Barrel-aged imperial stout Imperial Stout brewed with black strap molasses and spices, aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels Our ninth vintage of an annual favorite, this year’s Tough Love remains true to form. Banished to select bourbon barrels under controlled conditions for nearly a year, rich overtones of dark roasted malt, oak-smoked wheat and malted rye give way to delicate notes of velvety chocolate, vanilla, and dried cherries. 14% (from 2021 label) Tough Love is bold but nuanced, an homage of sorts to the traditional Russian Imperial Stouts and the ruling style of Catherine the Great. We construct it with dark roasted malts, malted rye, and oak-smoked wheat, and then banish it in Kentucky bourbon barrels. The aging process smooths out the edges on an otherwise bold statement, and bitterness succumbs to tender strokes of vanilla beans, hints of dried cherries, and new layers revealing themselves with each sip. (Released annually in November)