Bourbon County Brand Stout
Goose Island Beer Co.

Way too syrupy. It’s like someone reduced a port and then mixed it with a flat Guinness.

 

 

Goose Island Bourbon County imperial stout.

Now I must say, this is quite quite good. Like very good. Somewhere between a good stout and an aged whiskey, which isn't a surprise based on the drink itself. That being said, it does not exemplify the thing I like most about beer so far being, drinkability. I do like the refreshing nature of a beer quite a bit and that is the only thing I'd say is absent here.

At 14.3 percent, it's quite high for a beer, and you feel a lingering alcohol taste towards the end. It is accompanied by some sweet notes like date and chocolate though.

Mouthfeel is very unique in that somehow the bubbles feel thick. Like the consistency is buttery and but the bubbles feel heavy for some reason bringing out a very odd and unique, but not off putting, almost soupy texture. Mouthfeel end notes are sticky and also a little velvety or caramel-like.

Smell is a little sour and very malt forward, slightly fruity and even slightly-er herby.

If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend. I've been sipping as I write this and am appreciating it more and more. One hell of a beer. If you do grab one, the only thing I can say is that it's not smashable, but should be enjoyed slowly.

 

 

 

Finally getting to try this. 2022 vintage, poured from bottle into a snifter.

Look: Black-brown-red, thick, oily. Very thin light brown head, no retention except a tiny ring.

Smell: Oh wow. Damn, this is pulling no punches. Chocolate, coffee, caramel, malt, bourbon, dark bread, and the tiniest hints of vanilla beans, raisins, and bananas. Incredibly complex.

Taste: YUUUUUP. Heavyweight, but incredibly smooth at the same time. Lots of the chocolate, with the vanilla bean and caramel notes playing second and third fiddle. Heavy maltiness and bourbon character, but still incredibly smooth with very little burn for the ABV. Raisin note is slightly present in the back, as well as the faintest banana peeking through once the malt onslaught begins to fade.

Feel: Thick but only slightly oily on the palette, light but lingering carbonation. Sticks around a bit, but in a pleasant way and doesn't overstay its welcome. Very slightly syrupy. Really pleasant.

Overall: Masterclass of an imperial stout. Has more distinct flavour impressions than most stouts with adjuncts, but is still perfectly balanced. Deserves the hype.

 

Opened the 2019 bottle that has been aging in my cellar. Poured into a tulip glass. The chocolate colored head quickly dissipated. Midnight color, smell was extraordinary complex consisting of a beautiful bouquet of chocolate, alcohol, fine whiskey, and espresso. Taste was exceedingly complex. The stout lingered on my palate forever, it seemed. Take your time to sip this beauty as it has a high alcohol content. Overall, a warm stout to enjoy in the midst of a winter storm, near a fireplace. Well done.

 

 

2022.

A- Pours a beautiful black oily color, perfectly opaque. Hardly any head

S-Wow. Rich chocolate, plums, oak,espresso, a bit of whiskey. Probably the best smelling beer I’ve had the pleasure of smelling.

T-Chocolate, bourbon, oaky goodness, raisins, coffee. Can’t believe this is 14.5 percent ABV.

M- Rich and oily

O- It’s incredible. It lives up to the hype.

Pours a deep brown, nearly black.

The smell is very reminiscent of whiskey due to the barrel aging. Slight alcohol tinge, but very fruity and sweet smelling. The smell is like raisins or figs. There is a slight fermentation flavor that reminds me of wine, likely due to the high ABV.

The flavor is very sweet and low in bitterness. The flavor is extremely malty, and fruity. The taste seems like a cross between a high malt beer, a wine, and a bourbon. Notes of figs, raisins, trailed by syruppy molasses and fermentation flavors.

The mouthfeel is thick and syrupy.

A very excellent beer

This is my favorite stout beer. Since I live in the Chicago area, it's easily accessible. I see some reviews that state KBS is as good or better. I'm writing this review to say that is false.

 

 

Pours very dark. Dark tan foam. Heavy bourbon aroma. Big flavors. Chocolate, caramel, and oak. Very complex but well balanced. Strong alcohol finish. Beyond excellent. Best imperial stout I've ever had.

 

Look: Pours obsidian black with a very light, copper-colored head.

Smell: Strong whiskey and vanilla aromas, along with fudge and coffee.

Taste: Silky smooth bourbon and vanilla taste, I’m also getting the hints of chocolate and coffee, and there is also some caramel going on as well. The oak is present as it goes down and just finished the taste perfectly.

Feel: Man this is too smooth for how heavy it is. The feel is heavy but this is easily drinkable and just paints the palette with a velvety finish.

Overall: Absolute dynamite for the style, this is one of the best out there and lives up to the hype.