Drekker Flizzard Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

 Drekker Flizzard Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout With ice cream, Oreos, cacao nibs, and milk sugar. 

12.5 % ABV, Drekker Brewing, Fargo, North Dakota. 

Here he have a beer that I would never have purchased on my own. The price is usually prohibitive and the ingredients go against my principles. But my nephew brought it to Christmas and gave it to me, so I suppose that I had better drink it. 

Full on ebony, complete opacity, tight brown ring.

In the nose: cocoa and cookies, dark chocolate, fudge. Whispers of crème filling. Hints of nougat. So much richness.

In the mouth: more richness, more depth, more chocolate explosion on the palate. Not sure how ice cream contributes to anything, it’s a gimmicky additive, if nothing else. Why use it? 

Full body, full flavor, loads of deep delights. And cookies! Yay! Cookies…whee!

Oreo®️ Flizzard is the first of what will be a whole series of stupidly fun Flizzard stouts. This one was built on a blended base stout from some of our favorite barrels, and conditioned on ice cream, oreos, and milk sugar.

I will now shut up and….just drink…

Sisyphus It’s Not On the Menu Double Barrel Imperial Stout

 Sisyphus It’s Not On the Menu Double Barrel Imperial Stout. Buffalo Trace & J. Carver Bourbon barrels.

13.5 % ABV. Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis , Minnesota.

For much of 2022, there was a special beer on tap at Sisyphus that you could only order if you were, you know, in the know. At last, I’m sitting down with a bottle of It’s Not on the Menu. 

Solid ebony, strictly opaque, brief brown head. 

In the nose: molasses, cocoa, caramel, vanilla and whiskey all the way. Charcoal and cherry. Smoke and oak. 

In the mouth: bombardment of riches deployed upon the palate. Much deliciousness. Super double massive attack. Cocoa and caramel, roast and toast. Low bitterness, but sweet is kept in check, too. Big and balanced. Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom. 

All the goodness unfolds deliciously. Cherry and chocolate wrapped up in bourbon. Layers and layers of delight. 

I may need to buy a few more of these. A speakeasy double bba ris, utterly unmarketed, is a magical thing. A wonderful, magical thing. 

Revolution Straight Jacket BBA Barleywine

 Revolution Straight Jacket BBA Barleywine. Bourbon barrel aged English Barleywine.

15.8% ABV, 30 IBU. Revolution Brewing, Chicago, IL.

Largely opaque, dark brown color, slim tan  head. (Starts nice, then leaves swiftly.)

In the nose: massive bourbon barrel, oak, caramel, vanilla, ash, all hanging out high on top of a barleywine.

In the mouth: hot at the start, then big time sweetness. Bourbon barrel has command, but the barleywine keeps coming through. Dark fruits, cherries, date, etc al, making the scene. Unrestrained. Not quite out of control. But could be mistaken for such. 

15.8%? What? Good thing I’m heading to bed...

This is maybe four months old, but I’m curious what a few years would do. 

Our Barleywine Ale features American and Belgian malts which provide the base of this extraordinary ale. After 12 months in bourbon barrels the award-winning Straight Jacket emerges with notes of stone fruit, toasted coconut, molasses, and vanilla coming in waves as you swirl the glass.

Oliphant Brewing Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Blizzard of ‘91 Pecan Pumpkin Pie Ale

 Oliphant Brewing Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Blizzard of ‘91 Pecan Pumpkin Pie Ale.

Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, WI.

Mostly clear, slightly clouded, deep amber hued, slim head atop.

In the nose: big pumpkin spice, clove, allspice, cinnamon. I’m searching for bourbon barrel and coming up empty, so far. Maybe a whiff, under the spice.

In the mouth: okay, now it’s coming through, the vanilla, oak and berries, the leather and whiskey. Spice is still on top, whiskey hasn’t conquered yet. I want more. This checks me for all the times I thought that the barrel covered up too much of the base beer. And it is also the fault I have found with Oliphant bourbon barrel projects. Something in-between, perhaps. 

More flavors unfold, brown sugar, molasses, ...and just that hint of the barrel. 

As is, it’s a nice in-between balance, but worthy of $7 a can? Maybe not so much. Let it rest longer, fellas. Let the bourbon in. 

Deschutes The Abyss Barrel Aged Imperial Stout Reserve Series

 Deschutes The Abyss Barrel Aged Imperial Stout Reserve Series.

11.7 % ABV. Deschutes Brewery, Bend, OR. 

Absolute ebony. Terminal opacity. Rich tan head rests above.

In the nose: Boom. There's the bourbon, there's the barrel. Charcoal, smoke, molasses. Deep rivers of chocolate. I could sniff this for days. 

In the mouth: richness and hugeness, together at last. Full bodied, deep, swimming in chocolate, molasses, espresso. Slightly sweet, a touch of  bitter, altogether deep, vast, abyssmal. This is the sort of beer that I love to climb into and stay with for a very long time. Luxuriate and meditate. Dip me in and cover me up. Let it all roll over and surround me. Let in seep in every corner and satisfy my soul. I want to live in it, not just drink it. I need it to surround me, capture me, give me strength. It makes me say all kinds of meaningless, archly poetic kind of pretentious crap that most folks encourage in their rock lyrics but mock in their beer descriptions. 

All that aside, this is about as good as it gets.

Oh, wait, no, it would be better with marshmallows. Yeah, add marshmallows. And cookies! Throw in some cookies. And what else? Oh, this crap I scraped off of my shoe, that would be tasty, let's throw that in ....ooo, yeah, ...um, needs more...shoelace! Get it nice and lacey, oh, yeah....my old leather belt! That would add some texture, sure...oh, we're on a roll, now! 

Brewed with black strap molasses, licorice and dry-spiced with both cherry bark and vanilla beans. In addition, 50 percent of the beer was aged in oak bourbon, oak wine and new American oak barrels

New Holland Dragon's Milk 2021 Reserve 3

New Holland Dragon's Milk 2021 Reserve 3. Bourbon barrel-aged stout with salted caramel. 

11% ABV. New Holland Brewing, Holland, MI. 

Full ebony, absolute opacity, rich brown head. 

In the nose: Sweetness. Caramel. And just below, the bourbon. But, heavy on the caramel. Salted, even. 

In the mouth: More sweet, more caramel. More yum a dum dum. Except that there is nothing else. Nothing but salted caramel dripping over a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout. It's down there, somewhere. There's some cocoa and dark fruit, but covered up in caramel. And if you like that, it's okay. 

Much sweetness. Minor bitterness. Very tasty. I like this for a once in a while treat. 

The final Reserve of 2021 is an ode to one of our favorite releases. Our latest legend is aged for three months in select bourbon barrels and layered with sweet and salty caramel flavors. The result is a truly indulgent brew best described as dessert in a glass.

Brooklyn Black Ops Four Roses

Brooklyn Black Ops Four Roses 2021. Russian Imperial Stout. 

12.4 % ABV. Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY. 

I remember when I began my current stint in retail, there was a bomber of this one on the shelf, and I was interested, but that $20+ price tag? No, no, no. It sat for many months. Then, a week or so ago, this version came out, 4 packs of 16 ounce cans for $14. Hell, yes. There were two left on the shelf, out of two flats (12 four-packs), when I grabbed this. Probably all gone by now. Let's drink one, and, as long as I have a bottle, do a shot of Four Roses with it. 

Solid blackness, thoroughly opaque, short brown head that slims down quickly. 

In the nose: Bourbon screams out of there, big barrel flavor, add to that cocoa, licorice, huge vanilla, charcoal, cherries, ...the whole magilla. Enormous nose. 

In the mouth: Massive. Amazing. I'm drinking this colder than I should. I have never been one to cup a glass to warm it. Something about that seems excessively geeky. I'll let my patience do the trick, as it warms in my belly. Again, though, this is gigantic, huge. It's a fantastic trip, big bourbon, big stout. Boom, boom, boom, boom. A very nice nightcap, this. Sweet dreams, everyone. 

The rumors are true: Brooklyn Black Ops is real, and it is delicious. This vintage of Black Ops was aged in Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon barrels to call forth big chocolate and coffee notes and a rich, mellow underpinning of vanilla-like oak. It’s a legend in a glass.

Rush River Arise Coconut Vanilla Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout 2019

Rush River Arise Coconut Vanilla Bourbon Barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout.

11 % ABV. Rush River Brewing, River Falls, WI. 

Complete and total blackness, slim brown head, total opacity. 

In the nose: Chocolate hits first, cocoa, mucho malt, and then the coconut meets the bourbon. Some vanilla. Lots of espresso. A bit o' cherries. 

In the mouth: Thick. Slick. Humungous. Huge malt. Ridiculous. Chocolate and coffee reign supreme, with coconut and vanilla coming in as a cameo. Rich and delicious. 

And that's where my notes end. It was my sixth beer of the evening. Looking back, I said all I needed to say. I did not know that Rush River even made an Imperial Stout until I visited the brewery last fall and bought a few bottles. They like to keep things nice and secret out there. 

Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel

Ommegang Double Barrel Dubbel. "Velvety. Smooth. Majestic." Belgian-style dubbel ale brewed with spices. Aged in brandy and bourbon barrels. 

9.9% ABV. 20 IBU. Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Clouded, burgundy hued, slim, brief, magenta-toned head.

In the nose: Boom! Wow! Fruit at first, then the barrels, brandy takes hold, bourbon creeps in, cherries, vanilla, oak, caramel, and a dubbel lurks below. Mmm. Ah.

In the mouth: Grape, berries, cocoa, caramel, bittersweet. Alcohol starts in early and stays strong. Boom, boom, boom, boom! A few more sips in and the dubbel below (how I miss Ommegang Abbey Ale!) reveals itself, that special Special B malt character that I adore. Fruity, nutty, chocolatey, and all things Belgian, all at once. Bit of molasses. The very definition of Yum a Dum Dum. Rich, luxurious, delicious, complex, and ...just, damn. 

Unfortunately, this is my last bottle. I may have to leave the safety of the retail store where I currently work and look for some establishment that still has some. It's just the best. Wow meets wow. 

This luxurious brew begins with a big, beautiful Abbey Dubbel which then heads to our cellar, where it's gracefully aged for six months in a mix of bourbon and brandy casks. This blend of barrels adds an additional layer of flavor and complexity to what is already an incredibly layered drinking experience. The result is a beer worthy of slow-sipping, and deep contemplation. A beautiful fusion of dark fruit, caramel, molasses, and bourbon. Sip and enjoy, but be warned, Double Barrel Dubbel may result in a spiritual awakening. 

Drekker The Nightman Cometh Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout

Drekker The Nightman Cometh Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout.

9.5% ABV, Drekker Brewing, Fargo, ND.

Full ebon, complete opacity, slim brown head. 

In the nose: Molasses, charcoal, dark fruit, deep malt, chocolate, coffee, vanilla and cherries, oak and whiskey. All the usual suspects are in full attendance. 

In the mouth: Sweetness, chocolate, espresso, all the deep, dark goodness. Decadence. Richness. Full bodied to the fullest extent. A whiff of smoke, a dip into molasses and treacle and all the dark fruits and a touch of anise, on the side. Woo. Boom. Boom, boom, boom, boom. 

Coming in at 9.5% ABV, this Russian Imperial Stout is intense and complex while staying amazingly smooth and approachable. Begins with the aromas of molasses and raisins and evolving flavors of toffee, chocolate and prune. Finishing slightly dry and acidic, with hints of star anise and the lingering notes of dark roasted malts.

Big Axe Santa’s Helper Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Big Axe Santa’s Helper Barrel Aged Imperial Stout.

10% ABV, 45 IBU, Big Axe Brewing, Nisswa, MN.

In my first few weeks at my new job, I was stationed at a register nearby one of the roller shelves, whose end display hosts large format single bottles, mostly from Minnesota breweries. I watched this lone bottle of a Christmas-themed barrel-aged imperial stout sit by itself in the middle of September, and I had to wonder if it had been there all year long. September is rather early to release a beer named for Santa or his helper. But, I was informed that it was new, and we had sold all but this one. I've been happy with most of the Big Axe output, so I plunked down the $20 for the single 750 ml bottle, something I rarely do. And then I sat on it until just now. Let's look at those notes. 

Strictly ebony, completely opaque, beautiful ring of brown foam serves as cap.

In the nose: Boom. OK, cocoa,  coffee, vanilla, dark fruits, cherries, raisins. It’s a big one.

In the mouth: Thick, rich, bittersweet. Fat and woody. Full bodied. Edging towards the fruitier side of the Imperial Stout in this one. And it could use a fuller body. Yeah, I said full, but it’s not quite full enough. 

This could be better, but I still enjoy it. Tasty. Roasty. But just a little short of what I really want.

And this is why I so rarely spend $20 or higher on new single bottles, if you don't know what you're getting. I can't find further information on this one. There's no entry on Untapp'd, or BeerAdvocate, but other barrel aged stouts, yes, just nothing with this name. Wondering how many they released.

No matter, I say give it another try, and give it a little something extra next time. 

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Caramella Ale 2020

 Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Caramella Ale 2020.

Wheatwine ale aged in bourbon barrels with apple, cinnamon and natural caramel flavor.

14.6% ABV, 60 IBU. Goose Island Brewing, Chicago, IL.

Clear, bright ruby color, short, brownish, soon dissipating head.

In the nose: Big caramel, bigger than the bourbon, yet, brimming with richness and sweetness. We’re heading into decadence.

In the mouth: now we get the apples and cinnamon, backed up by caramel, all wrapped around a wheatwine, still aged in bourbon barrels. Whoa. Sweet is the order of the day. And let us not forget strong. Complexity compounds upon complexity. Richness repays richness. And the 14% begins a pleasant softening of the brain matter. Whoa. Apples and cinnamon still pop up among the bourbon and caramel. Mmm. Nice. 

Caramella or ‘candy’ in Italian is a wheatwine aged in Larceny Wheated Bourbon barrels with apple, cinnamon, and natural caramel flavor added after aging. Just like last year, the sweet smoothness from the Larceny Wheated Bourbon barrels adds a lingering warmth that complements the added flavor nuance. It’s nostalgia-inducing flavors are reminiscent of a caramel apple. Our Lead Lab Analyst, Joey Tidei, created this variant as a tribute to his love of seasonal flavors. This luscious embodiment of caramel perfectly paired with a slightly-tart apple flavor will transport you to a crisp Autumn day.

Rush River Arise Russian Imperial Stout

 Rush River Arise Russian Imperial Stout. Bourbon Barrel-aged. 2019 edition. 

11.2 % ABV, Rush River Brewing, River Falls, WI. 

I had no idea that Rush River made a Russian Imperial Stout, let alone a Bourbon barrel-aged version. Do they just sell it at the brewery (where I bought it a few months ago) or their immediately surrounding communities? It certainly doesn't come over here. Let's drink it. 

Distinctly Stygian hued, thoroughly opaque, slim ring of cocoa-tinged foam. 

In the nose: Robust, rich, cocoa, espresso, molasses. Along comes the bourbon notes, the charcoal, vanilla, whiskey barrel, and more. Mmm. Quite nice.

In the mouth: Thick, rich, robust. Intensive. Huge with the malt, barrel flavors, chocolate, maple, molasses, ...laying it on thick. Thick, rich, slick, and huge. Alcohol rings in, now. Much malt, huge thickness, large texture, ...all told, it's pretty damn good. 

This was a luxurious diversion. Hey, Rush River, maybe make some more and share it with the rest of the world. 

Clown Shoes Hephaestus Russian Imperial Stout Aged In Bourbon Barrels with Espresso

Clown Shoes Hephaestus Russian Imperial Stout Aged In Bourbon Barrels with Espresso.

12.5 % ABV, 50 IBU. Clown Shoes Beer, Boston, MA. 

Total blackness, slim brown ring atop. 

In the nose: Rich malt, espresso notes, some cocoa. Small sweetness. 

In the mouth: Huge entrance on the palate, thick and rich. Did they put fudge in this one? (No, I'm kidding.)

Bourbon barrel effects are immense, lots of cherry, vanilla, oak. Deep, cocoa goodness. Coffee stays on top. Tasty stuff. And it's only 12.5 % ABV. Is that all? 

Bourbon really comes through in this one, espresso in the back seat. Huge, either way. Big time bigness. Much richness. Vast bitterness to meet massive malt. I'm digging it. Yum. A dum. Dum. 

Collaboration with The Blacksmith's espresso with the Good, the Bad, and the Unidragon from Clown Shoes. A coffee infused Russian Imperial Stout.

Clown Shoes A Fistful of the Unidragon Russian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels

Clown Shoes A Fistful of the Unidragon Russian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels

12.5 % ABV. 55 IBU. Clown Shoes Brewing, Boston, MA. 

Solid ebony, absolute opacity, slim brown head resting above. 

in the nose: bright fruits, cherries, dates, etc., large cocoa component, hints of coffee, slice of cherry. slight vanilla, lots going on...

In the mouth: Thick. Rich. Viscous. Delicious. Boom, boom, boom, boom. Bourbon barrel effects cover over all. Cheries, vanilla, oak, molasses, and more. Big and rich and deep and full. Large bitterness, overwhelming chocolate. bigness upon bigness. waa, waaa, waa....(that's the Ennio Morriconne theme music playing us out, as if you didn't know)...

Sweet boubon barrel aged stout that packs quite a punch! Notes of chocolate and carmel surface behind a decidedly bourbon backbone. It even has a bit of the burn you would expect from taking a shot. Take it easy on this one! It's delicious but it'll knock you on your bottom!

Stone Bourbon Barrel-aged Arrogant Bastard

Stone Bourbon Barrel-aged Arrogant Bastard.

8.1 % ABV. 100 IBU. 

Stone Brewing, Escondido, CA. 

Fairly clouded, Burgundy-hued, large beige head atop. 

In the nose: Caramel and cocoa. Oak and vanilla. Rich and malty, with barrel effects edging in. Dark fruit delights. 

In the mouth: Oaky and smokey. Rich, sweet, malty, deep and devastating. Cherry and vanilla and deep bourbon barrel goodness. Big hop bitterness meets massive malt. Huge. Intoxicating. Delirious. Take your time, but take your chances. It's a biggie. More dark fruit deliciousness. 

Good stuff here. Just one a day, though, for real. Do it nice and moderate-like. K?

I, from a slumber that’s been anything but peaceful. I don’t take kindly to idling and I am anything but neutral. Life has nothing to do with killing time, and the knowledge that months have passed since the onset of my sequestering in this pitch-black oaken tomb (albeit a barrel flush with brilliant aromas of vanilla and char) does not sit well. But then comes a tingle followed by rejuvenating warmth, signs that something is different…something has changed…and for the better.

I feel stronger yet somehow more nimble and refined. I feel even more self-assured, and my vision for what is good and right, honest and true, is as laser-sharp as the brawny, bawdy, liquid Arrogance that shall further advance my battle against all things mediocre and geared toward the lowest common denominator. I have been born anew and, in the process, anointed with vibrant, inspiring, previously unexperienced character, all while maintaining everything I am and have always been—bold, bullish, unadulterated, and yes, Arrogant. 

Are you Worthy of quaffing a beverage of this intensity, irreverence and quality craftsmanship? Not likely, but for those who “get it,” I know my time in this bourbon barrel has not been wasted. Cheers to you, enlightened imbiber. On second thought, cheers to me! 

Three Floyds Pillar of Beasts

 Three Floyds Pillar of Beasts. 

Barley-wine style ale brewed with salted caramel aged in oak barrels.

14.5 % aBV. 16 IBU. Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, IN. 

This was an unusually expensive one for me. $25 a 4-pack, over $6 a bottle. Was it worth it? Yeah. In fact, I may get another, just to save for special occasions. 

Dark brown coloring, slim, short-lived beige head. 

In the nose: Outsized aromatics, powerful sweetness, caramel and vanilla. Toffee and cocoa, awash in bourbon barrels. Boom, boom, boom, boom, Alcohol starts to scream out. Intense, rich, delicious...now, to taste...

In the mouth: Huge sweetness, major vanilla, incredible caramel. Lush barleywine flavors, covered up in bourbon barrel. So many flavors emerge: vanilla, caramel, rum, brown sugar, dates, dark fruits of all stripes, keeping the sweet train going until the dry comes along. Sweet and rich aplenty. Yum = a dum dum.

Big, bombastic, deliriously delicious. 

Okay, that does it, off to Dreamland...

Somewhere in the distance we hear the pounding of native drums. Was it in our minds? We don't know. What we do know is that we made a salted caramel barley wine, put it in bourbon barrels for 12 months, and added vanilla beans and cocoa nibs. Taste the scrumptiousness.

Sisyphus Jim Beam Me Up Barrel-aged RIS (and part four of Minneapolis Breweries 2020)

On June 27, after La Dona, Jason and I stepped into Sisyphus as the third stop on this sunny Saturday afternoon. It was a quiet one. Andy was behind the bar and Sam, the owner, was enjoying time away from that station. It's been a one-man show throughout all of this, and he keeps pushing that rock, every damned day (except Monday, I learned when I forgot to check the hours). He gets a little help from friends, though. And every one of them is masked-up, gloves on, hand sanitizer at the ready (and available for customers, who are asked to please keep masks on when ordering or when away from their tables. Just about everyone complies.

Unfortunately, there's not much space available for outside seating, and they were thrilled to finally open up the inside. Some tables are removed, some chairs and those things we can't communally touch any more, like water stations and the game collection, are stashed away. On this particular visit, I had a Cucumber Pils, which went down with great ease, and then one of the bourbon barrel stouts in question, poured into plastic. I've noticed it's about half and half when it comes to who's using plastic and who's using glass. The very vague rules and regulations are being interpreted differently, and I can't blame anyone about their particular take. Maybe the ones who are too strict on the "reservations required" business. That's not a factor at Sisyphus, and I'm fine with that.

Comedy shows have returned, with required spacing, but the Open Mic, one of their best event nights of the week, is still postponed.

I asked Sam to break his plastic only rule, just
this once, so I could take this pic.

So, on that Saturday, Jason and I did air-clinks with our beers, he took leave and biked the three hours back to his home, and I finished my stay with an IPA called The First Beer We Named, which I reviewed almost five years ago. I made it back again last Wednesday, and Sam was thrilled at the attendance. Actually, people in here! And all socially distanced, respectful, and courteous. Not as busy as it used to be, in the before times, but getting better.

And I'll pair this report with a review of a crowler took home back on June 12. Nearly a month in the fridge ain't bad, right? It's actually appeared here, before, but this is my take on it from a crowler.



Sisyphus Jim Beam Me Up Barrel-aged RIS.
11.5 % ABV. 80 IBU.
Sisyphus Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Absolute blackness, slim head, complete opacity.

In the nose: spills out solid bourbon notes, hanging over a morass of cocoa, coffee, vanilla, cherries, and an abundance of more malty flavors.

In the mouth: Rich and delicious. Bourbon-barrely all the way. Powerful. Thick, but never too viscous. Full-bodied, long lasting dark malt flavors. It's got all the goods.

We're giving this beer all she's got captain! Better "Jim Beam Me Up" Our latest barrel aged beer release! This imperial stout was aged in a Jim Beam barrel, and the robust aroma lets you know before you even taste it. 

Tons of vanilla and roast notes, that follow you as you take your first sip. The taste finishes with a nice rich cracker/bread note that rounds out the beer. Come in from the Minnesota cold and warm up with one of these!

Modist Barrel Aged 32 Teeth with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla

Modist Barrel Aged 32 Teeth with Cacao Nibs and Vanilla.
Imperial Chocolate Stout aged in bourbon barrels with
Ghana cacao nibs and Madagascar vanilla beans.
11.5 % ABV. Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Black as night, deeply opaque, rich brown head that leaves in a minute.

In the nose: Huge bourbon. Vast chocolate. Intense dark malt flavors. Smoke, char, whiskey a go go.

In the mouth: Big sweetness, massive sweet, gigantic chocolate, fudge, and a river of vanilla swims on in. Thick stuff, rich, viscous, mighty. Immense. Just about overbearing. Incredible, to a fault. Amazingly, bourbon is covered with chocolate, smothered, even, escaping through the edges. Very thick, very rich.

Yeah, pretty much too rich, too sweet...don't give me diabetes! (Thanks to Dave A. for the bottle.)

Barrel Aged 32 Teeth (an exploration of all things chocolate and beer), aged in Four Roses Bourbon Barrels w/ Ghana cacao nibs & Madagascar vanilla beans. 

North Coast Barrel-aged Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout XIX

North Coast Brewing Company Barrel-aged 
Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout XIX.
(19th Anniversary)
Stout aged in bourbon barrels. 11.2 % ABV.
North Coast Brewing, Fort Bragg, CA.

North Coast Brewing has appeared here in the Nib a mere 7 times in the history of this blog, and not once in over 7 years, even though Old Rasputin and Brother Thelonious are two of my all-time favorites. Jumping over to BeerAdvocate, I can see that I've reviewed 16 of their beers. It's not likely that I'll repeat them all here, for some are not easy to find. Such as the XII (12th Anniversary) version of this beer, which was probably the only one I've tried. Twenty-five dollar bottles tend to scare me off. But, I splurged on this one. Happy that some much-needed money fell into my back account while waiting for the world to turn back to normal, I thought I could excuse a little excess. Just a little. So, let's open it up.

Solid ebony appearance, thorough opacity, burnished brown head on top, lasting a little.

In the nose: Bourbon, smoke, chocolate, cherries, licorice. Port, sherry. Mmmm, this I dig.

In the mouth: Warm entrance on the palate, almost fierce and fiery. Chocolate and coffee, wrapped up in leather and smoke, doused with vanilla, dark fruits, bourbon barrel over all of it. Bright, grassy hop presence shines a light above the darkness. Thick and rich, but not too much. Fairly easy flowing, with the alcohol strength just now rearing (roaring) it's head.

I have to wonder what a fresh bottle of this was like. I am drinking a 2016 bottle in 2020, though I bought it four days ago, fresh off of a liquor store shelf. Has it been there the whole time? So many questions. The biggest is: Would this have been bolder, richer, etc. when it was first released? It feels like it's fallen short of it's true potential.

Well one way to find out is to look back. The 12th Anniversary bottling came out in 2009, and I reviewed it immediately. Here are the notes from a fresh bottle, taken 11 years ago:

Bourbon Barrel Old Rasputin, 12

Fully ebon hued, with little foam on top, rather bare capped, at that.

Whiskey hits the nose right off, then blackstrap molasses, leather, bittersweet espresso and cholate...all the usual, banged up with bourbon.

Mmmm, indulgent...thick, rich, dry, delicious. Deep, yet mellow. Actually, this is something lovely. It's ...nearly gorgeous, in the realm of the imperial stout. The whiskey's big in it, but not so big. And when it hits, you feel no pain, to quote Robert Nestor Marley. Yeah, what it is, is groovy. Real groovy.

Full body, full flavor, and amazingly complex. The flavors roll out, and over, up and down. They reverberate, shock a bit, send the waves out on a molecular level.

Tobacco, toast, dry, dark chocolate...mmm, mmm.

I'm pretty pleased, though still not sure whether $21 a bottle is quite fair. 22 ounce, maybe...25 ounce, now, you've got a party!
My second bottle will sit for some time, I think, and be enjoyed to it's fullest.

Here's what the brewery has to say: Every year we age a special batch of our much-loved Russian Imperial Stout in Whiskey barrels. The depth, intensity, and complexity of the flavor profile of this special release, like its predecessors, make it a worthy tribute to Old Rasputin.
Prior to 2010, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin was released in such limited quantities that it was available only at the North Coast Brewing retail shop in Fort Bragg, California. However, we received so many requests for this beer that we began producing enough Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin to put into broader, but still limited, distribution.
Available in 500 ML bottles with a cork and wire finish.
Bourbon Barrel Aged: The most robust expression with a rich toffee nose, chocolate notes, and a silky mouthfeel.