Bourbon Barrel Russian Imperial Stout - Joseph James Brewing Inc.

Jimmeekrek

Wisconsin

4.74/5  rDev +11.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

On tap at Aces & Ales in Vegas. What a great surprise this was. Incredible smells of chocolate fudge and vanilla, with hints of Oak and maybe even coconut. Taste when cold followed smell, with a wonderful Bourbon aspect to it, then some molasses and deep roast flavor came in as it warmed. Having recently had Central Waters Fifteen and BCBS, I would put it just ever so slightly below those. This fit my tastes to a T!

Serving type: on-tap

05-06-2013 17:47:22 | More by Jimmeekrek

Rope

Illinois

4.19/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Appearance-
Thick oil, almost like a cable pouring out of the bottle. Settles into an obsidian pond with little head.

Smell-
The burnt malt hits me quick, but eating by the sweetness.

Taste-
That good malt bitter I like, a hint of cherry, and then the general sweetness from both barrel and malt.

Mouthfeel-
It was kind of like having my mouth coated with a paint. The way a good imperial stout should be. Best enjoyed in the winter.

Overall-
A fantastic example of a barrel aged imperial stout. Thank you to the generous patrons of Dark Lord Day.

Serving type: bottle

04-28-2013 14:00:58 | More by Rope

LiquidAmber

Washington

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a Maudite snifter. Pours pitch black with a fine milk chocolate colored head with great retention and lacing. Great aroma of bourbon, dark toasted malt and chocolate. Flavor is nicely integrated dark toasted malt, bourbon, chocolate and hints of dark fresh fruit. Medium bodied with a pleasant creaminess. Quite a nice barrel aged stout, well balanced; warming, but the ABV well covered. Will buy this again when it rolls around.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 03:06:01 | More by LiquidAmber

Spectre

California

4.49/5  rDev +5.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer reminds me of the Firestone Parabola except a little better. The main difference is that the bourbon in the Joseph James lasts longer in the mouthfeel.

A. Black with a thin brown head.

S. A sweet bourbon scent.

T. Majority of the flavor is bourbon with a hint of chocolate and light coffee. Sweeter than most stouts.

M. Real smooth with a light burn at the end.

Overall a real good stout. Not too strong but has enough flavor. Don't get me wrong this beer does not compete with a Dark Lord or Bourbon County but its great to begin the night with.

Serving type: bottle

02-04-2013 13:09:56 | More by Spectre

Rizalini

Nevada

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a silver waxed bomber bottle, hand dated 1120, and poured into a Deschutes tulip...

A - Pours a viscous black color, with a finger of brown head that falls pretty quickly. No lacing left behind at all.

S - The smell is very bourbon forward with notes of chocolate.

T/M - The tastes range from bourbon coffee, slight soy sauce, morphing into a warming caramel bourbon. The flavors really blend well, there is no one flavor that over powers another one. Heavy mouthfeel, perfect carbonation.

O - This is a pretty decent BBA stout. Alcohol is very well hidden. I will definitely buy another one to age, I just wish it wasn't so damn expensive. $14.99 is hard to pocket considering Abyss was only $11.99.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 05:59:51 | More by Rizalini

Impfan

Washington

4.05/5  rDev -4.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I was expecting this to be a big disappointment, but it’s really pretty tasty. Thick body, and an aroma of bourbon rum and red wine-soaked malted milk balls. Taste is similar with the addition of some toasted coconut,, and hint of rum soaked raisins. Not very complex, but there are no off-putting flavors, right through the finish. Too pricey for the simplicity, but pleasant and warming on this raw, rainy day.

Serving type: bottle

12-11-2012 21:13:29 | More by Impfan

Retsinis

California

3.85/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Was able to get a bottle of this at "The Pub" in Monte Carlo while on vacation (stayed at the Rio though). It was a red wax sealed 22 oz bomber for $20. Not bad for the strip, and a bar as compared to retail, and I was happy to pay for it.

Review is from notes.

A: Poured into a pint glass, the beer pours a thick, deep, and rich black, with a creamy chocolate or cappuccino colored head that rose about an inch, that dissipated into a thin ring of bubbles, leaving little lacing.

S: Aromas of bourbon come through quite strong up front, a bit more than I like. Followed by cocoa, sweet roasted malt and a touch of smoke.

T: Taste mirrors the nose, with deep and rich bourbon, followed by layers of vanilla, milk chocolate, oak, and a slight alcohol burn.

M: Medium or thick mouth feel, chewy, and lightly carbonated.

O: A solid RIS in it's own right, just not sure if the barrel added layers that my palate liked. It came off stronger than it was, and being served in a pint vs. a tulip or snifter didn’t help (in retrospect, wish I had asked for one) I would try it again though if given the chance.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 23:24:36 | More by Retsinis