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25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout
Great Lakes Brewery
- From:
- Great Lakes Brewery
- Ontario, Canada
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 10.5%
- Score:
- 90
- Avg:
- 4.11 | pDev: 8.52%
- Reviews:
- 13
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Feb 14, 2016
- Added:
- Feb 19, 2013
- Wants:
- 5
- Gots:
- 0
Imperial stout aged in Buffalo Trace barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by DaveBar from Canada (ON)
4.49/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
5oz pour at the brewery. Warmed it up to around 10deg C
A- Nice and dark 1/4" head that filmed out within a minute or two. Super dark pretty much black colour.
S- Oodles of bourbon here.
T- Nice bourbon back bone on a quality stout. Pretty much 90% of a Bourbon County. Enough said.
M- Creamy and rich
O- I like this one a lot. It's definitely worth seeking out. A Canadian version of Bourbon County. So enjoyable and will buy on sight!
Food Pairing
This one like most heavy stouts that are bourbon barrel aged is difficult to pair due to the level of bourbon in them. Definitely will do well with anything chocolate that is for sure.
Enjoy
Feb 14, 2016A- Nice and dark 1/4" head that filmed out within a minute or two. Super dark pretty much black colour.
S- Oodles of bourbon here.
T- Nice bourbon back bone on a quality stout. Pretty much 90% of a Bourbon County. Enough said.
M- Creamy and rich
O- I like this one a lot. It's definitely worth seeking out. A Canadian version of Bourbon County. So enjoyable and will buy on sight!
Food Pairing
This one like most heavy stouts that are bourbon barrel aged is difficult to pair due to the level of bourbon in them. Definitely will do well with anything chocolate that is for sure.
Enjoy
Reviewed by kevinlater from Canada (ON)
4.66/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.66/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
sample at the glb tap takeover at barvolo in toronto, aug 22 2015. 2013 vintage. 12% abv, not sure if this is the same beer
a: pitch black with a dark brown head
s: dominant sweet bourbon (oaky vanilla, caramel) but not much else
t: bourbon notes up front, but then the extremely massive roast profile kicks you in the face. however the roastiness is never offensive. then follows a big caramel presence and some bitter cocoa notes. the finish tapers off with dark fruit flavours. perfect balancing between the extremes of decadently sweet and bitter/roasty characteristics
m: very thick and full, with mild carbonation. it's only fitting moderate bitterness/dryness at the end
o: amazingly indulgent. blew me away
Aug 25, 2015a: pitch black with a dark brown head
s: dominant sweet bourbon (oaky vanilla, caramel) but not much else
t: bourbon notes up front, but then the extremely massive roast profile kicks you in the face. however the roastiness is never offensive. then follows a big caramel presence and some bitter cocoa notes. the finish tapers off with dark fruit flavours. perfect balancing between the extremes of decadently sweet and bitter/roasty characteristics
m: very thick and full, with mild carbonation. it's only fitting moderate bitterness/dryness at the end
o: amazingly indulgent. blew me away
Reviewed by biegaman from Canada (ON)
4.13/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
4.13/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
This 25th anniversary bourbon barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout is black and inky as a 25 year Modena balsamic vinegar, both having been shuttered in wooden barrels (albeit the former for only 3 months). Still, this opaque beer looks like it's never seen the light. Even its head is the colour of a particularly healthy top soil, dark and thick as wet mud.
No wonder this wasn't made available in the United States - it smells enough like a fine Cuban Montecristo to be confiscated at the border. There's a perfect amount of cigar-like spice (cinnamon, nutmeg) as well as a tangy wood note and vanilla courtesy of the bourbon barrels.
Each sip fills the mouth with splinters of wood; light a match and you could start a fire. The barrel is more appreciated than the bourbon. The flavour indeed contains large elements of oak including, most noticeably, a rich vanilla presence as well as coconut, roasted coffee bean and sweet cedar notes. The malts impart a touch of semi-sweet dark chocolate flavour too.
The brewery gauged that this would keep for 3 years - a rather conservative estimate given it's black as tar, 11% alcohol and aged in 80 proof barrels. This review comes a little over a year since its release and seems a little mellower, a little more approachable. It's probably got the strength to hold up another 20+ months but it'd be a pointless risk. My guess is it's peeked now.
Great Lakes 25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout is a balanced offering that layers the palate with copious amounts of complex flavors including vanilla, coconut, chocolate, coffee, toasted nuts, and a sweet hint of raisin on the finish. What more can it offer? I can't think a better beer to release to celebrate an anniversary.
Mar 24, 2014No wonder this wasn't made available in the United States - it smells enough like a fine Cuban Montecristo to be confiscated at the border. There's a perfect amount of cigar-like spice (cinnamon, nutmeg) as well as a tangy wood note and vanilla courtesy of the bourbon barrels.
Each sip fills the mouth with splinters of wood; light a match and you could start a fire. The barrel is more appreciated than the bourbon. The flavour indeed contains large elements of oak including, most noticeably, a rich vanilla presence as well as coconut, roasted coffee bean and sweet cedar notes. The malts impart a touch of semi-sweet dark chocolate flavour too.
The brewery gauged that this would keep for 3 years - a rather conservative estimate given it's black as tar, 11% alcohol and aged in 80 proof barrels. This review comes a little over a year since its release and seems a little mellower, a little more approachable. It's probably got the strength to hold up another 20+ months but it'd be a pointless risk. My guess is it's peeked now.
Great Lakes 25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout is a balanced offering that layers the palate with copious amounts of complex flavors including vanilla, coconut, chocolate, coffee, toasted nuts, and a sweet hint of raisin on the finish. What more can it offer? I can't think a better beer to release to celebrate an anniversary.
Reviewed by Digimaika2 from Canada (ON)
4.49/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.49/5 rDev +9.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Purchased Winter 12/13 and tasting with about one year's worth of aging.
(4.25) A: Pours thick with a relatively thin mocha coloured head that quickly forms a ring with an island of bubbles in the middle. Although thin, the head has good retention and solid patches of lacing are clearly evident.
(4.5) S: Bitter dark chocolate, espresso bean, sweet caramel, dark fruits, vanilla, and gingerbread. The bourbon is quite subtle and really blends well with the intense dark chocolate aroma. This encompasses all the hearty and rich aromas that I enjoy in this style.
(4.5) T: As per the aroma (thankfully) with bitter dark chocolate and oaky bourbon upfront. Vanilla, espresso, caramel, anise, and subtle dark fruits round this out very well. The alcohol is superbly hidden with the bourbon providing a more oaky-cherry taste. This reminds me of an affogato (espresso poured over gelato) in flavour but also in terms of balancing the sweet with the bitter.
(4.5) M: Full bodied with a moderate carbonation. Sticky and viscous with a slight gritty texture. Not overly syrupy which I find can be quite prevalent in this style.
(4.5) D: This is probably one of the best bourbon RIS I’ve had yet. The bourbon for me extolled wonderful wood and cherry flavours without being overly boozy. Very happy to have found this last bottle on the shelf (it was meant to be!) and will be keeping my eyes out for the next release.
Dec 21, 2013(4.25) A: Pours thick with a relatively thin mocha coloured head that quickly forms a ring with an island of bubbles in the middle. Although thin, the head has good retention and solid patches of lacing are clearly evident.
(4.5) S: Bitter dark chocolate, espresso bean, sweet caramel, dark fruits, vanilla, and gingerbread. The bourbon is quite subtle and really blends well with the intense dark chocolate aroma. This encompasses all the hearty and rich aromas that I enjoy in this style.
(4.5) T: As per the aroma (thankfully) with bitter dark chocolate and oaky bourbon upfront. Vanilla, espresso, caramel, anise, and subtle dark fruits round this out very well. The alcohol is superbly hidden with the bourbon providing a more oaky-cherry taste. This reminds me of an affogato (espresso poured over gelato) in flavour but also in terms of balancing the sweet with the bitter.
(4.5) M: Full bodied with a moderate carbonation. Sticky and viscous with a slight gritty texture. Not overly syrupy which I find can be quite prevalent in this style.
(4.5) D: This is probably one of the best bourbon RIS I’ve had yet. The bourbon for me extolled wonderful wood and cherry flavours without being overly boozy. Very happy to have found this last bottle on the shelf (it was meant to be!) and will be keeping my eyes out for the next release.
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands
4.62/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
4.62/5 rDev +12.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Got a bottle of this from pensteen and hopsolutely. Thanks a lot for this one guys. Really glad to try this one.
From a 750ml wax topped bottle into a snifter
IBU: 80
3 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels
APPEARANCE: Pours out black and yields a small, medium looking, mocha colored head with decent retention. Head recedes to a faint wisp and ring. Jet black body with no real carbonation evident. A light swirly wisp and ring remain with some falling dots of lace down the glass. Really black body for sure. Good looking.
SMELL: Big nose of bourbon, oak, vanilla, some nice roasted espresso, and dark baker's chocolate. A bed of alcohol under all the fun as well. Excellent mix of roasted and chocolate fudge from the base beer, and then the sweet bourbon barrel aromas from the ageing process.
TASTE: Roasted flavors, burnt coffee beans, sweet caramel and bourbon up front, into a burnt and roasted, dark baker's chocolate finish. Bourbon and oak show up at the swallow as well. Excellent balance here. Big and lingering finish of bourbon, vanilla, sweet caramel, roasted, burnt coffee and bitter chocolate. Both base beer and barrel are great and work very well together. Wonderful.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Creamy on the palate, enough weight for sure, goes down smooth and finishes mouth-coating. A touch of heat lingers after the swallow, but well measured.
OVERALL: I'd love to try the base beer for this as well. Superb balance, and both the base beer and barrel aging are able to shine here. This one got a lot of praise from local fans, and that praise is more than deserved. Exceeded expectations, and as long as earlier reviewers are drinking the same beer I am, I feel they have been too harsh. This is excellent, and actually reminds me of Cycle Brewing RareR DOS. Highly recommended. Thanks again guys.
Sep 09, 2013From a 750ml wax topped bottle into a snifter
IBU: 80
3 months in Kentucky bourbon barrels
APPEARANCE: Pours out black and yields a small, medium looking, mocha colored head with decent retention. Head recedes to a faint wisp and ring. Jet black body with no real carbonation evident. A light swirly wisp and ring remain with some falling dots of lace down the glass. Really black body for sure. Good looking.
SMELL: Big nose of bourbon, oak, vanilla, some nice roasted espresso, and dark baker's chocolate. A bed of alcohol under all the fun as well. Excellent mix of roasted and chocolate fudge from the base beer, and then the sweet bourbon barrel aromas from the ageing process.
TASTE: Roasted flavors, burnt coffee beans, sweet caramel and bourbon up front, into a burnt and roasted, dark baker's chocolate finish. Bourbon and oak show up at the swallow as well. Excellent balance here. Big and lingering finish of bourbon, vanilla, sweet caramel, roasted, burnt coffee and bitter chocolate. Both base beer and barrel are great and work very well together. Wonderful.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Creamy on the palate, enough weight for sure, goes down smooth and finishes mouth-coating. A touch of heat lingers after the swallow, but well measured.
OVERALL: I'd love to try the base beer for this as well. Superb balance, and both the base beer and barrel aging are able to shine here. This one got a lot of praise from local fans, and that praise is more than deserved. Exceeded expectations, and as long as earlier reviewers are drinking the same beer I am, I feel they have been too harsh. This is excellent, and actually reminds me of Cycle Brewing RareR DOS. Highly recommended. Thanks again guys.
Reviewed by Phyl21ca from Canada (QC)
3.76/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.76/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Bottle: Poured a deep black color stout with a large dark brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma consists of roasted malt with medium bourbon notes and light vanilla notes. Taste is also dominated by dry roasted malt notes which are somewhat offset by large black chocolate notes with some medium bourbon notes with light vanilla notes also perceptible. Body is full with oily texture and good carbonation with no real apparent alcohol notes. Interesting beer with good balanced thought is missing a little something to keep up with some of its cousins.
Jul 25, 2013Reviewed by wordemupg from Canada (AB)
4.16/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
4.16/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25
750ml bottle poured into tulip 29/6/13, big thanks to liamt07 for sending the bottle
A looks black right out of the bottle but has a deep cola edge when tilted, short lived finger of mocha foam burns out in seconds and leaves no lace
S woody bourbon with faint smoke, vanilla, char, booze, more smouldering wood and some bakers chocolate, licorice and more bourbon barrel
T slightly more booze then the nose with even more char, boozy fudge and some dark roasted coffee I didn't smell, rich and boozy with intense dark roast
M not as thick as the color would imply but far from thin, a little heat and very sticky with loads of char and burnt barrel on the finish
O I'd guess this spent more then 3 months in the barrel because there's an intense charred bourbon barrel aspect that's hard to miss, smells and tastes solid and I suppose that's what matters most
If I had another I'd age it for a while, big barrel presence and I'd believe it spent a year aging on wood if was told such, something I'd like more of but I'd sit on it for some time
Jun 30, 2013A looks black right out of the bottle but has a deep cola edge when tilted, short lived finger of mocha foam burns out in seconds and leaves no lace
S woody bourbon with faint smoke, vanilla, char, booze, more smouldering wood and some bakers chocolate, licorice and more bourbon barrel
T slightly more booze then the nose with even more char, boozy fudge and some dark roasted coffee I didn't smell, rich and boozy with intense dark roast
M not as thick as the color would imply but far from thin, a little heat and very sticky with loads of char and burnt barrel on the finish
O I'd guess this spent more then 3 months in the barrel because there's an intense charred bourbon barrel aspect that's hard to miss, smells and tastes solid and I suppose that's what matters most
If I had another I'd age it for a while, big barrel presence and I'd believe it spent a year aging on wood if was told such, something I'd like more of but I'd sit on it for some time
Reviewed by Derek from Canada (BC)
4.43/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +7.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
A: Black with a tan head, thin ring of retention leaves some nice lace.
S: Considering the strength, the nose is rather subtle, but it is nice... molasses, black licorice with hints of espresso and bourbon.
T: The bourbon is very complimentary. Bakers chocolate, espresso, molasses, black licorice, roasted nut and oak. Solid bitterness, nice alcohol warmth.
M: Fairly full body is smooth with a light roasted acidity and drying alcohol finish. Perfect for the style.
O: Not at all brash, so it won't knock your socks off like some. It's a really big brew for sure, but the flavours are incredibly well integrated and it's an absolute pleasure to drink. It's not easy to achieve this balance. Very well-crafted, world-class brew. Hell of a way to celebrate an anniversary!
Apr 27, 2013S: Considering the strength, the nose is rather subtle, but it is nice... molasses, black licorice with hints of espresso and bourbon.
T: The bourbon is very complimentary. Bakers chocolate, espresso, molasses, black licorice, roasted nut and oak. Solid bitterness, nice alcohol warmth.
M: Fairly full body is smooth with a light roasted acidity and drying alcohol finish. Perfect for the style.
O: Not at all brash, so it won't knock your socks off like some. It's a really big brew for sure, but the flavours are incredibly well integrated and it's an absolute pleasure to drink. It's not easy to achieve this balance. Very well-crafted, world-class brew. Hell of a way to celebrate an anniversary!
Reviewed by decimator from Canada (ON)
4.21/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.21/5 rDev +2.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle poured into a goblet. ABV 11%.
At almost $15 this is the most I've ever paid for a single bottle of beer at the LCBO.
A - Poured a near black with a 1cm brown head. Head reduced to a thin ring of bubbles. Minimal lacing.
S - Vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, some dark fruit, a bit of whiskey in the background.
T - Brown sugar, molasses, some dark chocolate, vanilla, some booze, oak & bitter hops in the finish. As it warms the wood notes become more prominent in the finish.
M - Medium carbonation, medium-heavy body, thick, syrupy, minimal heat, dry finish.
O - A pretty good RIS overall.
Mar 02, 2013At almost $15 this is the most I've ever paid for a single bottle of beer at the LCBO.
A - Poured a near black with a 1cm brown head. Head reduced to a thin ring of bubbles. Minimal lacing.
S - Vanilla, oak, dark chocolate, some dark fruit, a bit of whiskey in the background.
T - Brown sugar, molasses, some dark chocolate, vanilla, some booze, oak & bitter hops in the finish. As it warms the wood notes become more prominent in the finish.
M - Medium carbonation, medium-heavy body, thick, syrupy, minimal heat, dry finish.
O - A pretty good RIS overall.
25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout from Great Lakes Brewery
Beer rating:
90 out of
100 with
25 ratings
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