Big Bourbon Series Lost Sailor Imperial Stout
Shoreline Brewery And Restaurant

 

 

 

 

Pitch black.

Dark khaki head which quickly dissipates; no lace.

Strong bourbon & wood odor; hint of dark fruit.

Thick mouthfeel.

Huge wood flavor, with bourbon following closely behind. As it warms, both bitter & sweet chocolate notes emerge.

A more palatable BCS, perhaps?

 

 

25.4oz bottle, 2010 version, black wax. Pours mostly black with a very small sized dark khaki head. Smells of bourbon, cocoa, oxidization, vanilla, dark fruit, and roasted malt. The taste follows with mostly bourbon, cocoa, and oxidization with some vanilla, dark fruit, and roasted malt. Incredibly rounded. Slightly above average smell/flavor intensity and some alcohol is noticeable. The carbonation was more present than what appeared in the pour and the body was below average for the style. Overall, this really held up well for 6 years of aging; it retained a nice bourbon profile and wasn't overly oxidized.

 

 

 

 

 

2011. A little thinness is the only weekness. Really an excellent beer, great at cellar temp. Taste wise could compete with anyone.

 

Burgundy 2008 wax enjoyed in 2015. Just a fantastic beer.
Would have been proud bringing this to a bottle share, oh well.

2010 Version, aged in Bourbon Barrels for 1 year, Black Wax 750ml, drinking in 2015
Bought this at the brewery during a Michigan/Northern Indiana brewery tour. At the brewery, it was approx $20 for a 750ml. Hope it's worth it!

Appearance-pours dark ruby out the bottle, pitch black in glass. Not a lot of head. Head is not super creamy, but rich dark chocolate brown colored. Doesn't appear to be extremely carbonated. After a minute or 2 sitting in the glass, head has dissipated. Classic looking, nothing to ding it about. 5/5.

Smell- Smells really nice. After 5 years, bourbon is still big time forward, smelling sweet. Behind bourbon, chocolate, fruits, vanilla, and roasted malts. Doesn't smell extremely boozy, though bourbon is leading (surprising after 5 years). Didn't smell much fruit right out of the fridge, but did as it warmed. Bourbon slightly dominated other nuances, 4.75/5

Taste-Alcohol warmth, bourbon, chocolate, and roasted malt hit the palate all at once in beginning. Continuing, bourbon coming through with dark fruit and vanilla on the finish. After it warmed, bourbon cooled off, and fruits came out swinging. 5/5. Absolutely delicious, from cold to room temp.

Feel-not super creamy, slightly watery, standard carbonation. 4/5. I wish it was a touch creamier, and little less watery in mouth feel. Surprising for a beer so big.

Overall- Awesomely balanced stout. I wouldn't want this fresh as the bourbon is still, after 5 years, very forward. As it warmed, it became more complex, sexier, and more enjoyable. 5/5. After finishing, I have nothing to complain about. This is an absolutely delicious big stout. Thanks Shoreline! Great brewpub serving great food in Michigan City, Indiana. Check 'em out. This beer is worth $20.

2011 vintage poured from a wax capped 750 ml bottle