Bourbon County Brand Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

kevanb

Illinois

4.61/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

12oz bottle, 2012 dated, poured into a Goose Island Bourbon County snifter.

The beer pours a deep, jet black color, touches of cola brown when struck by the light with a short, tightly packed caramel colored head that vanishes almost immediately that leaves no lace behind. The aroma is lovely, strong oaky bourbon, rich chocolate, light roasted coffee and barrel char and potent alcohol with some stone fruit and marshmallow character. On the tongue, rich toffee and bourbon creep out ever so smoothly before vanilla, thick chocolate and chewy oak captivate the palate. Alcohol, pitted fruit, marshmallow and light coffee roast tickle the tongue at the finish. The body is so velvety and smooth, low carbonation, but just enough to prop up the flavors and coat the mouth perfectly. The finish is so silky and easy and has a nice warming sensation as it goes down.

Verdict: There is a reason why this is the benchmark for all bourbon barrel aged stouts. It has such depth of flavor and wonderful balance and the alcohol, while prominent is so tame for hovering around 15.00%. This really is a beer that holds its own against any competitor in the style.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 02:11:27 | More by kevanb

Scalawags

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-18-2013 15:50:32 | More by Scalawags

TargaFlorio

Indiana

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-18-2013 00:24:39 | More by TargaFlorio

beerjardin

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +4.6%

06-17-2013 06:34:20 | More by beerjardin

bcsbeer

Florida

4/5  rDev -11.9%

06-17-2013 04:49:09 | More by bcsbeer

Rocklobsterbrew

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-16-2013 18:20:35 | More by Rocklobsterbrew

ChrisYager39

Indiana

5/5  rDev +10.1%

06-16-2013 17:37:22 | More by ChrisYager39

crawfordcf

New York

5/5  rDev +10.1%

06-16-2013 13:08:06 | More by crawfordcf

Kopfschuss

Oregon

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-16-2013 05:46:12 | More by Kopfschuss

stogirelli

Florida

4.25/5  rDev -6.4%

06-16-2013 01:07:49 | More by stogirelli

MNBeer1017

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-15-2013 15:07:32 | More by MNBeer1017

Jeremy_H

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-15-2013 12:23:18 | More by Jeremy_H

Michigan

Michigan

4.73/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

2012 Vintage. Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 22oz snifter.

A-Pours a deep, slick, oily black. Very small mocha head that fades quickly. No light passing through.

S-Smoke, oak, barrel, bourbon. Nicely balanced. I'm not sensing much alcohol on the nose. Dark chocolate covered espresso beans. Vanilla, tobacco, touch of leather. maybe a bit of maple?

T- Wowza! Big, bold, badass stout. It doesn't really punch you in the face like some of these "extreme beers". I'm impressed by how balanced it is. It's simply delicious. Lingering aftertaste. Full of dark chocolate, malt, bourbon. It tastes like America. Masterfully masked alcohol (like america)

M-Light carbonation that opens the taste buds. Full mouthfeel. Not greasy or oily. It sits in your mouth.

O-I agree. It's one of the best stouts in the world. I could do cases of this

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2013 02:26:35 | More by Michigan

jtladner

District of Columbia

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-15-2013 00:36:35 | More by jtladner

blt2646

New Hampshire

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-14-2013 21:47:18 | More by blt2646

ACB

California

5/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I've had this beer twice now, and have a couple more in my refrigerator.

I have no idea what a "perfect beer" is, but I truly don't know what I can knock about it.

Out of the world of extremely potent Imperial Stouts, this is a giant.

Serving type: bottle

06-14-2013 21:37:59 | More by ACB

VictorWisc

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +10.1%

06-14-2013 07:40:24 | More by VictorWisc

Ant4711

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-14-2013 03:24:15 | More by Ant4711

Canada_Dan

Illinois

4/5  rDev -11.9%

06-14-2013 01:37:31 | More by Canada_Dan

LostInTheFlood

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -11.9%

06-13-2013 20:30:47 | More by LostInTheFlood

CaptPajamaShark

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +4.6%

06-13-2013 18:51:25 | More by CaptPajamaShark

JammyV

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-13-2013 03:19:04 | More by JammyV

AdamR46

Texas

5/5  rDev +10.1%

06-12-2013 20:05:35 | More by AdamR46

JMUbrewz

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev -0.9%

06-12-2013 17:39:55 | More by JMUbrewz

beerinNV

Nevada

4.75/5  rDev +4.6%

06-12-2013 14:29:54 | More by beerinNV