Dark Horse Bourbon Barrel Aged Plead The 5th - Dark Horse Brewing Company

Davihaw

Illinois

4.55/5  rDev -0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

1st Beer Review Ever! So let's see how this goes.

I had this on tap in a 11.5oz snifter at Kalamazoo Beer Exchange during a Dark Horse Tap Takeover.

A: Arrived to my table with a finger of head on it that was the color of foamy soil. The body of the beer was black like motor oil and I could see the carbonation in it. Light lacing as head went down.

S: I noticed the chocolate malt smell right off the bat mixed with the bourbon smell. It did have a boozy smell the emptier my glass got. A light dried fruit smell accompanied the smell of bourbon and chocolate malt.

T: Roasted malts with chocolate are very noticeable instantly. On the third sip the rest of the flavors began shining through and had hints of dried fruit and toffee. The bourbon flavor is very present throughout. The booze is pretty hidden but at times is present.

M: Thick and creamy. The carbonation was just right.

O: This is a great BA stout that improves greatly upon its base beer. While it is a great beer, it does not quite stack up against others in the upper echelon of BA stouts. Very solid but do not trade away the cellar for it.

Serving type: on-tap

01-13-2013 16:29:20 | More by Davihaw

deebo

Minnesota

4.78/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

2011 version on tap at The Happy Gnome

A-Black as night with a skimming of dark tan head which leaves some lacing as you drink.

S-Dominant aromas of bourbon, earthy oak, and heavily toasted malt. Also plenty of whiffs remniscent of sweet aromas vanilla and burnt sugar. The aromas really come out nicely as the beer warms.

T-Similar to the aroma but more layers and really nice complexity. Bourbon upfront, the oak and earthy aromas are quite present and really pleasing. I don't think I've noticed this quality as strong in any other BB RIS. Plenty of sweet, dark malt. Hints of bitterness but really mild for some of the chocolate and coffee like tastes detected. The sweet tastes of burnt sugar and vanilla really balance out the heavy characteristics.

M-The mouthfeel is wonderful. My biggest complaint of most BB RIS is the syrupy, cloying and or alcoholic burn qualities. This one has none of the above and at a reported ABV of 14% it is absolutely world class. I've had 5%+ beers have more alcoholic sting than this baby. Body is heavy yet clean and almost crisp, a bitterness that is there but not at all lingering, this baby is smooth.

O-I was hesitant to get this on a hot day but had not had the pleasure before so had to brave the heat to try this, very glad that I did. This is a winner, now I have another beer that I have to add to the hit list to try to get every year.

Serving type: on-tap

09-05-2012 04:56:40 | More by deebo

MattyG85

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2011 Vintage on tap at The Happy Gnome in St. Paul, Minnesota. 10 oz. pour served in a New Belgium Globe glass.

Appearance: Color is an oily pitch black with a moderate amount of bubbles. About one finger of deep tan head which fades into a thin patchy layer. Leaves a good amount of lacing around the glass.

Smell: Smells very big, rich, and fairly sweet. Nice scent of bourbon with good hints of vanilla, wood, and oak chips. Big dark malts with big hints of chocolate, coffee, molasses, maple syrup, burnt caramel, toffee, and dark bread. A little bit of smokey roast. A scent of alcohol is present but it blends in well with the dark sweetness. The vanilla and chocolate really stands out. Very rich and good aroma.

Taste: As good as the aroma leads, Big taste of bourbon upfront with some good notes of vanilla, oak, and wood cask. Rich and sweet dark roasted malts with big notes of dark chocolate, bitter coffee, maple syrup, molasses, burnt toast, caramel, toffee, butterscotch, and a little bit of smoke. Some alcohol heat is tasted but not as overwhelming as one might expect. Good balance of sweetness from the vanilla and chocolate, with the bitter roast. Really great taste here.

Mouthfeel: A rich and heavy body with a moderate amount of carbonation. Creamy and fairly syrupy and creamy. Sweet but far from cloying. Smoother than expected at 14%.

Overall: A really great Barrel Aged Imperial Stout. Big, rich, and dark while keeping the sweetness and booze taste under control.

Serving type: on-tap

09-04-2012 22:57:13 | More by MattyG85

thebigredone

Wisconsin

5/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Finding this beer on tap the one time I stopped by Dark Horse on a random April day completely made my vacation.

I'll skip to overall impressions. This will be the barrel aged stout by which I judge all other barrel aged stouts, and they will all fall short. This beer was perfect, a fantastic blend of bourbon and dark chocolatey stout, with a thick, creamy mouthfeel. I honestly don't think it could be improved upon. 5 out of 5. Well done Dark Horse, I tip my hat to you.

Serving type: on-tap

08-08-2012 00:03:32 | More by thebigredone

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.38/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

First had: on tap at Hawthorne's, Philly, PA

This guy eluded me for a while, but I finally caught it at Hawthorne's. Served in a Chimay chalice, I can't imagine a better looking beer: thick, dark black like motor oil, capped with a creamy dark chocolate head that quickly sank to a ringlet of bubbles. Maybe a little more retention would've been nice, but I didn't expect much from such a high octane beer. Aroma of dark malts, moderately roasty, dark chocolate, heavy bourbon. Dark sweet malts in the taste, chocolate chips, toasted marshmallow, heavy yet smooth bourbon with notes of vanilla and oak. Full body, creamy and delicious, a great sipper. Not quite as smooth as a nicely aged BCBS, but a great brew nonetheless.

Serving type: on-tap

06-10-2012 01:51:07 | More by Rifugium

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.53/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: dark black with a thin brown head. Delicious and thick looking.

S: caramel, bourbon, roasted malt, and done dark fruits?

T: huge bitter dark malt flavor with all of the bourbon, oak, and slight sweetness.

M: this is thick and rich, but has nice carbonation as well.

O: great beer. Worth tracking down. It's darkness and huge roasted and bitter flavors make it stand out from other bourbon barrel stouts. This is still very much a stout.

Serving type: on-tap

06-09-2012 20:53:14 | More by Holland

JDizzle

Indiana

4.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured into a goblet at the brewery.

I feel lucky to have come across this!!!

It's black as night with a thin cocoa brown head.

Smells like a huge RIS with a nice bourbon scent. It's actually pretty strong- more comes out as it warms. You can smell that it has the potential to be HOT.

Pure bliss!! Great bourbon flavor hits you right away. Really outstanding compared to Plead the 5th. Really oaky, roasted malt, fairly hot-as expected for a 14% beer. There is a good amount of coffee on the finish as well.

Mouthfeel is dry, slick, with low carbonation.

This is a beer I will try and seek out anywhere on tap again. IMO, it's much better than Bells Black Note and KBS, and that is saying a lot!!

Serving type: on-tap

04-11-2012 16:08:12 | More by JDizzle

indytdmiller

Indiana

5/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Was fortunate enough to have this beer on tap at the brewery for St. Paddy's Day (my one and only beer, so read on with confidence). Plead the Fifth is in my opinion one of the best imperial stouts out there, including all of the barrel-aged beers. So when I saw that they were pulling out a Bourbon barrel-aged version, I jumped at the opportunity to try it!

Appearance
Black (surprise) with a tan head that did not linger too long. nice lacing.

Aroma
Dark chocolates, coffee roastiness, BOURBON, vanilla.

Taste
That delicious Plead the Fifth base (Roasted coffee, and bitter chocolate) with a great dose of vanilla and bourbon with that oaky finish. Really good!

Mouthfeel
Nice and heavy, but not so much that you feel like you need to chew. Carries the flavors well. Nicely lightly carbonated and the perfect temp.

Overall
This may be the best beer I have had the opportunity to taste, especially when you consider that it was this year's release and would more than likely get even better with another year or two!

Serving type: on-tap

03-27-2012 15:14:55 | More by indytdmiller

PittBeerGirl

Pennsylvania

4.58/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On-tap at dark horse 12/27/11

A- Dark motor oil black body. No light passes through. Served with maybe a thin collar. The thin collar is a dark tan hue. Fades within 15 min and no lacing is left behind in the glas.

S- When you smell this you know that it is quality and something special. Very complex nose. The bourbon is stronggest, but underneath is an even balance of anise, oak barrel, chocolate, currants.

T- The flavor is very similar to the nose. Upfront is some bourbon sweetness, chocolate, anise, and a big chocolate malt background with some oak balance. Some bourbon heat comes through for the finish but otherwise the finish is consistent with the initial flavor.

M- Low to medium carbonatio and a thick, creamy, yet woody stout body.

O- This is a very special beer. It drinks like a 9-10% when its really 14-15%. The Russian Imperial Stout quality and the Bourbon Quality are equal here. Something that is rare in a BBA stout-and the fruit is perfect not over or underripe.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2011 03:05:50 | More by PittBeerGirl

orangesol

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Served on-tap at Capone's on Black Friday. First beer of the day...

A - Pours dark as night black with a small, creamy, one finger tall tan head leaving small streaks of lace down the glass.

S - Smells of warm bourbon, brown sugar, vanilla, chocolate, charred wood, and the ever present dark roasted malt. The booze is big up front but the other flavors grow stronger as it warms.

T - Fairly similar to the nose. Hints of vanilla, chocolate, brown sugar, dry oak tannins, and a big dose of booze at the end of each sip. Pretty sweet initially but it gets better as it warms up. It has a ton of flavor but it remains easy to drink.

M - Heavy body and flavor with moderate carbonation. Sweet, boozy, feel that clings to the pallet long after each sip. It developed a little bit of a chalky feel toward the end of the glass..

O - Overall a very good barrel aged stout. It was a little bit out of balance but I had no problem finishing my glass. Glad I finally got to try it.

Serving type: on-tap

11-30-2011 03:33:44 | More by orangesol

callmemickey

Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Capone's Black Friday 2011:

A: Black body. Moderate khaki cap. Spotty lacing.

S: Profound bourbon up front with all of the accompanying aromas of wood and vanilla. Dark chocolate and hints of burnt sugar.

T: Like the nose, this has a strong bourbon component. It isn't overbearing, however. Roasted malts, chocolate and brown sugar round out the profile.

M" Medium bodied, perhaps a little thin in the back end. Moderate carbonation.

O: A very good bourbon barrel stout, but not my favorite option.

Serving type: on-tap

11-28-2011 01:27:25 | More by callmemickey

ShanePB

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Served on-tap at Capone's Restaurant for the Black Friday event. Poured into a miniature 5 oz snifter.

A: Deep black body with a bubbly, creamy brown/mahogany head. Moderate amounts of sticky lacing with thick bubbles around the rim. No retention in the center but this is a wonderful looking beer.

S: Loads of matured bourbon, wood, spice, vanilla, maple syrup and hints of pepper. Huge dark rich chocolate malts come through towards the back end. An absolutely incredible display of flavors, exactly what a BA Imperial Stout should smell like. Simply divine.

T: Front of the palate is warming rich bourbon, tobacco, toffee, vanilla and chocolate chip cookie is mid-palate. Finishing are some more wonderful dark malts and a hint of leather. It's not unnaturally sweet but has a some to it; more liquor on the back end. Crazy drinkable, wonderfully complex and seriously delicious.

M: A bit lighter on the body than I'd anticipate but still retains a nice fullness to it. Sticky, rich and a bit of booze going down. Fairly carbonated yet creamy.

Honestly, this has to be one of the absolute best bourbon barrel aged Imperial Stouts I've had to date. The intensity and complexity of the flavors in this beer are missing in so many others in the style. You've got to like, or love, bourbon to enjoy this beer. It's nearly perfect.

Serving type: on-tap

11-26-2011 14:37:32 | More by ShanePB

Retail1LO

Pennsylvania

4.6/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured on tap at Capone's Black Friday event. 5 oz. snifter.
Pours jet black with a thin coffee rim. The nose is a lovely blend of bourbon, vanilla, coffee, and a bit of cocoa. The taste is a perfect meld of the bourbon, sweet vanilla, toffee, and a bit of cherry. The mouthfeel is smooth as silk. Doesn't get much better than this. Has a slightly bittersweet finish that lingers for a short while. This kicked in 40 minutes. A real privilege to try this.

Serving type: on-tap

11-25-2011 13:41:47 | More by Retail1LO

JLDyer

Michigan

4.93/5  rDev +7.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A very good example of the style. Chocolate and licorice sit fairly thick on the tongue then changes to hints of spices at the finish. Very smooth with no bite or sense of the high alcohol content. Pairs well with beef and sharp cheddar cheese. I have had this from the tap at the brewery every time it is on the tap list, which is not very often. One of my very favorite beers.

Serving type: on-tap

11-20-2011 21:41:46 | More by JLDyer

sarro

Michigan

4.88/5  rDev +6.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Reviewed from tap at Detroit Fall beer fest.

This is the 6th time I've had this beer (4 on tap, two from bottle (and no infections like the mislabeled Aigre bottle review below))

Looks jet black with a dark brown head. Smell's of bourbon, roast, light coffee & malt. Taste is an incredible wave of bourbon soaked dark chocolate rounded out by a thick malty backbone. Not too sweet & finishes dry & a bit boozy (think 2009 BCS). Full mouth feel, perfectly carbonated and not syrupy like most other stouts/beers of this ABV. One of my top 3 favorite stouts.
An incredible bourbon barrel aged stout to say the least.

Serving type: on-tap

10-24-2011 14:41:48 | More by sarro

kbutler1

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -12.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Draft. Sampled at Great Taste. Pours a pitch black brown/black color with a slight mocha bronw head. The barrel and booze is pretty evident in the nose along with the normal imp stout characteristics of dark chocolate and some leather. The booze is pretty in your face to me on this one with it being the first thing I notice upon tasting, followed by the barrel, dark chocolate, and slight leather. Medium mouthfeel. Overall, I thought it a tad hot but otherwise pretty drinkable.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2011 15:39:33 | More by kbutler1

camil1mj

Michigan

4.83/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap at the Detroit Fall Beer Fest. My wife got a pour so that I could have a full cup.

A: Deep, dark stout with reddish/brown head.

S: Wonderful bourbon tones with chocolate, roastiness taking a backseat.

T: Bourbon forward. Followed up by chocolate, roasted stouts notes. Perfect.

M: creamy. Smooth. Full-bodied. Appropriately carbonated.

O: Best at the beerfest. I understand the hype. Beats out the Blacknote.

Serving type: on-tap

10-23-2011 00:06:51 | More by camil1mj

Chriscrundwell12

Minnesota

4.53/5  rDev -1.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Poured on tap at the Great taste of the Midwest 2011. 5 oz pour into a tasting glass.

A- Pours a dark black color, with ½ finger to one finger brown head that dissipates quickly. Moderate lacing on the sides of the glass.
S- The aroma is awesome, big bourbon aroma, roasted malts, some chocolate and molasses notes, dark fruits (raisins, plums).
T- Big bourbon flavor but not overpowering, roasted malts, nice chocolate flavor, raisins, molasses, a bit warming as it goes down but not too much. Nice oak from the barrels adds a nice quality to this beer.
M- Big mouth feel, warm as it goes down, smooth and creamy on the finish.
O- Loved it, got to the line early enough to be one of the first to try it, quality Barrel Aged stout that is very drinkable for how high the abv, very happy I was able to drink this.

Serving type: on-tap

08-17-2011 02:44:09 | More by Chriscrundwell12

tmoneyba

Ohio

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

Poured a black color with an average creamy brown head that mostly lasted and produced excellent lacing. Heavy toasted malt, bourbon and chocolate aroma. Full body with a smooth texture and flat carbonation. Moderate to heavy complex toasted sweet bourbon flavor with a heavy toasted sweet finish of long duration. Best of fest complex standout brew.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2011 23:59:01 | More by tmoneyba

mfunk9786

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

WOW. Had on tap at Capone's during PBW. The unexpected star of my day.

This beer is perfectly balanced. Pours extremely dark, smells of vanilla bean, bourbon, and rich dark chocolate with a hint of the usual bitter stout trappings (licorice, anise, etc) which just add depth. The taste is more of the same, with a huge vanilla bean and dark fruit flavor that is nothing short of incredible. This beer is worthy of the hype on this site and I'd love to see it become a standard in bottles.

Serving type: on-tap

06-17-2011 02:51:06 | More by mfunk9786

Alpar

Minnesota

4.9/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Had on tap at Sugar Maple, what a fantastic surprise :)

A: Dark with a perfect level of carbonation that sticks around for a while.

S: Bourbon, malt, bread, vanilla, charred oak and a minute amount of anise.

T: Vanilla bourbon BOMB, awesome! Very smooth bourbon flavor. It tastes like marshmallows :) Reminds me of Vanilla Bean Dark Lord! I gwt some of the oak, malt and bread on the aftertaste, this is beautiful.

M: Surprisingly thin, but works to the beers advantage. I think it is perfect.

O: This is stellar. I hope I can get to the release of this beer if there is one in the future. Simply outstanding!

Serving type: on-tap

06-16-2011 02:02:42 | More by Alpar

smokeypeat

Maryland

4.8/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Finally got to try this at Capone's for the end of PBW. Poured into a snifter the chocolate brown head dissipated quickly leaving no head to speak of, but major alcohol legs were present with each swirl of the glass. Smell on this was great. I must have looked like a junkie with the deep inhales I kept finding myself taking. Lots of deep roast espresso, dark chocolate, bourbon, and vanilla. Taste was even better. The integration of the bourbon into the base beer was exceptionally well done. This beer was exceptionally well balanced with great bourbon flavors present, but at no point did it overwhelm the stout. Nice coffee, roasted malt, and smooth bourbon on the tongue, with a great charred oak character right there. Vanilla became ever more present as the glass warmed up. I also got a hint of campfire type marshmallow. All of this had a great coating effect on the palate. I could drink this all the time. Definitely worthy of seeking out, and making efforts to go to tasting events to get a chance to try. Highly Recommended!

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 23:58:12 | More by smokeypeat

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.47/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On tap, the 2009 vintage, 12ish%

Black with a dark brown head that has surprisingly poor retention or lacing, given the base beer. Still, this does look great, and has nice legs. The nose reminds me of dark lord. Big licorice and molasses mildly soy like even, with a big barrel character. Beautiful vanilla and oak with some tannins. Plenty of dark chocolate and dark caramel. Great nose, I almost want to give it a 5

The palate opens with a big boozy heat and plenty of bourbon working well with the chocolate and licorice. Plenty of malt and licorice bitterness as well. Thick chewy and boozy, this beer is sweet and hot on the finish with nice chocolate and vanilla. This is one of those few beers where the heat is well-incorporated in the flavor profile, mostly thanks to the huge body .Not as much soy on the palate, as the nose might suggest. A little overcarbonated, though, but that's personal preference. Letting it warm up and flatten out reveals how awesome this beer is.

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 13:03:14 | More by DefenCorps

philbe311

Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Slight medium brown colored head quickly fades leaving just a thin collar around the glass... Slightly menacing black color... Minimal carbonation...

S - Lots of roasted malts... Vanilla... Smoke... Some dark chocolate... The scent of the bourbon barrel is present, but far from overpowering... It adds nicely to the overall aroma...

T - Fudgie brownies... Dark fruit... Roasted malts... A touch of smokiness... The bourbon continues to take prominence as this one warms a bit, but never overwhelms...

M - Full bodied... Thick... Slightly viscous... Subtle carbonation... Sleek... Silky smooth...

D - This one isn't for the timid or shy... A full bodied, full flavored, full throttled barrel aged stout... Lots of good things going on here... This one deserves a seat at the table of the best of the big time barrel aged stouts...

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 04:05:27 | More by philbe311

homebrew311

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Served on tap at Sugar Maple.

A: pitch black, dark brown head that is short-lived , lots of lacing

S: huge roasted malts, deep chocolate followed by nice vanilla notes, huge oak barrel on the finish, this smells bold and delicious

T: the palate is absolutely dominated by chocolate and coffee, vanilla comes in and makes it's presence know , the finish is sweet with a touch of oak. The bourbon pairs beautifully with the base beer. This one is a winner!

Mf: huge body, moderate carbonation

O: this beer is a rollercoaster of flavor, It starts off with the delicious base of plead the fifth and then tacks on delicious bourbon character. This is a rarity worth trying!

Serving type: on-tap

06-12-2011 03:11:38 | More by homebrew311