I believe it is closer to taste and feel to an overpowered barley wine. It's like no other stout I've ever had. All this said, it's very tasty but not for the faint of heart. Worth seeking out for the unusual flavors present.

Serving type: bottle

04-04-2010 22:46:25 | More by smcolw

Wasatch

Utah

4.83/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Fuckn' Asshole website deleted my 2006 review.

Thanks to beerwolf77 for this brew.

2009 Vintage
Bottled On: 11/12/09

Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tannish head, oil slicks and minimal sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is sweet/roasted/malts, slight alcohol, nice bourbon/oak note, toffee/chocolate/coffee. The taste is absolutely delicious, slightly sweet, roasted malts, vanilla, nice oaky taste, tons of toffee/chocolate/coffee, a slight dry finish. Alcohol gives a great warming feeling. Full/Medium body, a very nice smooth/silky brew, ABV hidden very well, for a brew this high in ABV. Very drinkable, an awesome Imperial Stout from GI, highly recommended. Thanks Todd for the new version.

Thanks to msubulldog25 for this brew.

2006 Vintage

Poured into a chalice a very nice black color, nice carbonation, nice little fizzy tannish head, oil slicks and minimal sticky lacing around the edges. The nose is sweet/roasted/malts, slight alcohol, nice bourbon/oak note, toffee/chocolate/coffee. The taste is absolutely delicious, slightly sweet, roasted malts, vanilla, nice oaky taste, tons of toffee/chocolate/coffee, a slight dry finish. Alcohol gives a great warming feeling. Medium body, a very nice smooth/silky brew, ABV hidden very well. Very drinkable, an awesome ADS from GI, highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

06-08-2007 00:33:19 | More by Wasatch

jdhilt

New Hampshire

4.47/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 Vintage. Pours a one finger brown head that quickly fades to a ring, leaving traces of lace. Black color no highlights. Light carbonation and heavy bodied. Bourbon and alcohol nose. Flavor is bourbon, molasses and some alcohol. Pricey at $6.30 for a 12oz bottle from Colonial Spirits Acton, Ma.

Serving type: bottle

10-18-2010 22:50:25 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.33/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

served in a large brandy snifter

A-Jet black color with a cinnamon brown head that quickly fades from a thin film to a line around the glass edge.

S- Roast malts with coffee and just a bit of prune and a faint bit of leather give this beer a bold nose.

T- A big burnt maltyness with some chocolate notes and a big finish of hops and alcoholic warmth. After a few sips I start to pick up a hint of vanilla and a bit of oakiness. The favor is big and bold but has some nice complexity.

M- This has a big body and is sweet and think on the lips and tongue. no carbonation is felt in the mouthfeel and its not really very hot in the mouthfeel.


D- This is a big chewy heavy stout with the alcohol, hops and roastiness to handle the conditioning in bourbon barrels. I nice beer but not one I could sit down and drink a 4 pack. I find myself drink water in between sips, this is beers version of port.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2005 04:26:43 | More by rhoadsrage

Billolick

New York

4.33/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This is one of the thickest, richest and tastiest stouts I've ever tried. If you like em "dark and sludgy" this one will do it for you. Pours black, with minor dark tan head. Little lacing. Nose of brandy, chocolate and burnt malts. Bold char broiled flavors abound, whiskey soaked raisins, dark chocolate, a double black expresso tossed in, some vanilla, oak and more chocolate late,sheesh, can you say complexity?!? Very thick, super bad dark flavors. Meta winter sipper. Not for the faint of heart or those not into super bold dark beers. Goose Island continues to impress. The arrival of their beers in the NYC area this fall and winter has been the highlight of the local beer scene, IMHO

Serving type: bottle

12-22-2005 00:13:07 | More by Billolick

mdfb79

New York

4.65/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz. bottle into a pint glass.

Thanks to Lunch for throwing this in as an extra in our trade!

a - Pours a very dark black, not letting in any light. Little carbonation and a little bit of a brown colored head that lasts for about a minute.

s - Wow, smells amazing. Lots of bourbon here, also a wood smell. A hint of chocolate as well.

t - Tastes just like it smells; delicious. A great bourbon taste, with caramel and a little bit of chocolate as well. Also taste the oak a bit.

m - Smooth and creamy, thick body, small amount of carbonation.

d - I really enjoyed this beer. It's one of the better bourbon stouts I've had and if you are a fan of whiskey like me, this is a definite must-try. Because of the 13% ABV I wouldn't drink too many at once but it sure tastes great.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2010 00:33:30 | More by mdfb79

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Had the 08 and 07 and loved both. Now I get to try the 09 and finally review it. Got this one in a very quick and great trade by Lunch.

A: Screw top, really guys?! Pours with almost no head, a few bubbles here and there, but so goes the style. But the head that does come rings around the sides of the glass and leaves a lacing. The pitch black color gives midnight a bad name. I think I feel the souls of mortals all around being sucked into this pit of darkness and light void. Even at the very bottom where it thins, no light escapes and I think it was born from Nazgul!

N: Well it starts off with a very light NOTHING. It actually starts with heavy bourbon and oak. A sweet oaky bourbon aroma just dances out of the glass and gently bashes the heck out of your nose! This is followed by some rich dark stout malts, some roasted, some chocolate, then some sweet caramel. A touch of vanilla rounds it off to an overall awesomeness that smells better than, ummm, something that smells great. A touch of alcohol comes out as the glass warms.

T: Super rich thickness that makes crude oil blush. It's thicker than my boss (just kidding), and richer than Bill Gates. A luscious sweet malt flavor starts to grow, but is battled back by more heavy oak and bourbon flavors. A touch of dark fruit comes through, but barely. Then comes some more sweet caramel and perhaps molasses. Another wave of chocolate hits with a slight creamy flavor accompanied by vanilla and more caramel. Think everything sweet that tastes awesome and throw it together in one glass. A touch of alcohol flavor, but barely. This this is dangerous being 13% and drinks like 8-9%.

M: Very little carbonation, but so thick I think it's absorbing my mouth into it to become one entity. Very velvety smooth and heavy. Still rich and smooth. A little bit of alcohol burn and warmth but barely.

F: Still pretty sweet and super thick. It never really leaves as it leaves a huge thick coat on the mouth. It leaves a new layer like my body created a new layer of skin, but only super thick beer. A slight lingering bourbon flavor, but it's mostly the chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. The crazy dark heavy richness of this makes Ozzy look like a church. OK, enough with the bad reference, but this beer is ridiculously thick and luscious, as well as delicious! Thanks again Paul.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2009 01:58:42 | More by jlindros

ppoitras

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle from Secret Santa jay23. Thanks for the opportunity.

Poured into a heavy glass chalice, formed a skim of dark brown bubbles above the opaque dark brown/black brew. Bubbles mostly head for the rim, with fleeting lace. Aroma is heavy dark grain sweetness, with alcohol noticeable. Taste is super rich chocolatey sweetness, with a tinge of dark fruits in the middle, and partially submerged alcohol in the close and aftertaste, which warms the soul. Mouthfeel is smooth, creamy, yet chewy, and drinkability is slow, but everything makes you want to come back for more when you can. A decadent pleasure.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2007 02:40:00 | More by ppoitras

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.63/5  rDev +2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to kmpitz2 & TAR for this...
Appears black with a bubbly 2 finger tan head that quickly fades into a small collar. No lacing is left behind that there is little head retention.
Smell is of subdued candied bourbon & American oak & rich caramel vanilla, bitter chocolate, raisins melted into a rich, sugary syrup, and perhaps a rich cherimoya sorbet in there as well. Obviously complex!
Taste is of the same aromas...left in the barrel just the right amount of time.
Mouthfeel is chewy, caramely sweet, smooth, slightly fizzy on the swallow with an alcohol burn. The ABV is evident before it even reaches the mouth. It almost burns the eyes as the glass approaches the nose and mouth.
Drinkability is very candy like and addictive with intense flavors. ABV is there but it is very delicious. One bottle is enough to do the job for the night. Savor every last drop of this!

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2006 01:38:56 | More by weeare138

Zorro

California

4.88/5  rDev +7.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Sampled due to beerhandy and Blue Max BIF.

This pours as a thick and deeply red and brown colored beer that turns to black once it actually settles in the glass. A small reddish brown head forms and then disappears.

Intense Bourbon barrel aroma. I clearly smell this and it is sitting on a table 3 feet away from my nose. The smell is rich and sweet and very strongly of vanilla and whiskey. Caramel, toffee and chocolate mocha all are very strong in this. Very much a bourbon barrel beer.

Taste is sweet and a little bitter and intense with the flavors of vanilla and caramel in the first sip. Thick and intense, the whiskey and chocolate fight it out here to be the stronger flavor. After a while black licorice makes an appearance in the taste. An incredible ale. I quickly don't care WHAT the individual flavors are in this; I just want LOTS more of this stuff.

Mouthfeel is chocolate Milkshake.

Real hard to be objective about this beer it is just REALLY damn good. If you dislike thick beers and the taste of Bourbon you will absolutely HATE this beer. I myself LOVE this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2006 06:59:34 | More by Zorro

Kegatron

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev -2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle into a snifter. 2007 release.

Pours black as an oil slick with a 1/2 finger of burnt mocha colored head. This eventually fizzles out into a still, dead looking black surface that reminds of the lifeless eyes of a Great White shark. Lacing is relegated to a spotty smattering at first and then eventually a fantastic looking oily brown residue that coats the side of the glass. The aroma is OMG! huge bourbon notes straight up my nose and other places.. Aaaaargh! I've never had a beer burn my eyeballs before! In all seriousness, the bourbon notes do absolutely dominate the nose but somehow I can still pick up some of the Stout notes, including chocolate, smoke, roast, and char.

The taste is just as boozy with bourbon notes as the aroma and it's no wonder that I put it in a snifter. Overpowering notes of oak and vanilla mingle with the molassass, roasted malts, chocolate, espresso, smoke, and soy sauce character of the Stout. There's a ton in there but it's all just a bit unbalanced towards the bourbon side right now. The mouthfeel is right up there with the deepest for me (Dark Lord & Expedition)and is just absolutely thick and chewy as can be. That 13% is present but gives off more warmth than it does heat and combines with the bourbon notes to finish things with a bit of a hot punch.

Wow! This is just a beast of a beer in every capacity. Huge bourbon? Huge Stout flavors? Huge alcohol? Check! Check! and Check! My only gripe with this beer is that right now, the bourbon overrides some of those wonderful Stout characteristics a little too much. I'm most definitley looking forward to aging a bottle of this for a year and revistiing it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2008 16:44:14 | More by Kegatron

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

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

Worth every penny. Pours a deep opaque black, no light penetrates, super thick, small tan head forms, leaves pretty quick but settles to a ring that lasts the glass, nice lacing and legs. Smell is huge, vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cherries, tobacco, bourbon, oak, toffee, and rum raisins, alcohol doesn't really come out here, super complex. Taste is chocolate, coffee, real roasty, with faint bourbon notes, lots of vanilla and oak, toffee, maple syrup, and a roasted chocolate bitter finish. Mouthfeel is super thick, very full bodied, with medium to low carbonation. Drinkability is pretty low simply because its thick as hell, although great. I though it was similar in complexity to Bells Batch 7000, smell/taste seemed to constantly be changing. Amazing stout, aged for 100 days in Bourbon barrels, but the Bourbon was held in check and worked very nicely. Fantastic.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2005 09:13:40 | More by Viggo