Cigar City Bourbon Barrel Aged Bolita Brown Double Nut Brown Ale

Brewed by Cigar City Brewing
Style: American Strong Ale
Tampa, Florida USA

Thanks to Kevin for the 750mL bottle, #70/221. Poured near-clear ruddy brown with a nice cap of dark tan head. The aroma elicited a “Holy Bourbon, Beerman”, with a sweet and tangy impression hanging above all else.. some metallic highlights.. digging deep there was some chocolate and nutty character.. more prickly bourbon and a hit of sweet vanilla on the back of the nose. The flavor found tart bourbon and oak upfront with sweet caramel, nutty notes, and more bourbon behind.. picked up some molasses toward the back.. finished with lots more bourbon and molasses.. tasty, but too much barrel. Medium-bodied and sweet overall on the palate.. I loved the base beer, but the barrel treatment went a little too far. That said, I’d gladly try it again.

Bottle 75/175. Bourbon, nuts, and chocolate in the aroma. Maybe some licorice too. Very dark brown color, looks almost black from the sides, a tan head develops and fades to thin patches. Flavors follow what was picked up in the aroma; minus the licorice, adding raisins (at first I thought this was molasses), and a little roasty bitterness. The bourbon is very smooth and controlled. Easy drinking barrel-aged brew, slightly warming, lacks a little body though. Not amazing but very good and enjoyable.

Botle 70/221. Thanks Jason. The beer pours to a brown body with a think off-white head. The aroma is hugely bourbon with some brown malts. Light tobacco. The flavor is pretty bourbony with a modest amount of tobacco and brown malt. The palate is rich and medium bodied. Good texture and alcohol content is surprisingly hidden. The standard version of this was better, but this is still pretty good.

Bottle 70 of 221 shared by Jason N Dark brown pour w/ a full light tan head comes through thick and well laced. The sweet brown sugars and bourbon come through hints of vanilla probably still from the barrel then some raw alcohols that do detract a bit. Full well coated palate. Taste of brown sugar, maple syrup (lots) some vanilla, hints of bourbon/oak light dry wood in that finishes a bit dry a tiny tiny hint of soy sauce. Very good.

Bottle number 138/221. Poured a hazy brown color with a small tan head. Some sweet aged malt leads off the aroma. Nice notes of vanilla and wood. Caramel and vanilla flavor. Light sweetness. Warming with a little taste of alcohol as well. Medium bodied.

Sampled from the bottle at the 2010 February Circle City Tasting. Bottle was thanks to Tampabrew. Poured brown with a grayish head. Aroma was full of bourbon and wood notes with an underlying grainy malt note. Flavor had strong notes of alcohol with grainy malt and a touch of caramel.

Sampled at Feb 2010 Indy tasting - Aroma is pungent roasted dark malts, bourbon, oak and vanilla. Flavor matches but is not overwhelming full of bourbon at all. The palate is very creamy, lush and smooth. A very nice bourbon barrel beer.

Bottle enjoyed watching the Super Bowl via Santa. Thanks Santa! Pours very dark brown almost black with tan head. Aroma is heavy on the vanilla, wood, booze, and booze. Medium mouthfeel. Flavor is wonderful. Roasty nutty caramel vanilla, bourbon tickles the tongue, and vanilla, and finishes with a touch of bourbon that kisses the back of the throat. This is a tasty gem and was real glad I got a chance to try it. Thanks again Santa!