Full Sail Black Gold Imperial Stout Bourbon Barrel Aged

Trade with Ross, thanks dude! Ross was kind enough to send me a 2006 bottle of this stuff. Pours a deep brown color with medium sized frothy mocha head that fades quickly. Aroma is of intense bourbon, vanilla, light coconut and alcohol. Taste is over the top bourbon, vanilla, wood, alcohol and chocolate. The alcohol definitely grabs ya by the balls, but it definitely adds to the character. Good stuff, thanks Ross! BTW, where’s my Doggie Claws?

(bottle from Sparky27, thanks Eric!) Pours black with a thin dark tan head and light lacing. The aroma is a powerful punch of chocolate brownies, brown sugar, vanilla, wood, alcohol, and raisins that just blends together perfectly. Hints of soy and dough also appear, and while I’m usually put off by these scents in an impy, it actually fits quite well with this beer. Brownie gets stronger as this gets warmer, but it gets hotter with alcohol as well. Taste consists of light chocolate covered peanuts that doesn’t last long, as it is quickly replaced by a large amount of barrel flavors, with hints of coconut, vanilla, and wood. Roasted malt tries to break through this barrel onslaught, but only displays a light presence on the finish accompanied by a little salt and more charred oak. The mouthfeel is a bit thinned out for the style, but this is excusable. This is quite a good beer from Full Sail, and is far better than their BA Porter. Thanks again Eric!

2009 bottle thanks to carythedude. Pours with a largish, dark brown head over a black body. Great lace and retention. Aroma of brown sugar, bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, wood and raisins. Taste is slightly oxidized with tons of wood, burnt brown sugar, bourbon, corn sweetness (from the bourbon), coffee and a bit of smoke. Taste is not nearly sweet enough, either the chocolate or residual sugars need to be higher for my liking, very dry, and doesn’t balance the bourbon or wood well. Creamy mouthfeel, light bubbles.

Bottle thanks to BMan1113VR. Pours a dark black color with a medium small sized mocha head. Nose is Taste is vanilla, marshmallow, oak, bourbon, smoke, little bit of chocolate and some coconut. Taste is pretty much the same. Medium to thick mouthfeel, long smokey hot finish.

Mason jar from the tap at Malt & Vine. This Black Gold has a moderate half inch tan head that fades quickly to nice lacing. Aromas of sweet roasted chestnuts, licorice, coffee, and oak. The body is dark, but not so thick as to stain the sides of the glass - as black as a heavily roasted caramel. Nicely drinkable, with the bourbon mellowing the oak, faint notes of molasses or maple syrup. One of the top stouts from an exceptional season (08-09) of dark beers. I’ve got to find some bottles of this one before they all go away.

Probably the best brew made by Full Sail, should be made again if possible. Lots of bourbon, vanilla, oak, and roast malts in the flavor, aroma, and palate. Not to thick and not too thin. Not as perfect as GI BCS, but damn near it.

Crushed with Jakebra. Everything here is dominated by the whiskey. Very overwhelming at first, but once it warms a bit it mellows and molds into the flavor much better. Got some woody notes, definite vanilla, and of course more whiskey. I asked the dude at the store how good this was, and his response was, "You can put anything in a bourbon barrel and it’ll be good." Smart dude. I still think it’s dominated a little too much by the bourbon. A slow-sipper to be sure.

22oz bottle 3/8/09 (Courtesy of after4ever Thanks)-Pours a jet black with a small tight head and an aroma of bourbon, vanilla, oak, chocolate, coffee, and toffee. The flavor begins with bourbon, vanilla, and oak which lasts throughout and finishes with a bit of alcohol. This full bodied brew is very well balanced and great tasting. Good Job.