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Bourbon County Brand Reserve 150 Stout
Goose Island Beer Co.
- From:
- Goose Island Beer Co.
- Illinois, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 15.6%
- Score:
- 98
- Avg:
- 4.46 | pDev: 5.83%
- Reviews:
- 29
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Mar 10, 2024
- Added:
- Aug 10, 2021
- Wants:
- 2
- Gots:
- 11
Our Bourbon County Reserve 150 Stout is aged for one year in Old Forester’s 150th Anniversary Bourbon Barrels. To celebrate the anniversary, Old Forester’s hand-picked 150 barrels from resting places within the Old Forester barrelhouse, to create three unique batches honoring founder George Garvin Brown and his process of batching from three original distilleries. These hand-picked, limited-edition barrels—combined with our Imperial Stout—create a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration bourbon and beer fans alike will appreciate and cherish. Expect barrel-forward flavor with notes of chocolate, vanilla, and coconut, followed with molasses, almond, berry, and oak.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by drstalker:
Rated by drstalker from Illinois
4.44/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 25, 2022
4.44/5 rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
May 25, 2022
More User Ratings:
Rated by moysauce from Illinois
4.45/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.45/5 rDev -0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
I really enjoyed this one. Far superior to Blanton's. It was a little hot originally, but with some age it has cooled down and is killer.
Mar 10, 2024Reviewed by Damian from Massachusetts
4.34/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.34/5 rDev -2.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Drank from a 1 pint .9 fl. oz. bottle purchased at Connecticut Beverage Mart, Newington, CT
2021 vintage
25JUL26
Served in a snifter
Review #2300
Like most Bourbon County variants, this poured quite thin for the style. Dark chestnut brown in appearance. The body was topped by a flimsy, light tan cap of froth that quickly transformed into a medium sized, lasting collar. There was no lacing whatsoever.
The aroma was impressive. Quite sweet and boozy. Caramel and toffee notes dominated. Loads of brown sugar too. Raisins and dark fruits also came through strong. Vanilla and bourbon were noticeable as well. Boozy but surprisingly not excessively so given the high ABV.
The flavor profile followed the nose. Rich and malty up front. Big caramel malt notes. Moderate amount of roasted malt character too. Bourbon came through big time as well. Good dose of vanilla in the center. Hint of coconut. The boozy bourbon presence intensified as the beer moved along the palate. However, like with the nose, the alcohol was shockingly restrained for 15.6%. More lingering booze and oaky barrel notes on the back end and in the finish. Hint of roast.
The mouthfeel was lighter in body for the style. Fuffy and slick on the palate. Slightly oily. The liquid contained a fine, zippier than average effervescence.
Bourbon County Brand Reserve 150 Stout may seem tame compared to many of the ultra high-gravity, barrel-aged beers on the market today, but I enjoyed it immensely. All in all, this definitely reminded me more of a strong ale or an imperial stout/English-style barleywine hybrid than a typical stout of any type. I am looking forward to trying my bottle of BCBS Barleywine 2 Year Reserve next and seeing if it shares any notable similarities to this beer.
Jan 27, 20242021 vintage
25JUL26
Served in a snifter
Review #2300
Like most Bourbon County variants, this poured quite thin for the style. Dark chestnut brown in appearance. The body was topped by a flimsy, light tan cap of froth that quickly transformed into a medium sized, lasting collar. There was no lacing whatsoever.
The aroma was impressive. Quite sweet and boozy. Caramel and toffee notes dominated. Loads of brown sugar too. Raisins and dark fruits also came through strong. Vanilla and bourbon were noticeable as well. Boozy but surprisingly not excessively so given the high ABV.
The flavor profile followed the nose. Rich and malty up front. Big caramel malt notes. Moderate amount of roasted malt character too. Bourbon came through big time as well. Good dose of vanilla in the center. Hint of coconut. The boozy bourbon presence intensified as the beer moved along the palate. However, like with the nose, the alcohol was shockingly restrained for 15.6%. More lingering booze and oaky barrel notes on the back end and in the finish. Hint of roast.
The mouthfeel was lighter in body for the style. Fuffy and slick on the palate. Slightly oily. The liquid contained a fine, zippier than average effervescence.
Bourbon County Brand Reserve 150 Stout may seem tame compared to many of the ultra high-gravity, barrel-aged beers on the market today, but I enjoyed it immensely. All in all, this definitely reminded me more of a strong ale or an imperial stout/English-style barleywine hybrid than a typical stout of any type. I am looking forward to trying my bottle of BCBS Barleywine 2 Year Reserve next and seeing if it shares any notable similarities to this beer.
Reviewed by robwired from Kansas
4.63/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
4.63/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.75
Poured into a Rastal Teku glass. A head did not form, which is fine. One needn't form.
The nose was immediately evident as Old Forester. I know because Old Forester is among my least favorite bourbons.
The taste, however, was an assertive vanilla with berry and oak, yet, overall, the flavor was chocolate and woodsy.
The mouthfeel was pleastantly medium thin, and the finish had a welcome heat.
Dec 26, 2023The nose was immediately evident as Old Forester. I know because Old Forester is among my least favorite bourbons.
The taste, however, was an assertive vanilla with berry and oak, yet, overall, the flavor was chocolate and woodsy.
The mouthfeel was pleastantly medium thin, and the finish had a welcome heat.
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.51/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.51/5 rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
500 ml bottle into a snifter. Bottled 7/25/21, had 2/19/22.
Pours near black, mostly opaque, with no head and sparse specks of cling. Aromas of bourbon, tobacco, oak, raisins, malt, chocolate, vanilla, some licorice, light leather. Smells incredible. Flavors are similar- bourbon, vanilla, oak, malt, chocolate, leather, some caramel, light licorice, a little tobacco. Smooth, a solid full body that’s a touch lighter for BCS, appropriately carbonated.
Excellent. The barrels give up lots of delicious vanilla and wood, and there’s just great aromas and flavors overall. The lighter feel isn’t a problem at all. Really enjoyable.
Jun 02, 2023Pours near black, mostly opaque, with no head and sparse specks of cling. Aromas of bourbon, tobacco, oak, raisins, malt, chocolate, vanilla, some licorice, light leather. Smells incredible. Flavors are similar- bourbon, vanilla, oak, malt, chocolate, leather, some caramel, light licorice, a little tobacco. Smooth, a solid full body that’s a touch lighter for BCS, appropriately carbonated.
Excellent. The barrels give up lots of delicious vanilla and wood, and there’s just great aromas and flavors overall. The lighter feel isn’t a problem at all. Really enjoyable.
Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota
4.7/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
4.7/5 rDev +5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Since the night in November I tasted this in the GI brewpub I’ve lusted for a bigger pour & now, thanks to JJ_17 I can. Standard 500ML bottle with classy cardboard packaging.
The pour is blindfold black with a head that collapses faster than a Coke. The nose brings waves of chocolate, bourbon, & brown sugar.
Bourbon County Brand Reserve 150 (Old Forester Barrels) is throwback BCS – boozy heat, thick, full, interesting, & unique. The barrels must really bring some punch to this brew, because the bourbon is unlike any other I can recall; sharp, strong, fresh. The base brings strong cocoa, booze, tarred black oak, vanilla, & sweet malt for days. Happy to be taking this solo, but ask me again in an hour. Or twelve.
But this is all ultimately about the glorious barrel. I’m unsure if it was the skill of GI or the glory of the barrels themselves, but I’ll grab the next stout (or three) I see tossed into Old Forester. Top-shelf beer.
May 23, 2023The pour is blindfold black with a head that collapses faster than a Coke. The nose brings waves of chocolate, bourbon, & brown sugar.
Bourbon County Brand Reserve 150 (Old Forester Barrels) is throwback BCS – boozy heat, thick, full, interesting, & unique. The barrels must really bring some punch to this brew, because the bourbon is unlike any other I can recall; sharp, strong, fresh. The base brings strong cocoa, booze, tarred black oak, vanilla, & sweet malt for days. Happy to be taking this solo, but ask me again in an hour. Or twelve.
But this is all ultimately about the glorious barrel. I’m unsure if it was the skill of GI or the glory of the barrels themselves, but I’ll grab the next stout (or three) I see tossed into Old Forester. Top-shelf beer.
Reviewed by mschrei from Illinois
4.9/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.9/5 rDev +9.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
This is classic Bourbon County. Very bourbon barrel forward, very oaky, very boozy. Notes of chocolate and vanilla are present. A slight oily thickness, but that’s about the only thing I could put a thumbs down for. Just amazing.
Feb 05, 2023Reviewed by kevanb from Illinois
4.68/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
4.68/5 rDev +4.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
500ml bottle, best before July 25, 2026, poured into a 2012 Bourbon County snifter glass.
The beer pours a deep jet black color, thick and viscous, much like you'd expect from BCBS, with a tan head, little height, moderate retention and a few spots of lacing. The aroma is great, booming barrel character, tons of charred oak, strap molasses, licorice, rich burnt dark chocolate, stone fruits, vanilla, and some toffee spirit. The flavors are great, chocolate, caramel, toffee, loads of charred oak, bourbon spirit, vanilla, stone fruits, licorice, molasses and brown sugar. The mouthfeel is good, coating, creamy with a full heavy body, luscious texture, warming and dry finish.
Verdict: A fantastic rendition of BCBS. I've really come to enjoy these more specific barrel treatments and this one definitely hits the marks. The Old Forrester barrels are really dynamic and really amplify the bitter qualities of this beer, which helps it from feeling overly sweet and boozy. The char, licorice, and molasses are wonderful.
Sep 14, 2022The beer pours a deep jet black color, thick and viscous, much like you'd expect from BCBS, with a tan head, little height, moderate retention and a few spots of lacing. The aroma is great, booming barrel character, tons of charred oak, strap molasses, licorice, rich burnt dark chocolate, stone fruits, vanilla, and some toffee spirit. The flavors are great, chocolate, caramel, toffee, loads of charred oak, bourbon spirit, vanilla, stone fruits, licorice, molasses and brown sugar. The mouthfeel is good, coating, creamy with a full heavy body, luscious texture, warming and dry finish.
Verdict: A fantastic rendition of BCBS. I've really come to enjoy these more specific barrel treatments and this one definitely hits the marks. The Old Forrester barrels are really dynamic and really amplify the bitter qualities of this beer, which helps it from feeling overly sweet and boozy. The char, licorice, and molasses are wonderful.
Bourbon County Brand Reserve 150 Stout from Goose Island Beer Co.
Beer rating:
98 out of
100 with
91 ratings
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