Bourbon Barrel Aged Tunguska
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works

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From:
The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #293
ABV:
11.5%
Score:
91
Ranked #8,017
Avg:
4.1 | pDev: 14.15%
Reviews:
9
Ratings:
35
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 29, 2022
Added:
Oct 17, 2010
Wants:
  3
Gots:
  3
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ChrisMon02:
Photo of ChrisMon02
Reviewed by ChrisMon02 from Ohio

4.27/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
On tap at the Brew Kettle for Ogre Fest. This is the 2014 version.

Poured into a tulip glass-black as night with a small khaki head that leaves sticky lacing around the glass.

Smells of soft bourbon, caramel, coffee, chocolate and coconut.

Taste mimics the noise plus some dark fruits.

Mouthfeel is creamy with low carbonation.

A very well done offering from The Brew Kettle. Very drinkable and shows they are capable of brewing other quality stuff other than White Rajah. Recommended
Feb 25, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of Eddieeight
Reviewed by Eddieeight from Ohio

4.73/5  rDev +15.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Picked this up from the grocery store, a place I never buy beer from, for three reasons: it was reasonably priced at $18 for a four pack, it was local from Cleveland, and i love BBA beer. The artwork is interesting and has a Russian flair to it, and it commemorates the Tunguska event, in which apparently a huge meteor exploded above the earths surface and flattened 800 square miles of trees near the Tunguska river. Interesting story, interesting inspiration for a beer. I pour it out to find it black as night with only a short lived explosion of a head that quickly flattened into a ring around my 4 square inch glass. The smell is pleasing, roast and char and leather with a great bourbon sting to it. The taste is wholly warming and satisfying, bringing about the bitterness of coffee and baking chocolate, as well as some brown sugar and molasses. The bourbon alcohol heat envelops my mouth completely and swallows smooth and sweet. Mouthfeel is thick and rich with very little carbonation. I can’t believe this beer. It’s absolutely fantastic, especially at this price point. I would compare it to some heavier ales and BA stouts I’ve had from Hoppin Frog, who I love. It’s warm, it’s sweet, it’s got a bitter balance, it draws some heat, absolutely fantastic. I think I found a hidden secret and I will be returning to buy plenty of this beer. Plus I get the good feeling of supporting local beer, which is definitely a plus. This is an ace in the hole, what a wonderful way to start a Thursday summer night.
Jul 29, 2022
Photo of Blogjackets
Reviewed by Blogjackets from Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This 12 month barrel aged version of their Russian Imperial stout comes in at 11.5%. Interestingly, the beer is only .1% more than the base stout.

The body is motor oil black and has neither head nor lacing at any point. Carbonation is absent. It’s like drinking a glass of night.

The nose is an inviting mix of bourbon and chocolate, with the latter evident upon study.

The taste inverts the nose attributes with the chocolate moving forward and adding a dark fruit element. The barrel is present, but does not dominate.

Mouthfeel is stout level and the bourbon does not reach a cloying level that many barrel aged stouts do (and often a welcome presence).
Feb 05, 2022
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

4.24/5  rDev +3.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From the 16 oz can in a snifter. This fantastic brew pours a dark coal
black with a decent head of brown foam that sizzles to a thin ring. Nose
of dark cocoa, bourbon, vanilla, dark fruit notes of blueberry and blackberry,
and subtle oak with deep roasted malt with some char in there as well. Flavors
follow nicely with dark cocoa, mellow bourbon, oak, vanilla, blue, black, and raspberry
notes, caramel, brulee, deep roast with nice char, and a touch of anise. Very nice
mouthfeel for such a beast---full body, smooth, rich, coating, low carbonation, warming
bourbon, and a medium dry finish that is roasty and delicious.

Overall, this is one phenomenal brew.

Cheers
Dec 19, 2021
 
Rated: 4.37 by RichRubes610 from Pennsylvania

Dec 06, 2021
Photo of BB1313
Reviewed by BB1313 from Ohio

4.15/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2021 vintage. Canned on 11/18/21. 16oz can poured into a tulip.

Pours almost black; fluffy khaki head that fades leaving decent retention and lacing.

The aromas have lots of chocolate. Some caramel and vanilla. Some dark fruits. The bourbon comes through and blends well with everything. Malts do their thing. The aromas are bold but restrained at the same time. Nothing too crazy, but they simply smell really nice.

The flavors follow the nose. More chocolate leading the way. Lots of dark fruits. Raisins are there. More caramel and vanilla. Some coconut in the mix. Some rye and black pepper. There's a nice subtle spiciness. Some wood and oak. The bourbon isn't shy. It blends well and accentuates everything in the flavor department as well. Solid malt backbone. The alcohol is slightly noticeable. It finishes slightly hot, but it's not boozy or over the top.

Mouthfeel is full-bodied with moderate carbonation. It's fluffy,smooth, slightly creamy and slightly sharp.

This is a really nice barrel-aged stout. It's big and bold while ultimately remaining balanced. It drinks a bit bigger than it is at times, but not in a bad way. They did a really nice job with this vintage. I really like it. This was canned a little over a week ago and it's just fine while fresh, but I can see this one aging very well.
Nov 28, 2021
Photo of pathman
Rated by pathman from Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +9.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12/1/19 draft @ The Brew Kettle Hudson
Dec 02, 2019
 
Rated: 4 by acurtis from New Jersey

Oct 23, 2018
 
Rated: 4 by PhineasMcClintock from Massachusetts

Oct 20, 2018
Photo of Sabtos
Reviewed by Sabtos from Ohio

3.54/5  rDev -13.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Used motor oil black with burnt brown edges and a thin, tan fuzzy ring.

Smell is roasty, nearing smoky cedar with almond and bacon.

Taste is rich and tangy of roasty smoked almonds and a hint of hickory, but it's not too woody.

Body is medium-full with a thick yet light carbonation, finishing semi-dry.

2012 vintage on draft at the Hudson brewpub
Apr 03, 2018
 
Rated: 4.18 by Zonian1 from Ohio

Jun 24, 2017
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Rated by Ohiovania from Ohio

3.52/5  rDev -14.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
Light barrel and too hoppy.
Nov 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.19 by jaydoc from Kansas

Oct 12, 2016
 
Rated: 4.4 by dailyminefield from North Carolina

Mar 18, 2016
 
Rated: 4.5 by JimmyFlatRock from Ohio

Dec 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by Eziel from Ohio

Jun 13, 2015
 
Rated: 4.16 by jfstilling from South Carolina

Apr 29, 2015
Photo of BigRizz62
Rated by BigRizz62 from Maryland

4.38/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Nice bourbon taste. Very drinkable beer. Nice bourbon taste. Very well balanced
Feb 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.94 by wethorseblanket from California

Feb 16, 2015
Bourbon Barrel Aged Tunguska from The Brew Kettle Taproom & Smokehouse / Production Works
Beer rating: 91 out of 100 with 35 ratings