46th Anniversary Caffe Corretto Stout
Bull & Bush Brewery

I quite enjoyed this one, even if it came out more like a regular espresso stout than a barrel-aged version. The late espresso addition really pumped up the coffee flavor, and maybe that overpowered the flavor added by the barrels, I don't know. Either way, this was a solid stout, and a worthy celebration of another great year for Bull and Bush. I'm hoping my local beer store has more of these in stock.

 

Pours a deep brown-black with a light brown head. Rich coffee notes to the nose and the taste. A bit thin while cold. As it warms, it becomes creamier and thicker, but also sweeter. Coffee is holding up quite well with age, though it does have a bit of an off tang to it.

I wasn't certain as I drank it, but this does appear to have been barrel-aged, which explains the richness and how well disguised the ABV is.

Quite well done. I think this may have been only my first or second from Bull & Bush - puts them on the map for me.

Type: 16.9-oz. bottle
Glass: AleSmith Barrel-Aged Reserve 10-oz. snifter
From: ucsbmullet on Beer Advocate
Price: N/A
Purchased: N/A; Received on Sept. 22, 2017
Consumed: Dec. 26, 2017
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial Stout
Misc.: Bottled on July 27, 2017

Thanks, Nick!

Was psyched to get this from Nick on a recent trip to Colorado Springs. Had forgotten about Bull & Bush, but the ones he had got me before had been killers in terms of stouts. Had recently given CBC No. 4 a 4.49, and also Legend of the Liquid Brain a 4.36 and Colorado Barrel Collective #2: Ice Cream Clone Barrel-Aged Milk Stout a 4.13. This one read as an, “Imperial Stout aged in Brandy and French Oak Syrah barrels with Espresso added post-barrel aging.” Was really looking forward to it.

Poured a pitch black color with 3-to-4 fingers of khaki tan rocky head. Lots of slow moving bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. Outstanding spotty lacing. Almost-perfect retention. (Sight - 4.50)

Smelled black coffee, espresso, oak, char wood, dark chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, cherry and cacao beans. Had me really wanting to try it. (Smell - 4.50)

Tasted black coffee, roasted espresso, char cherry wood, oak, dark chocolate, cinnamon, red wine barrel, hints of nutmeg, vanilla, cacao nibs, hints of ash tray, molasses and black licorice. The 9.0 pct. ABV is somewhat muted. (Taste - 4.00)

Full body. Sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, roasty, warming finish. (Feel - 4.25)

This was really good. Was back and forth on a few categories, but happy with the overall result. This was excellent. (Overall - 4.25)

4.23 | 94 | A-