Decoy - Double Barrel-Aged [Private Reserve] - Barton 1792 and Four Roses
Fonta Flora Brewery

Midnight black opaque body with a brown collar. Aromas of complex bourbon barrel character, washing over the waves of char, earth, blackstrap molasses, bittersweet chocolate, tobacco, and a whisper of smoke. Taste as much the same, maybe a little sweeter with a hint of raisin but less molasses and chocolate, barrel character is still incredible with roasted and charred earthy tones right there too. Feel is warm and chewy without being too heavy or thick, otherwise rustic and roasty with an appreciated dryness. This series is incredibly slept on.

 

Thick, inky pour, opaque in the glass; initial thin, fizzy head, settles to a very thin, fairly dense and creamy appearance, tan and lasting. Very pleasant and subdued aroma; soft milk chocolate with elements of whiskey and barrel wood. Extraordinary flavor melding richly sweet milk chocolate notes with a sublime bourbon edge and oak-like wood notes. Rich and full-bodied mouthfeel; dense residual sugars; bold yet balanced note of bourbon heat.

There is no mistaking this beer's barrel aging pedigree. While the bourbon barrel aging is pretty well evident across the board, it isn't overbearing. The base imperial stout exudes richness and depth of flavor and mouthfeel. Very complex and alluring for the style.

ABV: 15%; pouring temperature: 49.0 °F; bottling info: Batch #1 Bottled December 2024
Source: Tavour

Had this side by side with the Fonta Flora Decoy - Double Barrel-Aged - Elijah Craig And Russell's Reserve. Batch #1 bottled December 2024.

Look - Pours a dark black color with a small brown head. The head has larger bubbles than the Elijah Craig and Russells Reserve version I'm drinking next to it.

Smell - Heavy bourbon notes. I'm liking the smell on the Elijah Craig And Russell's Reserve just a bit more as the smell is more pronounced.

Taste - Malt, bourbon, oak. Like the smell, the bourbon taste seems a bit less pronounced on this one.

Feel - Lighty carbonated. A slight bourbon aftertaste.

Overall - A decent stout overall. I'll admit, I often prefer stouts with more adjuncts than this. :-)