Bourbon Barrel Stout - Odell Brewing Company

mdvatab

Indiana

2/5  rDev -49.4%
look: 1 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

2011 Vintage
Poured from 750ml bottle into KtG snifter

I'd really been looking forward to this one based on great experiences with other Odell brews, and positive buzz about this one. I purchased in late 2011, and cellared the corked & caged bottle on its side since then. The cork was tight. In most cases, when a c&c bottle is properly carbonated, the cork will get easier and easier to pull as it works its way out. Unfortunately, this one was a struggle the whole way, leading me to believe the was a carbonation issue...

A hard pour straight into the bottom of my snifter only resulted in a small group of large bubbles--no tight collar of foam here. Reminiscent of one of my early homebrews that failed to carbonate. Color is a dark cola brown/black-- a bit thinner than anticipated.

Before even tasting this one, I suspect that there's a major issue. With a sip, this one falls flat, both with respect to carbonation, and also flavor. Some malty, chocolate sweetness, moderate cardboard, a hint of oaky barrel, and a slight bitterness. This is obviously not what the brewer intended, so I'll stop the review there. Proceed to kitchen sink. Pour.

Unfortunately, I believe this bottle set me back $18, which is very frustrating. After reading other reviews, it appears that there is some significant inconsistency with last year's batch. Short of being offered a free replacement bottle this year, I won't be going after this one again.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2012 21:03:20 | More by mdvatab

jasonycurtis

Oklahoma

4/5  rDev +1.3%

06-05-2013 00:19:35 | More by jasonycurtis

MinorThreat

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

05-28-2013 14:34:06 | More by MinorThreat

InspectorBob

New Jersey

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-20-2013 16:41:31 | More by InspectorBob

daysinthewake

California

4/5  rDev +1.3%

05-08-2013 02:42:30 | More by daysinthewake

bulldogg915

Wyoming

4.75/5  rDev +20.3%

04-03-2013 16:11:12 | More by bulldogg915

Sparky44

Illinois

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

03-24-2013 18:03:31 | More by Sparky44

G-Hawk

Colorado

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

03-10-2013 23:03:00 | More by G-Hawk

dragomni

Minnesota

4/5  rDev +1.3%

01-27-2013 23:51:14 | More by dragomni

00chris

Missouri

2.5/5  rDev -36.7%

01-27-2013 22:24:49 | More by 00chris

Oboogie

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

01-25-2013 17:51:00 | More by Oboogie

bradner

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

01-15-2013 03:46:09 | More by bradner

victoryoak

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

01-13-2013 19:31:08 | More by victoryoak

AlexFields

Tennessee

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

01-11-2013 21:26:43 | More by AlexFields

bozodogbreath

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

01-10-2013 01:49:15 | More by bozodogbreath

PalatePilot

Colorado

5/5  rDev +26.6%

01-06-2013 01:36:26 | More by PalatePilot

thagr81us

South Carolina

2.5/5  rDev -36.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Big thanks goes out to the BA who sent me this one as an extra in a past trade (BM me if it was you) so that I could share it at one of our random Sunday tastings! Served from bottle into a Sweetwater 15th Anniversary snifter. Poured pitch black with a half finger light tan head that subsided to a minimal amount quickly. Maintained decent lacing throughout the glass. The aroma was comprised of sweet malt, earth, earth hop, wood, sweet alcohol, and metallic. The flavor was of sweet malt, earth, wood, metallic, oxidized, and roasted malt. It had a light feel on the palate with medium carbonation. Overall this was a less than average brew. I’m not really sure what went down here, but this brew was not happy about sitting in my fridge for awhile before getting to open it. There was a pop when cork was pulled, but this one was definitely oxidized. Really hated to see this happen if I am honest. There was some nice notes going on in the nose, but in the flavor it was completely dominated by the oxidation. Such a shame.

Serving type: bottle

12-31-2012 13:12:19 | More by thagr81us

billab914

Virginia

2.75/5  rDev -30.4%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

750ml bottle poured into my Flying Mouflan glass. I believe this is a 2009 vintage, but it could be 2010. Dark brown in color with a thin tan head scattered around the top and concentrating around the edges.

The aroma has some sharper dark fruit notes to it. I get some brown sugar sweetness and a little bourbon but the imperial stout flavors are pretty well hidden. The sharp, tart dark fruits definitely hint at something being off in it, but it doesn't completely ruin it.

The sharp, tart, moderately acidic fruit flavors come through even more in the taste. It definitely has more in common with an American wild than an imperial stout at this point. The bourbon barrel comes through a little and adds an interesting twist to the tart fruits.

The mouthfeel is thin for the style and carbonation is above average. Overall, it wasn't what I expected or probably what was intended but it wasn't terrible. It was a drinkable American wild but not a good bourbon imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 00:25:18 | More by billab914

Nizzle913

Colorado

4/5  rDev +1.3%

12-28-2012 19:07:40 | More by Nizzle913

Pecan

California

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

12-20-2012 16:53:43 | More by Pecan

habaceeba

Colorado

4.75/5  rDev +20.3%

12-16-2012 04:21:16 | More by habaceeba

dt_gbpackersfan

Missouri

2.5/5  rDev -36.7%

12-14-2012 05:51:31 | More by dt_gbpackersfan

tuckerlikesbeer

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +13.9%

11-29-2012 05:13:52 | More by tuckerlikesbeer

THECPJ

Delaware

3.5/5  rDev -11.4%

11-26-2012 17:38:17 | More by THECPJ

litheum94

California

4.25/5  rDev +7.6%

11-25-2012 15:41:41 | More by litheum94