Violet Hour Manhattan Bourbon County Stout
Goose Island Beer Co.

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From:
Goose Island Beer Co.
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
13%
Score:
96
Avg:
4.44 | pDev: 8.33%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
43
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Nov 29, 2019
Added:
Nov 15, 2011
Wants:
  19
Gots:
  1
Imperial Stout aged in a 2nd use Heaven Hill bourbon barrel (10-16 years) that was previously used to aged barrel-aged Manhattan cocktails.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by DrGonzoDDS:
Photo of DrGonzoDDS
Rated by DrGonzoDDS from Illinois

5/5  rDev +12.6%

Feb 16, 2013
More User Ratings:
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois

4.67/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
2014 vintage; drank 9/20/14 @ 312 Urban Block Party.

Midnight black hue.

Dark khaki head; almost no lace.

Sweet maraschino cherry & mild caramel nose. Smells great!

Thick mouthfeel.

A perfect mix of manhattan sweetness with an oak & caramel backbone. Frankly this was incredible.
Nov 29, 2019
Photo of kmatlack
Reviewed by kmatlack from California

4.75/5  rDev +7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2012 hand bottled 12oz from a good friend that shall not be named.

Fucking incredible. Just absolutely amazing.

Smooth bourbon, chocolate, dark fruits: plum, figs, cherry, blackberry. Like bourbon county but much more heavy handed on the cherry. Still a decent amount of alcoholic bite despite its age. Shockingly good carb for being so old and hand bottled.

Bittersweet: So, so good but it will never happen again. It's a damn shame.
Oct 02, 2015
 
Rated: 4.65 by MizzouBeerNerd from Missouri

Dec 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by financebrad from Pennsylvania

Dec 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by Bassguy206 from Illinois

Nov 05, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by WadeBridgman from Illinois

Sep 23, 2014
 
Rated: 4.75 by illinikap from Illinois

Sep 22, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by smartassboiler from Illinois

Sep 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by mrn1ceguy from Illinois

Dec 19, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by vinny21bal from Illinois

Dec 14, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by schmidtmattsays from Illinois

Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by thewimperoo from Illinois

Nov 28, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by roostor07 from Minnesota

Sep 25, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by lunarbrew from Wisconsin

Aug 13, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Anonymous1 from Illinois

Aug 12, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by pk18 from Wisconsin

Aug 12, 2013
Photo of Stevedore
Reviewed by Stevedore from Oregon

4.51/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
On tap at the Great Taste on 8/10/13. Got a hefty 5-6oz pour at the Goose Island booth. This entry is for personal recordkeeping.

As with all the other BCS variants I've ever had, this one looks just about the same. Big black body, thick, viscous and pours with a <1cm mocha head that disappears in a hurry. Leaves a big black liquid in the glass, and leaves a lot to the imagination. The nose is a sweet combination of strawberry (at least I thought so) and floral scents with the same Bourbon County Stout roast malt backbone showing deep rich chocolate, marshmallows, a bit of coconut, some oak and a bit of sweet bourbon. The taste follows through, though unlike the nose it showcases the Bourbon County Stout base more so than the Manhattan cocktail character. The mouthfeel is typical Bourbon County Stout, although I thought it was a bit thicker and more viscous than I remember BCBS ever being. Carbonation is light. Aftertaste is strawberry, bourbon and dark chocolate. Great combination, comes together very well and stays that way even as the beer warms up. Hope to drink this one again someday.
Aug 11, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by powz87 from Illinois

Aug 11, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Florida9 from Illinois

Aug 10, 2013
Violet Hour Manhattan Bourbon County Stout from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 43 ratings