Bourbon County Brand Stout - Goose Island Beer Co.

Krakistophales

Connecticut

5/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Pours jet black with a fantastic milk chocolate head.

S: Bourbon, oak, milk chocolate, dark chocolate, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla, malt sweetness and hints of roast.

T: Even more potent than the smell. First is a blast of mixed creamy milk and dark chocolate, followed by a caramel bready sweetness in the middle, and a dry, almost espresso like finish towards the end, but with hints of wood and smoke.

O: One of the best $(#*in stouts I've ever had. Enough said

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 00:38:54 | More by Krakistophales

ChadChaney

Iowa

5/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

I bought a case again this year, worried about the possible decline in this beer. Personally, I don't see it in this batch, still the same great beer.

Pours a coffee black w a decent tan head if you pour aggressively. Smells sweet with aromas of bourbon, barrel, coffee and some faint vanilla. The taste follows suit, sweet right up front, but when warms the mouth w a bit of booze, spice and finishes on a superb woody-bourbon-bitter chocolate note. O

Not drinking as well as the 2011 right now, but I am not sure how this version could be any better.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 05:22:27 | More by ChadChaney

Michael_D

4.4/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Pours a near black with a fizzy light brown head that didn’t stick around. Smells heavy on bourbon, wood, vanilla. Lots of cherry too. Taste is similar to smell. Sweet cherry and vanilla up front, supported by a bourbon backbone that finishes up chocolate. Strangely tastes like a chocolate covered cherry. I’ll buy one more pack to have one or two to compare over the next few years. Impressive beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:13:00 | More by Michael_D

warrenout330

Ohio

4.99/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Props props props to jbecke2!

28oz snifter poured from a 12oz

A- pours a pitch black, thick pitch black.... small head of khaki colored head.... minimal lacing

S- bozzy Bourbon, I get butterscotch in the front as well... milky sweet chocolate, sweet vanilla wood undertones .... fumes of burn

T- smooth milk chocolate, bitter chocolate, sweet sugar. Big presence of Bourbon and oaked vanilla ....

M- a solid fully body stout! Smooth and creamy feel... slick and oily down the throat... sweet feeling in the mouth... Bourbon numbness on the tongue ... well hidden alcohol for 15%

O- I'm addicted, seriously bad. This may be my top 5... damn you Ohio abv laws

Serving type: bottle

01-31-2013 03:08:44 | More by warrenout330

Anker13

District of Columbia

4.78/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

1/27/13- Goose Island | 2012 Bourbon County Brand Stout | 12oz Bottle

Appearance- jet black motor oil, rich brown head, completely opaque, no light getting through

Aroma- Bourbon, bourbon, bourbon. Chocolate, oak, roasted malt, vanilla, too many things going on to accurately describe! Earthy notes as well, woody. Dark fruits?

Mouthfeel- light carbonation, full bodied (the fullest), thick slightly coating, smooth and velvety, somewhat chewy as well, syrupy

Taste- Insanity. Easily one of the best beers I’ve ever had. I don’t even know where to begin with this one, so many things happening in my mouth. The whiskey taste is not overwhelming at all like a lot of other bourbon aged beers. There’s enough for you to know it’s there but not enough to make you wish that it wasn’t. Oaky and sweet vanilla follow the immediate whiskey flavor, then the traditional stout flavors ensue… Dark chocolate and roasted barley notes. Finishes surprisingly smooth and sweet. Amazing.

Residual- Sweet and slightly sticky, syrupy, plenty of oaky vanilla taste left, slight chocolate as well.

Overall- Truly a world class beer. Smells like a 15% but certainly doesn't taste like it. I’ve never been a big fan of Bourbon Aged Beers, and I had my doubts about Goose Island after having some of their other offerings. But I must say… I’m now a believer. I had been resisting this beer for a while but this one totally lives up to the hype. I really cannot believe an ABI beer can be this good. This sets the standard for all bourbon barrel aged beers.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2013 19:26:22 | More by Anker13

brewtus

Ohio

4.74/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Had to purchase a four pack online because of Ohios dumb 12% abv law. I've been holding out and was glad to finally have my first bcs. Poured 12oz bottle into snifter. pours oil black with a very quick fading dark tan head. Smells boozy, oaky, dark fruits, lots of bourbon. Texture is very velvety and smooth.Taste is AMAZING boozy bourbon, oak, dark creamy chocolate, some dark fruits, a little sweetness. Overall I see why this is such a hyped beer, it's pretty complex and very tasty. I'm very impressed with it and its everything I wanted.

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2013 03:53:24 | More by brewtus

flagmantho

Washington

4.63/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Poured from 12oz bottle into a tulip. This is the 2012 vintage; I've been looking forward to drinking one of these for a long time.

Appearance: per the style, this is an utterly, completely, entirely black beer. The head is a thin finger of frothy, fizzy brown foam. Color is wonderful, but I would have liked a little more retention on the head. Still a great looking beer.

Smell: aroma is a rich vanilla complemented by a light oakiness. Sweet, syrupy, engine-oil black malt comes through the charred barrel, with a tiny hint of chocolate and a little bit of fruitiness which carries great complexity in its subtlety. This, friends, is what a stout should smell like.

Taste: first impressions: alcohol, vanilla, oak, sweetness. As the flavor develops on my tongue it shows some barleywine-type character, where the exceedingly rich malty flavor is almost sharp in its strength. At second taste, I can feel the fruity flavors develop, no doubt due to the alcohol; still, there is a nice raisin, cherry, date and plum character which is wonderful. Each of these elements slowly overlay and overtake each other; as the last recedes, the next can take its place. I also want to say that there's nothing that seems gimmicky in this beer: it's straight-up quality, through and through. Sha. Zam.

Mouthfeel: big body with a good carbonation for the style and a silky smooth mouthfeel, if not a big creaminess. The stickiness of this beer pretty much ensures a smooth ride down your gullet.

Overall: I didn't want to believe the hype. But, now, I'm a believer.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 21:30:28 | More by flagmantho

DocJitsu

California

4.55/5  rDev +0.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

How does a beer this big fit into a bottle so small? This beer is why bombers and growlers were invented. So unassuming in its drab label and 12 oz. classic-style bottle. Pop the top--kaboom! It pours a very dark grayish brown, with a mocha head that barely forms before it completely attenuates. Chocolate syrup, vanilla extract, and oaky coconut on the nose. The mouthfeel is quite viscous and chewy. Smooth flavors of chocolate, vanilla, tobacco, minced meat pie, and oaky bourbon. Alcohol appears midway, bittering the last half and finish a little too much. But, it does temper all the sweetness. Very Parabola-like.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:37:24 | More by DocJitsu

Efay

Illinois

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

FINALLY got a bottle of BCBS due to Chris Quinn of the Beer Temple's generosity. He gave me a bottle saying that beer should enjoyed, not stored. That's exactly what I intended to do when I got home. I've been waiting to try this one for awhile. I feel like this is a rite of passage as a Chicago beer lover.

A- Dark black body, with some red color on the edge of the glass. At first pour, a dark caramel head of foam appears, and quickly dissolves into the blackness of this beer. Beautiful.

S- Dark chocolate just pleasantly overwhelms me, and ends with a sweet sugary smell. Hints of oak and coconut fight through the dark chocolate and make this thing complete.

T- My initial taste is berries, with a lot of dark chocolate. It's so complex. I can taste the oak, the sugar, burnt caramel, some coconut, and just a hint of vanilla. Not only is this thing complex, everything works well together.

M- It's hot on my tongue. and very thick. I had to sip on it, but every sip was extremely enjoyable.

O- This beer is just amazing. I don't know if I can even call it beer, it's more like candy. Yes, I had to sip it, but I was sipping this thing constantly as I needed to keep having a drink of this. This beer has set an extremely high standard for BA'd stouts in my book. If I ever have a chance to grab one, I'd bare knuckle box the hipsters at binny's for one of these. I can see what all the fuss is about.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 03:29:53 | More by Efay

shehateme

Massachusetts

4.9/5  rDev +8.2%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Poured 09 bottle into st bernadus goblet
A...black almost purple
S...very sweet and boozy, caramel vanilla, bourbon.
T...a lot of the same , big boozy bourbon flavor that is in perfect
harmony with the caramel malt and vanilla. Some heat from the high abv.
but well balanced ,very smooth
M...little to no carbonation .like my tongue is wearing a velvet jumpsuit
O...one of the best beers I have ever had .I am a sucker for anything barrel aged
and this is one of my favorites

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 15:56:37 | More by shehateme

wowbagger

Virginia

4.14/5  rDev -8.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a sinfully dark with hints of red. Very thin coppery-brown head but has good retention. Looks thick and heavy, Sits in the pint glass like it owns it and dares you to come and give it a try.

S - Smells like oak chips in an oaken barrel after a walk through an oak forest.

T - The oak I smelled is definitely strong and aggressive. It dominates but it's not all that's there. There's a nice alcohol bite and a wave of sweetness following the oak that reminds me of dark chocolate and fruit, maybe apple? Whatever it is is followed by a second wave of oak.

M - Very thick and full bodied. Has a little more residual sweetness than I'd like but it's not cloying, just thick as all get out. I don't detect any hops at all and only a bit of malt.

O - After a few sips and some time for it to sink into the tongue, the oak and a yeasty medicinal taste start to crop up. The bourbon also comes through afer a third of the bottle is done. At some point, this beer overstayed its welcome. This may be the most interesting stout I've ever had, though I cannot say it's my favorite. I would recommend this to any dark beer or bourbon fan to try, but a bottle is too much.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 00:09:49 | More by wowbagger

Chaney

District of Columbia

4.83/5  rDev +6.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

I've had this beer a million times and didn't even realize I've never reviewed it.

Served in a Duck Rabbitt snifter.

A: Poured a slick, pitch black color that didn't quite pour out oil-like (ala Dark Lord), but still quite thick. The slightly darker than mocha head was small, yet what was there stuck around for a good while.

S: Heavy on the nose... in an awesome way. Not extremely bourbon heavy to my senses, but the coconut quality melded very well with the chocolate notes. Not much roast, but that's was fine by me. Nice!

T: A lot more bourbon on the taste.... pretty much an awesome blend of candy coated chocolate, malts, booze, and coconut. I especially liked the rich, vanilla-infused caramel quality as well. Simple amazing!

M: Thick, yet not syrupy or sugary in the slightest. A slight carbonation prickle and quite a bit of head that I actually found to be delectable in this setting. No lacing to speak of, but that is common of most BA brews. Pretty much perfect.

O: While this is certainly a sipper, it isn't nearly as hot as one might think. I often identify some of the best high-octane brews as having a "candy-coated booze" quality. This one certainly fits that bill like a glove.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 20:25:28 | More by Chaney

His_Royal_Hoppiness

United Kingdom (England)

3.75/5  rDev -17.2%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

A: Opaque black with no head whatsoever.

S: Roasted malt, molasses.

T: Like drinking liquid marmite - it has an intense yeasty taste with some dark chocolate, burnt sugar - the alcohol presence is fairly noticeable - enjoyable, but a little one-dimensional.

M: Heavy and smooth with almost no carbonation.

I could barely detect the vanilla and bourbon flavours other reviewers have noted - they seemed completely drowned out by the overwhelming taste of malty yeast. I have another bottle which I'll definitely be aging in the hope that in a few years time I might come back to this one and have a better experience .

Serving type: bottle

01-22-2013 19:15:38 | More by His_Royal_Hoppiness

JerzDevl2000

New Jersey

4.64/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Picked this up in Totowa recently, having never had this before but hearing a lot of good things about this. Hard to believe that this was a beer, given the strength and potency of it, but over the course of a nice Winter night such as this, no beer could be better than this, and this truly proved to me why this deserved to be categorized as an Imperial!

This screamed "motor oil" from start to finis - thick pour, dark, and with a decent chocolate mousse-type head that held its own before fading quickly. Lots of dark chocolate, vanilla, cocoa nibs, and booze in the nose, with a clean Bourbon finish underneath it all. Couldn't taste the oak and ash up front but I could feel it in the aftertaste because of the warming sensation and the warming effect that it gave me. This was so thick that there was hardly any carbonation here but any suds would have detracted from the deep and bold mouthfeel of this beer, and it was hard to get much of any bubbles going even when I swished this around.

Alcohol? It's here. Don't plan on finishing this in less than an hour and a half. This might be the most aggressive beer that I've ever had but there's no doubt that this is the smoothest that I've enjoyed as well. This one's a beast but it's worth taming and savoring for all that she's worth. Beers lie this don't come around often so I'm glad that I gave this a go, if for no other reason that this is a dessert and a cordial beautifully interwoven together.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 09:21:45 | More by JerzDevl2000

RonfromJersey

New Jersey

4.65/5  rDev +2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Totally black, topped by a fizzy, gone in a blink, Coca Cola head. Carbonation streams, micro size, around the edges.

Big enticing, inviting aroma of oak, vanilla, and bourbon. Dark fruits. Dark chocolate. Touch of coffee.

Taste starts with a kiss of dark chocolate. Vanilla. Oak. Bourbon. Darkly fruity. Warming alcohol. Nice complexity.

Smooth rich mouthfeel, though a little shy of expectations.

A wonderful nitecap. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2013 06:41:01 | More by RonfromJersey

mpedara429

Massachusetts

4.76/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

A: Poured out cola color with a thin layer medium brown head. No real retention or lacing to speak of.

S: Huge smell of fudge, chocolate cake, maple, charred barrels, and a hint of booziness.

T: Chocolate fudge, butterscotch, and bourbon. It is very rich in flavor.

M: Heavy body with light carbonation. Looks and pours like motor oil. Warming mouthfeel from the high above.

O: A real treat. I was surprised this world class specialty beer was produced by Goose Island. It is totally unique. This beer is truly dessert in a bottle. A great beer to sip on a special occasion.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 03:36:14 | More by mpedara429

nasty15108

New York

4.99/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured from a 12oz (2012) into a small snifter.

A - Poured jet black like motor oil with almost no head at all.

S - Dark ripe fruit, molasses, chocolate and black licorice all noted.

T - Ripe fruit with hints of vanilla and espresso. Plenty of booze in the finish, but I'm a good way.

MF - Oily and viscous with a sticky mouthfeel. An absolute must have beer!

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 02:09:17 | More by nasty15108

schoon

Iowa

5/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

My wife bought me a 2008 and I held it for three years, It was amazing. Local store got in it's allotment recently and I bought a few. Having one fresh and will hold one for a while.

A: Poured like oil with a half inch oaken head that dissipates slowly. It looked and smelled amazing.

S: Chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, booze almost floral. Rich and intoxicating.

T: Just what I remember... just better. What do they say about this beer, One sip has more flavor than your average case of beer. Enough said.

M: Definitely a sipper, but O what a sipper!

O: Definitely one of my favorite beverages of all time. I thought the 2008 was unreal... then I had the 2012. Enough said. I can't wait for it's sibling to mature.

Serving type: bottle

01-18-2013 01:05:47 | More by schoon

bcostner1

Tennessee

4.95/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

2012 vintage.

A: Light devouring pitch black. Viscous, thick pour. Chocolate head that slowly dissipates. Great looking brew...just what I want from a stout.

S: Chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, booze. Rich and intoxicating.

T: Absolutely delicious. So much going on here and so many elements to try and describe. I get: rich dark molten chocolate cake, vanilla, bourbon, wood, caramel, charred brown sugar, dark toffee, dark fruits (dates, figs, raisins and some plum maybe), molasses. All of these blend together perfectly. Love it.

M: Docked it here just a little bit for the hotness (I'm drinking this one pretty fresh so that's to be expected) and the overall massiveness of this beer that makes it a sipper to the Nth degree. In fact, I split a 12 oz bottle over 2 nights, capping it with an air tight wine sealer, so that I could really sip and enjoy this. The body is heavy, chewy, and extremely satisfying. This is definitely one to ponder slowly.

Overall, I agree with everyone else. This is a world class brew and I would buy it every chance I got. If the quality has depreciated at all after the selling of GI (which I can't speak to since this is my first bottle ever), then I can't imagine what it was like before because this is one phenomenal beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 23:12:28 | More by bcostner1

BeerAdvocate

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From BeerAdvocate magazine Issue #62 (Mar 2012):

LOOK: Black, brown lacing

SMELL: Charred wood, barrel juice, vanilla, ripe figs, light molasses, alcohol, fudge, burnt raisins

TASTE: Creamy, thick body, smooth, molasses, mild charcoal, deep caramel, burnt dark fruit, vanilla, booze, roasted cocoa nibs, molasses finish

Some argue this is not craft beer anymore due to change of ownership—we say “bollocks” to that. BCS has cult status and deservedly so. A slow sipper due to the size, and closing in on perfection makes it very easy to sip!! Cheers to Goose Island for its continuation and expansion within their barrel program.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2013 03:38:27 | More by BeerAdvocate

radium

California

4.69/5  rDev +3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Format: 12oz bottle
Bottle Date: 11/08/2012
Serving glass: Tulip

Thanks to a generous BeerAdvocate, I was able to secure two bottles of 2012 Goose Island BCBS.

This beer displayed high viscosity and literally gulped its way out of the bottle when poured in my Bruery tulip glass. No carbonation or head at first, but then came this really nice, rich tan-brown head that dissipated quickly. Color was classic jet black - absolutely no light was let through this beer.

One of the many components of this beer worth savoring is the aroma. I really did not want to drink this beer because I could spend hours smelling the rich bourbon. I was able to detect some dark chocolate on the nose, but mostly bourbon.

While the nose was a treat, actually getting to drink this beer was insane. Mouthfeel was dense, smooth, and had huge body. The finish on this monster is incredibly long - one sip and a spectrum of flavor hits your palate that lingers on and on. One thing I immediately noticed was how smooth this beer was. For 15%, you would expect this beer to pack a heat punch. The bourbon is going off as expected, but the presence of dark chocolate brownies, hazelnuts, dark roast, and some oak were detectable. Another aspect of this beer to appreciate, unlike some barrel aged beers, is that it avoids being overly syrupy. One thing I cannot stand about some imperial stouts is that nasty, detestable soy sauce flavor. My bottle of BCBS had no trace of soy sauce, or weird deep sea "umami".

This beer is what any barrel aged stout should aspire to. It's not overly sweet, no oxidation or sourness, no syrup, no soy sauce. It is highly complex with layers of distinct flavors and delicious bourbon. This beer in many ways reminded me of Firestone Walker Parabola (or vice versa). I really wish this beer came out West because it truly is worth seeking out or trading for. My local bourbon barrel aged stouts are good, but for a non-California beer BCBS is every bit as good if not better. Be careful though, with its high drinkability and 15% ABV, it's a dangerous little bottle.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 19:21:00 | More by radium

TWStandley

Massachusetts

4.78/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

Poured from the bottle into my KTG Snifter. 2012 vintage.

Appeared a pitch black color with a one finger mocha head. Slight oily in appearance. When held to light, slight amber tinge around the edges.

Smells boozy and sweet. Intense bourbon smells including smokey wood, chocolate, vanilla, coconut, and plums. Slight coffee note.

Taste is incredibly complex. First you are hit with the bourbon taste. Sweet alcohol. Then comes through more of the creamy vanilla tastes. Aftertaste has a hint of expresso and sugar.

Alcohol content is well masked. Beer is very thick and syrupy. This is one to take small sips of and swish around on the pallete. Not a lot of carbonation.

I call this my "football game beer." Meaning that it takes and entire football game to get through a 12oz bottle. Each sip needs to be savored. This isn't for the faint of heart but also isn't SO intense that it isn't enjoyable. What a solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 17:07:10 | More by TWStandley

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.74/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Bourbon County Brand Stout 2012. Bottled 09/20/2012. Poured into a Courvoisier snifter. Thanks again, wittyname! I owe you still!

Pours a seriously-heavy black with great thickness. Comes out of the bottle in sheets. Never bubbled up, with a very lax desire for head-formation. I ended up with an icy ring, so thin, I can barely distinguish the color of the foam. Incredibly thick legs.

The aroma is pretty intense. Sweet bourbon, fudge brownie, dry oakiness, booze, espresso, and hints of dark raisin. Lots of complex whiskey notes coming out here. Woody nose. Dark chocolate, barrel wood, and hints of vanilla. Great stuff.

Amazing. Gooey double-fudge brownies, vanilla liqueur, bourbon with simple syrup, brulee'd sugars, Werthers Original, bitter cocoa, molasses, black malts, Kahlua, and sweet alcohol. Nuances of maple and toasted coconut. Elixir-y, but with hop evidence (not much). Very subtle hint of brandy-poached berries. Wildly-pronounced by the bourbon note, which is sublime and never imposing. Redefines the style to me. This is a bourbon stout, not just a bourbon barrel-aged stout. Tastes like you could only hope to imagine from an original.

The alcohol is never compromised, however, it's so sweet like the other decadent flavors that you'd never think you're drinking a 15-percenter. The body is massive and creamy. It almost separates in the mouth if held too long. Delayed headiness, but firmly strong and big. Carbonation is weak, but, with the little force it can muster, drives spice into the pockets of the mouth; opening up that delicious whiskey note. Sticky, but not as sticky as you might think. Mouthfeel was damn near mastered here.

Malty decadence and booze do to my mind what hoppy beers do to my taste buds. An after-hours macho sipper. The rule-setter. The beer that the others hold a candle to. Who needs an afterthought? Let 'em have the score, why don't you!

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2013 05:12:52 | More by thecheapies

gr0g

New Jersey

4.85/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

12oz bottle, 2012 vintage.

Pours pitch black with a thin, tan head. Viscosity is very noticeable during the pour. Rich and sweet smelling, alcohol noticeable given the 15% ABV of this vintage. Bourbon notes -- oaky and sweet vanilla, meld nicely with typical strong stout notes of chocolate. Super-ripe fermented dark fruit, as if rum-soaked.

On the palate, very sweet but short of cloying. Heavy bourbon accent without being dominated by it. Alcoholic without being boozy (no burn). The huge flavors go right to the edge of the cliff without turning this into a hot mess. Surprisingly, I get more dark fruit than chocolate or coffee notes, but that may be the sweetness influencing perception. Unlike some beefy stouts, the carbonation doesn't fall off a cliff, which is nice given that this takes time to sip and appreciate.

If a fresh BCBS is this good, I can only imagine what it would be like once it matured. Truly a great experience for fans of bourbon and beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 00:48:26 | More by gr0g

smalenberg

Michigan

4.76/5  rDev +5.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Bottle to standard pint

A - Oh the tempting vision of foamy used motor oil. Very, very, thick. Clings to the glass like a liquor. Deep toffee colored foam ring persists throughout.

S - Holy bourbon batman. Woody, smoky char of the barrel with the sweet bourbon character. Alcohol largely masks the subtleties of the malty grain character, but it is there if you are patient. And since this is a sipper, you'll have time.

T - Big malty sweetness with significant bourbon character. Very complex, but great fun to decompose as you enjoy. Some smoke, some woodiness, some tannins and lots of dark fruit (black cherry), sometimes reminiscent of black licorice, but only very late.

M - Thick and stouty, tingling alcohol. A beer you can really chew. You want to let each sip linger on your tongue. A beer that feels good to drink. Drying quality late.

O - This is a great beer that lives up to the hype. I had to wait in line to get ONE at my local specialty shop on the day it was released and I cellar-ed it for several months before enjoying it.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 00:12:40 | More by smalenberg