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Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout
Goose Island Beer Co.
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 14.9%
- Score:
- 100
- Avg:
- 4.59 | pDev: 7.63%
- Reviews:
- 556
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 10, 2024
- Added:
- Nov 08, 2009
- Wants:
- 1,551
- Gots:
- 536
Bourbon County Brand Stout spiced with fresh vanilla beans.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Sparty1224:
Reviewed by Sparty1224 from Michigan
4.71/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
4.71/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Serving: 1 Pt. 0.9 Fl. oz. bottle poured into a GI BCBS snifter. Bottled on 9/6/18, making this just over 6 months old.
A: Pitch black, but pours a bit thinner then BCBS.
S: Trying to pin down this exact vanilla aroma. It's got some sponge cake in it, marshmallow, vanilla extract. It's more sweet and candy-like than it is thick and rich.
T: Huge vanilla up front, a bit richer and full than it was on the nose. Got some oak, char, molasses, and a hint of coconut.
M: Definitely the thinnest of the BCBS bunch. Also on the boozier side for some reason.
O: Ah, OG Vanilla. Never had it back in '09-'10, but I did have the newer Rye variant in 2014. Almost 3 years ago today I reviewed that beer, and looking back, I had some similar things to say as this one. I feel like Vanilla is always held in high regard as one of the best BCBS beers. But for some reason, I'm always a bit let down by it. It's still boozy, it's still a touch thin, and it just doesn't feel like it pulls the best traits out of regular BCBS. Now, don't confuse this with me hating the beer. It's still a magnificent beer, and I'm gonna drink it all day. But compared to the hype it receives, it just misses the mark. I'd much rather prefer regular BCBS, or a good Prop, or a fruity variant.
Recommendation: A very old, classic beer makes its return, and it's for sure worth it if you're a fan of BCBS.
Mar 10, 2019A: Pitch black, but pours a bit thinner then BCBS.
S: Trying to pin down this exact vanilla aroma. It's got some sponge cake in it, marshmallow, vanilla extract. It's more sweet and candy-like than it is thick and rich.
T: Huge vanilla up front, a bit richer and full than it was on the nose. Got some oak, char, molasses, and a hint of coconut.
M: Definitely the thinnest of the BCBS bunch. Also on the boozier side for some reason.
O: Ah, OG Vanilla. Never had it back in '09-'10, but I did have the newer Rye variant in 2014. Almost 3 years ago today I reviewed that beer, and looking back, I had some similar things to say as this one. I feel like Vanilla is always held in high regard as one of the best BCBS beers. But for some reason, I'm always a bit let down by it. It's still boozy, it's still a touch thin, and it just doesn't feel like it pulls the best traits out of regular BCBS. Now, don't confuse this with me hating the beer. It's still a magnificent beer, and I'm gonna drink it all day. But compared to the hype it receives, it just misses the mark. I'd much rather prefer regular BCBS, or a good Prop, or a fruity variant.
Recommendation: A very old, classic beer makes its return, and it's for sure worth it if you're a fan of BCBS.
More User Ratings:
Rated by moysauce from Illinois
2.94/5 rDev -35.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
2.94/5 rDev -35.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.75
I've had this several times since release and every time it is an absolutely cloying nightmare.
Mar 10, 2024Reviewed by Sound_Explorer from Washington
4.2/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.2/5 rDev -8.5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
2018 bottle in December 2023:
Aged quite well. Very nicely balance not being too sweet but the vanilla is still there to enjoy. Aroma a feel are spot on still. Enjoyed with friends.
Dec 03, 2023Aged quite well. Very nicely balance not being too sweet but the vanilla is still there to enjoy. Aroma a feel are spot on still. Enjoyed with friends.
Reviewed by Lucular from Maryland
3.74/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
3.74/5 rDev -18.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.5
2018 bottle split with a friend. Looks great, smells fine (though not as much vanilla as I'd expect, even at 5 years), but...this has a strong up front flavor of Mr. Pibb. Not Dr. Pepper, not Vanilla Coke - it's unmistakably Mr. Pibb. Takes me right back to my college dining hall. Very, very strange.
Nov 15, 2023Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts
4.37/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.37/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2018 vintage
Yet another beast of a beer I got in a BIF from @Eziel! This was one of the first beers I had marked as a “want” when I joined BA, so finally getting to try it is huge. I’m very excited so let’s just get into it
Pours a very dark brown with a finger od dark tan head that fades to a thin ring and leaves minimal lacing
The nose here is super authentically vanilla, much more bean-y than creamy. I’m picking up on aromas of vanilla bean, dark chocolate, chewy fig, molasses, brown sugar, sweet bourbon, caramel, black cherry, and a touch of fruity coffee
It’s not quite as nuanced in taste, and I think the vanilla has faded into something a tad bitter, but it’s still damn tasty. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting milk chocolate, fruity coffee, french vanilla, sweet bourbon, caramel, and a touch of oak. The swallow brings notes of slightly bitter vanilla bean, fig, dark chocolate, fruity coffee, sticky caramel, and a touch of brown sugar
A medium full body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick and oily beer. Finishes slightly sticky but drinks below its abv
This one is great, as are most BCBS variants. I wish I got to try this one a bit fresher, but it’s a treat either way
Jun 05, 2022Yet another beast of a beer I got in a BIF from @Eziel! This was one of the first beers I had marked as a “want” when I joined BA, so finally getting to try it is huge. I’m very excited so let’s just get into it
Pours a very dark brown with a finger od dark tan head that fades to a thin ring and leaves minimal lacing
The nose here is super authentically vanilla, much more bean-y than creamy. I’m picking up on aromas of vanilla bean, dark chocolate, chewy fig, molasses, brown sugar, sweet bourbon, caramel, black cherry, and a touch of fruity coffee
It’s not quite as nuanced in taste, and I think the vanilla has faded into something a tad bitter, but it’s still damn tasty. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting milk chocolate, fruity coffee, french vanilla, sweet bourbon, caramel, and a touch of oak. The swallow brings notes of slightly bitter vanilla bean, fig, dark chocolate, fruity coffee, sticky caramel, and a touch of brown sugar
A medium full body pairs with gentle carbonation, resulting in a slick and oily beer. Finishes slightly sticky but drinks below its abv
This one is great, as are most BCBS variants. I wish I got to try this one a bit fresher, but it’s a treat either way
Reviewed by beerookie from Ohio
4.83/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.83/5 rDev +5.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
I was fortunate to share a bomber of 2010 with two other friends. This beer was the most impressive beer I have ever drank! Every aspect of this was world class and the only reason my rating isn't straight 5's is because it is so rich that you can't enjoy more than a few ounces.
The three of us are all experienced barrel aged stout drinkers and it was genuinely difficult to drink 8 ounces of it.
Imagine the most rich and decadent dessert you have ever tasted? And now imagine eating three pieces of it?
If you ever get the chance to drink this, make sure you have not ruined your pallet and make sure you have the righ number of people to share 2-3 ounces each.
Mar 12, 2022The three of us are all experienced barrel aged stout drinkers and it was genuinely difficult to drink 8 ounces of it.
Imagine the most rich and decadent dessert you have ever tasted? And now imagine eating three pieces of it?
If you ever get the chance to drink this, make sure you have not ruined your pallet and make sure you have the righ number of people to share 2-3 ounces each.
Reviewed by Holderness from Massachusetts
4.46/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
On tap at Lulu's, Allston
L -- The usual BCBS jet black with a finger of dense brown head. Some retention and lacing
S -- Rich fudge, caramel, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, nougat. The vanilla melds well with the barrel notes, imparting a frosting-like character without being overwhelming
T -- Largely follows the nose. A bit more akin to the base BCBS than expected - the vanilla really fades away into the natural flavors of the base stout and barrel notes
F -- Thick and oily, maybe not as velvety as the best
90/100
Dec 12, 2021L -- The usual BCBS jet black with a finger of dense brown head. Some retention and lacing
S -- Rich fudge, caramel, toffee, bourbon, vanilla, nougat. The vanilla melds well with the barrel notes, imparting a frosting-like character without being overwhelming
T -- Largely follows the nose. A bit more akin to the base BCBS than expected - the vanilla really fades away into the natural flavors of the base stout and barrel notes
F -- Thick and oily, maybe not as velvety as the best
90/100
Reviewed by drdiesel9483 from Ohio
4.53/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.53/5 rDev -1.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Look - black and thick with a slight head but really nice with great lacing
Smell - vanilla cigar with a nice roasty malts caramelly and wood barrel
Taste - vanilla Tabaco but lots of woody barrel and caramel
Feel - full body with a very light carb and creamy
Overall - not as good as I hoped
Sep 05, 2021Smell - vanilla cigar with a nice roasty malts caramelly and wood barrel
Taste - vanilla Tabaco but lots of woody barrel and caramel
Feel - full body with a very light carb and creamy
Overall - not as good as I hoped
Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Stout from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating:
100 out of
100 with
2011 ratings
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