V.S.O.J.
Revolution Brewing

V.S.O.J.V.S.O.J.
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From:
Revolution Brewing
 
Illinois, United States
Style:
English Barleywine
Ranked #3
ABV:
14%
Score:
100
Ranked #21
Avg:
4.69 | pDev: 4.48%
Reviews:
59
Ratings:
326
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sunday at 08:16 PM
Added:
Jan 16, 2017
Wants:
  100
Gots:
  19
Very Special Old (Straight) Jacket

A periodic, rotating release from Revolution Brewing.

2021: A cuvée of English Barlewines aged between two and four years in our favorite bourbon barrels. Lusciously sweet and colossally complex, V.S.O.J. is equal parts refinement and excess.

2018: A celebration of malt, oak, and patience, Very Special Old [Straight] Jacket is a cuvée of English Barleywines each aged between two and three years in our favorite bourbon barrels. Lusciously sweet and colossally complex, V.S.O.J. is equal parts refinement and excess. Enjoy life now, or store cold.

2017: Aged a full 2 years in hand-selected Heaven Hill and Old Forester barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by emerge077:
Photo of emerge077
Reviewed by emerge077 from Illinois

4.51/5  rDev -3.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
Draft at the brewery. Thanks Thomas & Jenny!
Dark brownish body, fairly murky. Thin skim fades to a thread of bubbles around the edges.

Aroma is heavenly, rich woody and confectionary. Marzipan, toffee, vanilla, mellow bourbon. Big flavors of English toffee and vanilla, raisin, port. Smooth, rich body and taste, dense and sticky. Big bodied and chewy, rich and decadent. A nice slow sipper.

"It's as if god grabbed you by the goodies."
-Brewer Jim
Jan 20, 2017
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.93 by Tbone10 from Wisconsin

Sunday at 08:16 PM
Photo of jb_4226
Rated by jb_4226 from Texas

4.9/5  rDev +4.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5
#180, yum!
Sep 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.74 by Duncian from Pennsylvania

Aug 21, 2023
 
Rated: 4.54 by ThaKennster from Texas

Aug 14, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by akopczyk from Ohio

Jul 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.71 by mklisz from New Hampshire

Jun 22, 2023
 
Rated: 4.6 by KCBeerNerd from Missouri

May 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.79 by rarapacz from Minnesota

Apr 30, 2023
 
Rated: 4.52 by alexsergio from New York

Apr 14, 2023
 
Rated: 4.8 by PDinunzi from New Jersey

Apr 12, 2023
 
Rated: 4.74 by peterpunk15 from Massachusetts

Apr 08, 2023
 
Rated: 4.78 by bsuedekum from Missouri

Mar 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by stmoorea from Illinois

Mar 09, 2023
Photo of Rug
Reviewed by Rug from Massachusetts

4.57/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Canned 6/29/21

Now this is a special one, the highest rated English Barleywine on BA, VSOJ! A long time want of mine, I wanted to try it while I have the Double Barrel VSOJ on the way thanks to Tavour. I’ve had the OG Straight Jacket and some variants before, but this is by far the most exciting. Let’s get into it

Pours an opaque dark brown with 2 fingers of tan head that slowly fades to a thin ring and leaves minimal lacing

The nose brings an intense wave of sweetness, but it’s balanced out by spicier notes. I’m picking up on aromas of burnt caramel, sweet whiskey, molasses, rye bread, golden raisin, brown sugar, charred oak, old leather, fig, tobacco, and sweet toffee

Wow, everything in taste is kicked up a notch, boozy and fruity but not overly sweet. On the front end of the sip I’m tasting fig, sweet toffee, burnt caramel, black cherry, molasses, dry oak, vanilla, earthy whiskey, and light brown sugar. The swallow brings notes of sweet whiskey, charred oak, molasses, rye bread, tobacco, raisin, brown sugar, burnt caramel, vanilla, old leather, and light toffee

A medium full body pairs with gentle tingling carbonation, resulting in a slick beer. Finishes a tad sticky and boozy, yet still drinks well below the listed 15%

Oh yeah, this is one hell of a beer. As expected from Revolution, it’s so much thinner in execution in relation to the flavor. I can’t wait to try the Double Barrel VSOJ next
Feb 07, 2023
 
Rated: 4.98 by Chilmer from Iowa

Dec 26, 2022
 
Rated: 4.84 by hopley from Massachusetts

Dec 17, 2022
Photo of DIM
Reviewed by DIM from Pennsylvania

4.8/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Oh damn this absolutely lives up to its reputation. Nothing unfamiliar in a barleywine here but there is a lot going on and everything is so BIG. 2-4 years in barrels adds such a layer of... profundity to the already stellar Straight Jacket. I feel underdressed, semi-literate, and unwashed sipping on this.

Raisins, molasses, high end whiskey, and leather dominate. There is a lot more at the edges though, candied nuts, honey, pipe tobacco, and a hell of a lot more. Such enveloping, deep warmth but not at all hot. People with access to Revolution are lucky indeed. Thanks so much FBarber!
Oct 24, 2022
 
Rated: 4.49 by Jcoleman4 from Ohio

Oct 12, 2022
V.S.O.J. from Revolution Brewing
Beer rating: 100 out of 100 with 326 ratings