Bourbon Barrel Champion Ground
Jackie O's Pub & Brewery
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
Ranked #58 - ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 99
Ranked #226 - Avg:
- 4.49 | pDev: 6.24%
- Reviews:
- 113
- Ratings:
- From:
- Jackie O's Pub & Brewery
- Ohio, United States
- Avail:
- Rotating
- Wants
- 233
- Gots
- 78
SCORE
99
World-Class
99
World-Class
Notes:
Reviews: 113
| Ratings: 640
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4.25/5 rDev -5.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large dark brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of floral coffee notes with some black chocolate note and some subtle bourbon notes. Taste is a mix of floral coffee notes with light residual sugar notes, some chocolate notes with some bourbon notes with light vanilla notes also perceptible. Body is full with good carbonation and no real apparent alcohol notes. Superb coffee based imperial stout with some light and well-balanced bourbon notes.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large dark brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of floral coffee notes with some black chocolate note and some subtle bourbon notes. Taste is a mix of floral coffee notes with light residual sugar notes, some chocolate notes with some bourbon notes with light vanilla notes also perceptible. Body is full with good carbonation and no real apparent alcohol notes. Superb coffee based imperial stout with some light and well-balanced bourbon notes.
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4.67/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Back as pitch with a thin and light tan head, wonderfully rich coffee on the nose, less bourbon than typical for the brewery but still added to the otherwise simplistic brew. This is in my top two or three for certain though as what it lacks in complexity it more than makes up for in execution and refinement!
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Back as pitch with a thin and light tan head, wonderfully rich coffee on the nose, less bourbon than typical for the brewery but still added to the otherwise simplistic brew. This is in my top two or three for certain though as what it lacks in complexity it more than makes up for in execution and refinement!
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4.53/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Coffee bomb... nice, smooth coffee though, not overly bitter. Chocolate notes and some bourbon on the finish. When it finally hits room temp it’s all coffee
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Coffee bomb... nice, smooth coffee though, not overly bitter. Chocolate notes and some bourbon on the finish. When it finally hits room temp it’s all coffee
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4.65/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Really dark brown color with mocha head. Aroma has nice bourbon, cacao, caramel, fudge and a hint of sweetened coffee. Taste has fresh ground coffee, well integrated bourbon, toffee and fudge. Bitter, roasty finish with lingering caramel. Medium plus body, medium carbonation, soft on the palate. A really well made, tasty, coffee stout.
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look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Really dark brown color with mocha head. Aroma has nice bourbon, cacao, caramel, fudge and a hint of sweetened coffee. Taste has fresh ground coffee, well integrated bourbon, toffee and fudge. Bitter, roasty finish with lingering caramel. Medium plus body, medium carbonation, soft on the palate. A really well made, tasty, coffee stout.
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4.27/5 rDev -4.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark dark brown, fairly opaque. Thin mocha head settles into a ring around my glass with a central floating island.
Aroma is black coffee, sweet vanilla bean, boozy bourbon barrel.
Bitter dark coffee, sweet vanilla bourbon barrel, roasted dark malt. Bittersweet baking cocoa.
A bit lighter body than I expected, boozy heat, lighter carbonation suitable to the style.
Big brew, booze stuck around. Rich barrel and coffee.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Dark dark brown, fairly opaque. Thin mocha head settles into a ring around my glass with a central floating island.
Aroma is black coffee, sweet vanilla bean, boozy bourbon barrel.
Bitter dark coffee, sweet vanilla bourbon barrel, roasted dark malt. Bittersweet baking cocoa.
A bit lighter body than I expected, boozy heat, lighter carbonation suitable to the style.
Big brew, booze stuck around. Rich barrel and coffee.
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4.51/5 rDev +0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This one pours a pretty dark black, with a small mocha colored head, and not much lacing.
This smells like fruity and roasty coffee- the coffee is a strong aroma, but it doesn't completely dominate here. There's caramel, oak, bourbon, and tons of chocolate.
The coffee flavor in this is super nice, and well integrated into a superior base beer. There's lots of fudgy chocolate, with vanilla and caramel providing a nice hint of sweetness, and lots of dark fruit and a slightly smokey flavor from the coffee. The barrel character is also killer here, with lots of not-too-boozy bourbon flavor and a hint of oak.
My only real quibble with this beer is the body- I definitely wish it was a bit bigger. It's certainly not thin, though- it works well enough for me.
This is a super underrated BA stout. Most of Jackie O's stuff is super underrated. This is highly recommended.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
This one pours a pretty dark black, with a small mocha colored head, and not much lacing.
This smells like fruity and roasty coffee- the coffee is a strong aroma, but it doesn't completely dominate here. There's caramel, oak, bourbon, and tons of chocolate.
The coffee flavor in this is super nice, and well integrated into a superior base beer. There's lots of fudgy chocolate, with vanilla and caramel providing a nice hint of sweetness, and lots of dark fruit and a slightly smokey flavor from the coffee. The barrel character is also killer here, with lots of not-too-boozy bourbon flavor and a hint of oak.
My only real quibble with this beer is the body- I definitely wish it was a bit bigger. It's certainly not thin, though- it works well enough for me.
This is a super underrated BA stout. Most of Jackie O's stuff is super underrated. This is highly recommended.
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4.74/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pours black with one finger of khaki head that recedes to a thin collar with minimal lacing. Smell is mostly dark chocolate and bourbon with hints of vanilla and dark roasty coffee.
Taste is a well balanced blend of dark roasted malts, cocoa, hazelnut, espresso, and smooth bourbon. Very nice layering of flavors that hit all the right notes for the style.
Body is slick and silky smooth, but I find myself wishing it was just a bit more full and chewy. As great as the flavor is, I wish it hung on the palate a little longer.
All in all, another tremendous barrel aged offering from Jackie O's. While they never disappoint, this one is especially great.
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look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Pours black with one finger of khaki head that recedes to a thin collar with minimal lacing. Smell is mostly dark chocolate and bourbon with hints of vanilla and dark roasty coffee.
Taste is a well balanced blend of dark roasted malts, cocoa, hazelnut, espresso, and smooth bourbon. Very nice layering of flavors that hit all the right notes for the style.
Body is slick and silky smooth, but I find myself wishing it was just a bit more full and chewy. As great as the flavor is, I wish it hung on the palate a little longer.
All in all, another tremendous barrel aged offering from Jackie O's. While they never disappoint, this one is especially great.
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4.23/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
375 at Hoppin Frog for $13++ during HH.
Pitch dark, thick ring. Nice dark roast nose with some nuttiness, a bit stale though. Great flavors, but wayyy too thin. Chocolate and dark fruit dominate and chocolate lingers. Still, not quite fudgey like I want. A tad over rated imo.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
375 at Hoppin Frog for $13++ during HH.
Pitch dark, thick ring. Nice dark roast nose with some nuttiness, a bit stale though. Great flavors, but wayyy too thin. Chocolate and dark fruit dominate and chocolate lingers. Still, not quite fudgey like I want. A tad over rated imo.
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4.58/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2017 vintage.
A: Pours black with a cap of espresso-like tan head that recedes to a razor-thin ring. Pretty good retention for the sparse head that’s there.
S: Dark roast coffee, a bit of baker’s spice, a good kick of dark chocolate and vanilla, with a light bourbon accent providing additional complexity.
T: Rich, decadent coffee and medium-light bourbon and oak, along with a backbone of very dark chocolate, roastiness cut through by a bit of vanilla bean. Somewhat dry, which is accentuated by the hefty coffee presence.
M: Velvety, rounded medium-full body despite prickly, medium-light carbonation. Light alcohol heat.
O: A big, delicious, coffee-forward bourbon barrel stout with enough barrel presence to keep things interesting. I suspect that with a little more age, the coffee will mellow and the barrel will show even more—not necessarily for the better, just a different expression. Reminds me a lot of BA Speedway Stout.
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2017 vintage.
A: Pours black with a cap of espresso-like tan head that recedes to a razor-thin ring. Pretty good retention for the sparse head that’s there.
S: Dark roast coffee, a bit of baker’s spice, a good kick of dark chocolate and vanilla, with a light bourbon accent providing additional complexity.
T: Rich, decadent coffee and medium-light bourbon and oak, along with a backbone of very dark chocolate, roastiness cut through by a bit of vanilla bean. Somewhat dry, which is accentuated by the hefty coffee presence.
M: Velvety, rounded medium-full body despite prickly, medium-light carbonation. Light alcohol heat.
O: A big, delicious, coffee-forward bourbon barrel stout with enough barrel presence to keep things interesting. I suspect that with a little more age, the coffee will mellow and the barrel will show even more—not necessarily for the better, just a different expression. Reminds me a lot of BA Speedway Stout.
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4.5/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
bourbon barrel aged imperial stout with coffee, which on paper sounds like the same thing a million other breweries are doing, but in reality, is unique as can be, more concentrated and intense in all aspects than almost anything else in this field i have had before, which is a large sample size for sure. the coffee here is so fresh, earthy, and rich. its roasted like crazy, with an obvious dark chocolate profile that blends in beautifully with all the dark malts, which in this case stand out more than in a lot of these due to the apparent lack of a sweet malty middle, its all dry and roasty, near black, with the only sweetness at all in here coming from the bourbon, which has honey and vanilla and toasted marshmallow aspects to its sweetness, but its not from grain. it almost tastes like an ice beer, like some of the water was frozen out to make the beer thicker and more pronounced in the flavors, the dark malt here is really deep, and the coffee is dosed heavily enough to match it all the way through. there is a lot of charred oak on this, a faint hint of coconut and raisin right up front, and lots more chocolate. the whiskey is pretty strong here too, but it brings the coffee together with the wood and the heft of the grain. rich vanilla and maple notes in it, and just a little warming alcohol. this is amazingly complex and delicious, a hell of a breakfast beer, and another reason why i am increasingly obsessed with this brewery! this is one of the best of its kind!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
bourbon barrel aged imperial stout with coffee, which on paper sounds like the same thing a million other breweries are doing, but in reality, is unique as can be, more concentrated and intense in all aspects than almost anything else in this field i have had before, which is a large sample size for sure. the coffee here is so fresh, earthy, and rich. its roasted like crazy, with an obvious dark chocolate profile that blends in beautifully with all the dark malts, which in this case stand out more than in a lot of these due to the apparent lack of a sweet malty middle, its all dry and roasty, near black, with the only sweetness at all in here coming from the bourbon, which has honey and vanilla and toasted marshmallow aspects to its sweetness, but its not from grain. it almost tastes like an ice beer, like some of the water was frozen out to make the beer thicker and more pronounced in the flavors, the dark malt here is really deep, and the coffee is dosed heavily enough to match it all the way through. there is a lot of charred oak on this, a faint hint of coconut and raisin right up front, and lots more chocolate. the whiskey is pretty strong here too, but it brings the coffee together with the wood and the heft of the grain. rich vanilla and maple notes in it, and just a little warming alcohol. this is amazingly complex and delicious, a hell of a breakfast beer, and another reason why i am increasingly obsessed with this brewery! this is one of the best of its kind!
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4.63/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Got this in a trade last winter and have been saving it for my birthday. Worth. The. Wait! Wow! Perfect BBA Stout. The bourbon is present but not overwhelming. Wish I had more than just this one!
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look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75
Got this in a trade last winter and have been saving it for my birthday. Worth. The. Wait! Wow! Perfect BBA Stout. The bourbon is present but not overwhelming. Wish I had more than just this one!
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4.45/5 rDev -0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
375mL 2017 edition poured into a snifter
A: Pitch black with a thin head that lingers
S: Freshly brewed espresso, cocoa, vanilla, roasted malt, some toffee/molasses... very full and complex
T: Matches the nose note for note. Just tons going on, all of it delicious. Coffee up front followed by all the complexities of a well made barrel aged stout
M: Full-bodied, big without being boozy
O: This is one to sip slowly and savor. Just everything about it is well-made, completely worthy of the outstanding rating it has
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
375mL 2017 edition poured into a snifter
A: Pitch black with a thin head that lingers
S: Freshly brewed espresso, cocoa, vanilla, roasted malt, some toffee/molasses... very full and complex
T: Matches the nose note for note. Just tons going on, all of it delicious. Coffee up front followed by all the complexities of a well made barrel aged stout
M: Full-bodied, big without being boozy
O: This is one to sip slowly and savor. Just everything about it is well-made, completely worthy of the outstanding rating it has
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4.49/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From the shorty bottle in a snifter via the brewery. This beast of a stout pours
a deep obsidian with a nice brown head of brown foam that subsides to a thick ring,
thin pool, and showcases nice light lacing. Nose of coffee, dark cocoa fudge, vanilla,
heavy bourbon, heavy oak, and moderately heavy char. Flavors follow but surpass with
presentation of bourbon and heavy char awash in heavy oak notes with moderate vanilla
and heavy coffee with char and crème brûlée brown sugar notes on the rear. Excellent mouth feel;
full body, slick, coating, rich, and warming with low carbonation and a touch of raisin bourbon note
on the rear with warmth. Overall, a FANTASTIC stout that was even better on tap and worthy of the
name Jackie O's.
Cheers
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
From the shorty bottle in a snifter via the brewery. This beast of a stout pours
a deep obsidian with a nice brown head of brown foam that subsides to a thick ring,
thin pool, and showcases nice light lacing. Nose of coffee, dark cocoa fudge, vanilla,
heavy bourbon, heavy oak, and moderately heavy char. Flavors follow but surpass with
presentation of bourbon and heavy char awash in heavy oak notes with moderate vanilla
and heavy coffee with char and crème brûlée brown sugar notes on the rear. Excellent mouth feel;
full body, slick, coating, rich, and warming with low carbonation and a touch of raisin bourbon note
on the rear with warmth. Overall, a FANTASTIC stout that was even better on tap and worthy of the
name Jackie O's.
Cheers
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4.5/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a jet black with a thin deep brown foam head. Nose is of wet coffee grounds, molasses and burnt malt. Taste is extreamly coffee forward. Dark roast black, no cream no sugar. Nice sweet bourbon kick that cuts through the coffee. Wood, toasted dark malts, light vanilla and caramel present. A little thin on body, watered down. Still tho a very good stout. If you like your coffee dark. You'll dig this.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours a jet black with a thin deep brown foam head. Nose is of wet coffee grounds, molasses and burnt malt. Taste is extreamly coffee forward. Dark roast black, no cream no sugar. Nice sweet bourbon kick that cuts through the coffee. Wood, toasted dark malts, light vanilla and caramel present. A little thin on body, watered down. Still tho a very good stout. If you like your coffee dark. You'll dig this.
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4.28/5 rDev -4.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured out jet black, thin tan head on top settling into a ring around the glass. The smell is of molasses, not much coffee but it smells very good regardless. The taste is sweet again not a ton of coffee but definite chocolate in there with some caramel in there too. The feel is a little thinner than expected. Overall a very good stout.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Poured out jet black, thin tan head on top settling into a ring around the glass. The smell is of molasses, not much coffee but it smells very good regardless. The taste is sweet again not a ton of coffee but definite chocolate in there with some caramel in there too. The feel is a little thinner than expected. Overall a very good stout.
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4.59/5 rDev +2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
poured from a 375ml bottle into a Foam snifter
2017 bottle
pours a dark brown color with a nice 2 finger tan head that hung around for a while. Lots of chocolate on the nose, like smellinga warm cup of fudge. The taste is a blast of coffee with a creamy fudgie lingering after taste. An amazing coffee stout. Will have to grab more when possible!
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look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
poured from a 375ml bottle into a Foam snifter
2017 bottle
pours a dark brown color with a nice 2 finger tan head that hung around for a while. Lots of chocolate on the nose, like smellinga warm cup of fudge. The taste is a blast of coffee with a creamy fudgie lingering after taste. An amazing coffee stout. Will have to grab more when possible!
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4.13/5 rDev -8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
375ml bottle, 2016 vintage, poured into a 14oz snifter glass. Enjoyed on 4.11.17, reviewed from Tasting Journal.
The beer pours a nice jet black color, very oily and inky and viscous with a finger of tan head, good retention and spotted lace. The aroma is very nice, lots of coffee, smooth roast profile, rich and inviting with a hint of nice acidity, plenty of dark grain and bittersweet chocolate with soft bourbon a touch of oaky barrel and some strong molasses character. The flavors are good, lots of chocolate and smooth barrel character up front, supportive coffee bean, with some nice richness but also some good counterbalancing fruit flavors and light acidity, molasses and alcohol clean up the finish. The mouthfeel is good, very coating, massively huge body, viscous and thick, chewy almost with a smooth finish.
Verdict: A very nice beer from Jackie O's. Smooth, rich, excellent expression from the coffee. I don't love the molasses flavor I keep getting and it's a hint on the warm and boozy side, but small knocks aside, this was an extremely worthy beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
375ml bottle, 2016 vintage, poured into a 14oz snifter glass. Enjoyed on 4.11.17, reviewed from Tasting Journal.
The beer pours a nice jet black color, very oily and inky and viscous with a finger of tan head, good retention and spotted lace. The aroma is very nice, lots of coffee, smooth roast profile, rich and inviting with a hint of nice acidity, plenty of dark grain and bittersweet chocolate with soft bourbon a touch of oaky barrel and some strong molasses character. The flavors are good, lots of chocolate and smooth barrel character up front, supportive coffee bean, with some nice richness but also some good counterbalancing fruit flavors and light acidity, molasses and alcohol clean up the finish. The mouthfeel is good, very coating, massively huge body, viscous and thick, chewy almost with a smooth finish.
Verdict: A very nice beer from Jackie O's. Smooth, rich, excellent expression from the coffee. I don't love the molasses flavor I keep getting and it's a hint on the warm and boozy side, but small knocks aside, this was an extremely worthy beer.
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4.3/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2015 bottle poured into a voodoo teku. Drank at 51 degrees.
L - pours dark, dark, dark brown. Very frothy light brown with hues of red. Awesome sticky lacing.
S - as soon as I cracked it I was hit with bourbon and coffee from an arms length away. Bringing it closer theres the signa ture jackie o's massive amounts of bourbon. The coffee is prominent but not in your face. Loads of vanilla and carmelized sugar. The sweetness is very intense.
T - the coffee is a definitely a very dark roast, but it's not at all bitter. Next comes intense oak of the bourbon. Very, very woody forward with vanilla and toffee not far behind. The spiciness of the alcohol is very prominent, especially considering 2 years old. The more it warms the more it drink like an iced frappuccino.
F - very creamy. Far on the dry side. Maybe a touch thin, and as already mentioned heavy with alcohol.
O - quite good. A nice slow sipper.
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look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2015 bottle poured into a voodoo teku. Drank at 51 degrees.
L - pours dark, dark, dark brown. Very frothy light brown with hues of red. Awesome sticky lacing.
S - as soon as I cracked it I was hit with bourbon and coffee from an arms length away. Bringing it closer theres the signa ture jackie o's massive amounts of bourbon. The coffee is prominent but not in your face. Loads of vanilla and carmelized sugar. The sweetness is very intense.
T - the coffee is a definitely a very dark roast, but it's not at all bitter. Next comes intense oak of the bourbon. Very, very woody forward with vanilla and toffee not far behind. The spiciness of the alcohol is very prominent, especially considering 2 years old. The more it warms the more it drink like an iced frappuccino.
F - very creamy. Far on the dry side. Maybe a touch thin, and as already mentioned heavy with alcohol.
O - quite good. A nice slow sipper.
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4.46/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 fl oz bottle sealed with pressure cap.
poured into Spiegelau tulip.
Appearance: opaque black body. Medium brown head that pour two fingers tall at cellar temperature. Head has nice staying power and remains a thick cap for almost the entire drink. Plenty of creamy sticky lacing left behind as the head slowly recedes.
Smell: Fresh roasted coffee beans with a big bold earthy and smokey aroma. Lots of oak barrel. Light bourbon notes. Hint of cocoa nibs.
Taste: This is a coffee forward stout with a light bourbon finish. The coffee still tastes very fresh just like the aroma smells. Dark chocolate, molasses, and tobacco. Strong oak presence in the middle. Finish has a hint of oak and then the bourbon shows up. The bourbon is slightly spicy with caramel and brown sugar notes. Roasty fresh brewed coffee lingers on for minutes after each sip.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with low carbonation that is adequate. Beer drinks light despite its huge bold flavors. Not boozy at all. Very well balanced.
Overall: The coffee beans in this stout remind me a lot of Intelligensia Espresso used for crafting bourbon county coffee stout. This beer is really enjoyable because it is a coffee bomb with huge flavors that are very well balanced. This is a great Jackie O's offering!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
12 fl oz bottle sealed with pressure cap.
poured into Spiegelau tulip.
Appearance: opaque black body. Medium brown head that pour two fingers tall at cellar temperature. Head has nice staying power and remains a thick cap for almost the entire drink. Plenty of creamy sticky lacing left behind as the head slowly recedes.
Smell: Fresh roasted coffee beans with a big bold earthy and smokey aroma. Lots of oak barrel. Light bourbon notes. Hint of cocoa nibs.
Taste: This is a coffee forward stout with a light bourbon finish. The coffee still tastes very fresh just like the aroma smells. Dark chocolate, molasses, and tobacco. Strong oak presence in the middle. Finish has a hint of oak and then the bourbon shows up. The bourbon is slightly spicy with caramel and brown sugar notes. Roasty fresh brewed coffee lingers on for minutes after each sip.
Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with low carbonation that is adequate. Beer drinks light despite its huge bold flavors. Not boozy at all. Very well balanced.
Overall: The coffee beans in this stout remind me a lot of Intelligensia Espresso used for crafting bourbon county coffee stout. This beer is really enjoyable because it is a coffee bomb with huge flavors that are very well balanced. This is a great Jackie O's offering!
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4.41/5 rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: pours thin and black with a small head that lingers.
S: coffee upfront, sweetness from he barrel brings maple notes. The barrel is almost as present as the coffee and is very nice, but this overall lacks a huge aroma.
T: that's a great mix of barrel and coffee. Very balanced between the two with both flavors popping.
F: medium thickness and creamy but not that coating.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
L: pours thin and black with a small head that lingers.
S: coffee upfront, sweetness from he barrel brings maple notes. The barrel is almost as present as the coffee and is very nice, but this overall lacks a huge aroma.
T: that's a great mix of barrel and coffee. Very balanced between the two with both flavors popping.
F: medium thickness and creamy but not that coating.
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4.49/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Received from a close Ohio friend. Poured and tasted the first few sips at 45 degrees. Continued to drink as it warmed to room temperature.
Look - Dark black in a snifter with not much head even somewhat aggressively poured.
Smell - Upfront bourbon with notes of oak, vanilla and coffee.
Taste - The bourbon, coffe, vanilla and oak tastes resemble the smell and play nicely together
Feel - Carbonation as expected for the style. Extremely smooth
Overall - A well put together offering from Jackie O's
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Received from a close Ohio friend. Poured and tasted the first few sips at 45 degrees. Continued to drink as it warmed to room temperature.
Look - Dark black in a snifter with not much head even somewhat aggressively poured.
Smell - Upfront bourbon with notes of oak, vanilla and coffee.
Taste - The bourbon, coffe, vanilla and oak tastes resemble the smell and play nicely together
Feel - Carbonation as expected for the style. Extremely smooth
Overall - A well put together offering from Jackie O's
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4.58/5 rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottle:
Had this a few Sundays ago, combining my notes with this tasting:
A mocha head of about a finger tops the body that has a distinct absence of color. It poured like a thin oil from the bottle, and a not very vigorous pour generated that creamy head. The light tan foam doesn't leave, and suspends larger bubbles in its creaminess.
A good whiff yields a combined coffee, vanilla, chocolate scent. I recall a little more coffee from a few weeks back, but it might be memory or environment more than it fading. In both cases, it comes together leaning towards a chocolate brownie. There's a light bitter note that could be dark roast coffee or a hint of charred malt.
Feel is a bit more oily today, versus the smooth, creamy feel I got a couple weeks back. The vanilla I got before is not as present up front, but the bourbon and roasted notes come out up front. The coffee forms in the mid-taste, filling out the body a bit and leading to that chocolate brownie like impression overall. In my original notes, I had a light tang and dryness from the barrel grabbing the edges by the end. In this sitting, I am getting some of the dryness, but not so much the barrel. Instead I am getting a light oily nutty aspect. Overall, though, it is still a dark chocolate cocoa impression. What I do get, with warmth, is the coffee making subtle inroads into the chocolate taste.
I really enjoyed this beer, as you got a little bit of all the expected notes playing together. The bourbon seems to lead to a more chocolatey flavor. However, the coffee was well integrated, and adds a richness and darkness to the chocolate. I almost miss the coffee as I indulge in the richness of the beer, though it is not hiding all that hard.
1,739 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Bottle:
Had this a few Sundays ago, combining my notes with this tasting:
A mocha head of about a finger tops the body that has a distinct absence of color. It poured like a thin oil from the bottle, and a not very vigorous pour generated that creamy head. The light tan foam doesn't leave, and suspends larger bubbles in its creaminess.
A good whiff yields a combined coffee, vanilla, chocolate scent. I recall a little more coffee from a few weeks back, but it might be memory or environment more than it fading. In both cases, it comes together leaning towards a chocolate brownie. There's a light bitter note that could be dark roast coffee or a hint of charred malt.
Feel is a bit more oily today, versus the smooth, creamy feel I got a couple weeks back. The vanilla I got before is not as present up front, but the bourbon and roasted notes come out up front. The coffee forms in the mid-taste, filling out the body a bit and leading to that chocolate brownie like impression overall. In my original notes, I had a light tang and dryness from the barrel grabbing the edges by the end. In this sitting, I am getting some of the dryness, but not so much the barrel. Instead I am getting a light oily nutty aspect. Overall, though, it is still a dark chocolate cocoa impression. What I do get, with warmth, is the coffee making subtle inroads into the chocolate taste.
I really enjoyed this beer, as you got a little bit of all the expected notes playing together. The bourbon seems to lead to a more chocolatey flavor. However, the coffee was well integrated, and adds a richness and darkness to the chocolate. I almost miss the coffee as I indulge in the richness of the beer, though it is not hiding all that hard.
1,739 characters
4.19/5 rDev -6.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Received from @SomethingClever – Thanks Dave!
Undated bottle (Other than 2016) stored at 42 degrees. Served at 50 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Aroma – coffee – no bourbon, no barrel. It does fade as the brew warms in my glass.
Head small (Maximum 1.5 cm, aggressive pour), tan, medium density and average retention, diminishing to a four mm ring of tiny to small bubbles and a thin partial layer.
Lacing – none.
Body – dark brown/black, opaque.
Flavor – wow! Coffee with stout added. Initially a little bourbon comes through, but when it warms on my tongue, the barrel and the alcohol become very noticeable. There is also a little of the char from the barrel present which contributes heavily to the aftertaste. No hops, no diacetyl.
Palate – medium, creamy, lively carbonation.
Interesting beer – quite unlike any prior coffee BBA stout I’ve ever had. This has more depth of taste than most, once you get past that initial blast of coffee. This grows on me with each swallow.
Appearance – 4, Aroma 3.75, Flavor 4.5, Palate 4, Overall 4.25.
1,099 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Received from @SomethingClever – Thanks Dave!
Undated bottle (Other than 2016) stored at 42 degrees. Served at 50 degrees in a hand washed and dried Jester King snifter.
Aroma – coffee – no bourbon, no barrel. It does fade as the brew warms in my glass.
Head small (Maximum 1.5 cm, aggressive pour), tan, medium density and average retention, diminishing to a four mm ring of tiny to small bubbles and a thin partial layer.
Lacing – none.
Body – dark brown/black, opaque.
Flavor – wow! Coffee with stout added. Initially a little bourbon comes through, but when it warms on my tongue, the barrel and the alcohol become very noticeable. There is also a little of the char from the barrel present which contributes heavily to the aftertaste. No hops, no diacetyl.
Palate – medium, creamy, lively carbonation.
Interesting beer – quite unlike any prior coffee BBA stout I’ve ever had. This has more depth of taste than most, once you get past that initial blast of coffee. This grows on me with each swallow.
Appearance – 4, Aroma 3.75, Flavor 4.5, Palate 4, Overall 4.25.
1,099 characters
4.66/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - Pours black with nice tight tan head.
Aroma - Roasted coffee, chocolate, vanilla, bourbon and oak. There are also hints of cinnamon and spices. All of the aromas are so subtle but you can pick everyone out.
Taste - Lots of ground coffee, oak and bourbon. I am also getting some spices, vanilla and cocoa. The flavors are really well balanced in this beer.
Feel - Full bodied creamy so smooth and warming from the bourbon.
Overall - This is a great beer, well balanced flavors nothing overpowers super smooth and just a great beer.
547 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Appearance - Pours black with nice tight tan head.
Aroma - Roasted coffee, chocolate, vanilla, bourbon and oak. There are also hints of cinnamon and spices. All of the aromas are so subtle but you can pick everyone out.
Taste - Lots of ground coffee, oak and bourbon. I am also getting some spices, vanilla and cocoa. The flavors are really well balanced in this beer.
Feel - Full bodied creamy so smooth and warming from the bourbon.
Overall - This is a great beer, well balanced flavors nothing overpowers super smooth and just a great beer.
547 characters
4.46/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage, poured into a tulip. Big time coffee on the nose and taste, followed by oak and bourbon. A bit thinner and boozier than expected but enjoyable overall.
165 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2016 vintage, poured into a tulip. Big time coffee on the nose and taste, followed by oak and bourbon. A bit thinner and boozier than expected but enjoyable overall.
165 characters
Bourbon Barrel Champion Ground from Jackie O's Pub & Brewery
Beer rating:
99 out of
100 with
640 ratings
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