Nanaimo - Barrel-Aged
Bellwoods Brewery

Thanks to Coronaeus for this Great White Northern offering!
She's a looker. Profoundly dark, charred walnut in hue. A most inviting mocha colored cap settles in to a thin, tightly packed, creamy looking fluff. Graceful curtains of lacing shimmer as they slowly descend, leaving a scattered patchwork of diehards.
Nose abounds with bourbon kissed chocolate, caramel, and the most gentle char notes on the back side. Hints of sweet dark fruit are discernible as well.
Wow, the flavor through faithfully but is much more varied. Yes, all of the bourbon tinged sweet malt notes are there, but the deepness of the dark fruit is nuanced: fig, medjool dates, stewed cherries (sans citrus), and prunes. But all of these notes are understated and found as it warms. It is sweet, yet not cloyingly so. And the fruit notes, hint of cinnamon, and char all make for a wonderful experience.
Mouthfeel is full enough for style, slightly oily, low carbonation, with a hint of warmth. A true sipper.
Overall, YES!

Bottle: Poured a deep black color stout with a medium size dark brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of bourbon and vanilla with some sweet chocolate notes and light bitterness notes. Taste is a mix of sweet chocolate notes offset by woody bourbon notes with some vanilla and light dry bitter notes. Body is quite full with good carbonation. I preferred the non-barrel aged version best as some of the woody barrel notes clashed with the sweet pastry notes.