Double Barrel Rye Imperial Stout
Cahaba Brewing Company

 

 

After slumbering eleven months in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels, this limited edition brew made its way onto store shelves back in late February, and I just happened to be at Hop City in Birmingham the day they unboxed it. The nose is heavy with chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, faint oak, and not-so-faint bourbon. On the tongue, the chocolate is mild and slightly bittersweet, while the rye malt provides a subtle but effective spice note. Vanilla and traces of smoke blend nicely with a bourbon presence that is firm but not completely overpowering. Just a tad thin, but that's a very minor complaint. If only I could have sweet-talked that girl into relaxing the one bottle limit!