Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quadrupel 2015

Boulevard Bourbon Barrel Quadrupel 2015.
11.8 % ABV. 19 IBU.
Boulevard Brewing, Kansas City, MO.

Slightly hazy, medium crimson, near Burgundy, slim, brief head.

In the nose: Quadrupel aromatics hit first, big, bright Belgian-esque, sweet, malty, funky. Spicy, fruity, deep.

In the mouth: Fierce alcohol blast the palate first, then comes the malt, the Belgian yeast, the bourbon barrel effects, vanilla, dark fruits, little bit of licorice, touch of maple. all kinds of cocoa. All kinds of wow coming out of this bottle.

So much going on here. The Quad is one thing, the bourbon adding more. This is one that is best shared, doing an entire bottle on my own is quite a feat. Hot, potent and highly expressive. Boom, boom, boom, boom.

My notes left off there. They often do after "Boom, boom, boom, boom", which you have to read in the voice of John Lee Hooker. This was one of my favorite beers of recent times. Absolutely luxurious in every sense. Just about perfect. I haven't returned to this one much since it was first released, but this well-cellared bottle has proven me a fool. Definitely belongs in everyone's cellar.

Based loosely on the Smokestack Series’ The Sixth Glass, this abbey-style quadrupel is separated into a number of oak bourbon barrels where it ages for varying lengths of time, some for up to three years. Cherries are added to make up for the “angel's share” of beer lost during barrel aging. Selected barrels are then blended for optimum flavor. The resulting beer retains only very subtle cherry characteristics, with toffee and vanilla notes coming to the fore.

And her is my original review....from December 2008:

Caramel brown body, great carbonation, head's a fizzing, bubbling pool of brownish beige. Simmers down aquick.

Cola notes hit the nose at first, nuts...malt...now comes the whiskey notes, and now the Belgian yeast, and here it is a very Belgian strong dark ale/ quad with whiskey overtones. A beautiful combination. Never ever dreamed of a bourbon barrel quad, but damn, it seems natural now.

Let's drink!
Sweetness, fruit, & booze. Rich malt. And absolute joy. Like whiskey made mellow, the harsh edge of the alcohol made smooth, when married with the brew. Sparkling with the Belgian magic. Vanilla? Yeah...Toffee? A little. And the cherries are still there, with the warmth and the leathery lick of the bourbon still kicking. Warm amd wet. hot and hearty, whiskey meets wonderful.

Long finish, full body, luxurious mouthfeel, nearly decadent flavor. This is a rare and delicious treat.