Great Lakes 25th Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout - Great Lakes Brewery

TheSevenDuffs

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Fresh bottle poured in to Great Lakes tulip.

A - Deep inky black with one finger of medium brown head.

S - A big oak aroma up front with some lighter bourbon notes coming through. Roast, semi-sweet chocolate and some sweet molasses.

T - A big oaky character dominates with lighter bourbon notes coming through from the barrel. Some chocolate, roast and the slightest hint of vanilla. A noticeable alcohol presence is warming throughout.

M - Medium, almost full bodies. Somewhat thick at times. Light carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 02:20:13 | More by TheSevenDuffs

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

3.8/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Red waxed bottle. The last of the 25th Anniversary bottles.
Poured into GLB tulip.

Totally opaque black pour with hints of red and brown swirling around. Half finger dark brown head. Slightly creamy looking. Lacing is minimal.

Dark chocolate and some cocoa powder. Slight Nesquik with some medium roast coffee. Molasses, vanilla, brown sugar, with some oak in the back end. A little light on the bourbon.

Dark chocolate and coffee up front making way for smooth bourbon and a light wood dryness. Molasses and some vanilla. A peak of alcohol comes through in the back end.

Medium to full body, slightly creamy

I think this is a good was to finish a year of celebration. The price tag was a little higher than the other releases but understandable and worth the extra couple dollars.

Serving type: bottle

03-01-2013 00:45:11 | More by korguy123

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev -2.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Beer is pitch black with a small tan head that fades quickly.

Smell contains bourbon, a bunch of vanilla, some oak.

Like the nose, the flavour contains plenty of the barrel. Oak, vanilla, bourbon. A bit hot. Some coffee and a bit of chocolate underneath it. Quite sweet.

Full bodied, moderately carbonated, the sweetness dries the mouth, a bit sticky.

Overall, not bad, but the barrel is too strong and the beer is a bit one-dimensional. I would like to get more of the base beer. Perhaps it will improve with time but given the quality of GLB's Stalin's Choice, I am a bit disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 02:20:54 | More by jrenihan

decimator

Ontario (Canada)

4.2/5  rDev +6.6%
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.

Serving type: bottle

03-02-2013 03:28:09 | More by decimator

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

4.26/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Jet black, ring of reddish-tan head, some lace here as well. Smell is just wonderful, chocolate and bourbon, fudge brownie like, vanilla, light coffee and oak, well roasted but not chared or burnt, more fudgey-chocolate. Taste is not quite as nice as the nose, roasty with chocolate and coffee, vanilla and oak are fairly present but the overall bourbon is light, more chocolate-vanilla flavours with a medium bitterness, aftertaste of vanilla. Lightly carbonated, medium-full body. Solid stuff here, great way to end the anniversary series, something I'm glad I have a few more of.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 14:45:53 | More by peensteen

Derek

British Columbia (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +12.9%
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!

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 18:10:44 | More by Derek