 CaptainCougar (4663), Rockville, Maryland, USA
Nov 26, 2003 Updated: Sep 27, 2006
Rerate of 1/05 batch: Aroma has mellowed some revealing a little oxidation and more earthy, roasty caramel dripping with bourbon. Still reveals some alcohol as it warms and sweet viscous malt. Seems to have aged fairly well, but will probably get even better.
Rerate on 4/11/06 of the January ’05 batch: Pours a viscous oily opaque with a thin covering of dark tan swirls and spotty lacing. Sweet candy dark chocolate bourbon aroma is just as great as ever with nice vanilla and oak subtleties. Body starts with lots of sweet, sticky, caramel malt, nice dark fruit complexity, some brown sugar and vanilla toward a lightly roasted, warming bourbon finish. This has got another couple of good years in it.
Rerate on 12/19/05: This is the third bottled batch I believe (8/16/05) and seems a bit too warm to live up the previous version. I’ll let it sit for a while and see how it progresses.
Rerate on 2/19/05 side by side tasting of the 2003 batch aged just over a year and the latest batch bottled on 1/5/05: New bottle pours a tremendously thick oily opaque black with a finely lacing frothy dark brown head. Old bottle is a little less viscous and the head is a little lighter in color and thinner. The older bottle seems to have a more pronounced bourbon aroma, while the new one is more subdued and malty with nice dark fruit presence. A slight touch of butterscotch oxidation is present in the older version toward its finish along with some bourbon oaky alcohol felt deep in my throat. The new version is much thicker and maltier with nice sticky caramel throughout and a great complex bourbon balance. The only negative thing is the warming acidic alcohol that doesn’t show up until it hits my stomach. Otherwise, this new version is a sure winner. Thanks JCW!
Bottle rated on 11/26/03: Rich oily black with little carbonation and a thin ring of light brown foam. Heavy, complex roasted malt and bourbon oak aroma with a sweet dark cherry fruitiness. Thick robust syrupy sweet dark chocolate body is very well balanced with a tart, but complex bourbon oaky flavor. Wonderful complexity throughout and a lightly alcoholic, but enjoyable finish. Smooth sweet, roasty and lingering. This is perhaps the best barrel aged beer I’ve had. Thank you EddieG!
Vac (2253), San Diego, California, USA
Oct 1, 2008 Pours with a black body topped by a thin, brown head wtih a little lacing. It’s sweet and full of vanilla and bourbon notes as well as a slight hint of roast. The bourbon notes are overpowering and take away from the stout flavor istead of complimenting it. Full bodied, smooth and warming.
Pawola22 (91), Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Sep 28, 2008 2007 12oz bottle. Pours a very oily looking, jet black. A dark and runny lacing after a minimal chocolate head disappears very quickly. A very strong aroma, I can smell it from at least an arms length away. Lots of vanilla and bourbon. More sweet than roasty although its still present. Woody/oak, dark chocolate caramel, and a mellow fruit background. Fantastic. Mouthfeel is very slick, oily, and smooth with a medium feel. Taste is incredible. Immediate abundance of flavor including chocolate, sweet caramel malts, oak and bourbon casting, and a vanilla backing. The middle kicks in with a very balancing bitterness and a sweet, mellow fruitiness resembling prunes. It finishes incredibly balanced and easy, drying very slowly throughout the aftertaste. Leaves a nice lingering bitterness and a delightful alcohol warmth unlike any beer I’ve had. VERY warming. Overall, this is a fantastic imp. stout. I would love to compare this to Bells Expedition. Great balance, love the bourbon oak smell/taste, fantastic finishing quality. Its a real temptress.
fiver29 (325), Strongsville, Ohio, USA
Sep 24, 2008 Bottle pours pitch black with a thin chocolate looking head. Aroma is amazing. Bourbon, chocolate, bourbon, roasted malts, vanilla, and did I mention bourbon? Has a very dense and heavy mouthfeel with some carbonation. Flavor is just what the doctor ordered. Hot bourbon, roasted malt, chocolate, caramel, dark roasted coffee, and alcohol. Overall, this is one of my favorite beers. This is an over the top, bourbon in your face brew. This is what makes it one of my favorites. Its also its biggest weakness. I really like the over the top bourbon, but enjoy a more balanced bourbon flavor even more.
Rynoplasty (234), Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Sep 21, 2008 Pours black with a small dark tan head. Aroma is malty with dark chocolate and oak coming through. There is a big malt vanilla flavor as well with a big warming finish. Good stuff.
KimJohansen (4285), Copenhagen V, Denmark
Sep 20, 2008 Black with tiny beige head. Sweet aroma with roasted malt, bourbon, chocolate and vanilla notes. Sweet flavour with roasted malt, chocolate, bourbon, coffee nougat and warming alcohol towards the end.
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