Light's Out Imperial Dark IPA - Bulleit Bourbon Oak Chips
Vino's Brewpub

This is Vino's Light's Out Imperial Dark IPA that is cask conditioned with Bulleit bourbon soaked oak chips and norther brewers hops for 5 months. It was served to me in a 9oz glass on 3/25.

Pours a very dark, deep black like cartoon tar with the nice sheen of light on the top. There is absolutely no light penetration, even at the edges of the glass. There is very thin head at the top with very minimal lacing. I would have expected more from something with such a big hop profile. The smell is that of a hardwood forest and warm earth. There is a definite smoke essence at the core that pairs well to a very muted oak and whiskey smoothness. There's a little bit of a fresh, damp mulch to the smell as well. The aromas of the the northern brewer hops, oak, and whiskey work incredibly well. The taste also proves that these ingredients were well chosen. The oak and the whiskey is well attenuated and tasty; I find that sometimes the bourbon treated beers can get wholly out of control with the distilled spirit flavors. The flavor is also transmitting that smoke flavor and a touch of pizza dough well cooked. The hops flavor is very full, but the bitterness is rather light. The flavor is again very earthy and wood-driven. The mouthfeel is light on carbonation, smooth and full with a good alcohol warming.

I don't get many cask offerings and this one is a very solid offering.