Broken Empire - Bourbon Barrel Aged
The Dayton Beer Company

 

Had on tap. This was a deceptive one, it poured a smooth black with some brown lacing, and it smelled like a lovely, full and boozy stout, with licorice, toffee, and chocolate. But the taste was full of ash, and burnt caramel with a backing of harsh wood. It's a trap! Feel was smoky and watery. But the smell is so nice, I think I will sip again, nope still a trap!

 

 

 

 

 

 

12oz bottle from late 2015 bottling served in a snifter glass.

Appearance: Pitch black with a very thin dark tan ring of foam. Some persistent fine islands and strands of lacing noted.

Smell: Bourbon, vanilla, a hint of sweet chocolate. With a swirl the bourbon whiskey is much more notable and dominates the nose. Very nice.

Taste: Sweet but balanced. Vanilla, low cacao sweet bittersweet chocolate, hints of bourbon at the middle and finish, and light but lingering bitter finish that has a hint of char to it along with more bittersweet chocolate and roasted malt.

Mouthfeel: Very smooth and creamy with a light carbonation. Some warming alcohol noted.

Overall / Drinkability: A fine slow sipping beer. The bourbon barrel aging is a nice accent and not a dominating flavor. Perhaps one of the milder Russian Imperial Stouts I've had in awhile, but it works rather well being more mild and letting the sweeter flavors from the barrel aging come along and compliment the stout chocolate and bitter flavors. One per evening with this one but very good for a cold winter evening. I'll have to pick this up again sometime.