State of Enlightenment
Bottle Logic Brewing

State of EnlightenmentState of Enlightenment
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From:
Bottle Logic Brewing
 
California, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #507
ABV:
13.3%
Score:
92
Ranked #6,533
Avg:
4.33 | pDev: 6.24%
Ratings:
11 | reviews: 5
Status:
Active
Rated:
Sep 20, 2025
Added:
Jan 17, 2024
Wants:
  1
Gots:
  1
In 2022 we teamed up with the zen masters at Moksa to build an imperial stout which meditated exclusively in Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for fifteen months. It spent that time soaking up spirited, oaky nuances until it reached flavor nirvana: Rich and roasty chocolate tones, leather, sun-soaked raisins, and a wisp of tobacco layer together to create something akin to a spiritual experience — especially once the 13.3% ABV kicks in. Intricate wood char and bourbon linger on the palate long after the viscous, velvety finish concludes.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Sammy:
Photo of Sammy
Rated by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.94/5  rDev -9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Feb 05, 2024
More User Ratings:
Photo of thebeers
Reviewed by thebeers from Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
Roasted malts aroma, somewhat meaty, somewhat toasty, with distant chocolate and vanilla.

Similar roasty taste — smoke, char, tobacco, wood, espresso — up front on the taste, with layers of powdery chocolate, rich dark chocolate, chocolate milk and light vanilla behind. Hints of cherry, almond and nougat, too.

Smooth, full, velvety feel with soft, tight carbonation cutting through.

I love Heaven Hill barrel treatment. This one has all the mature flavors, providing tons of depth, but is still cut by kiddie table pastry stout qualities. Tastes and feels like there’s some undisclosed lactose in there, which I really hope isn’t the case.
Sep 20, 2025
Photo of REVZEB
Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Cellared a year. Midnight black with a dark brown head a finger high. Aromas of rustic barrel with an emphasis on toasty oak and black strap molasses, roasted malt, dark chocolate, and a hint of vanillins support. Taste is pretty much the same only I get toasted caramel more than I do vanilla. Feel is warm yet really well balanced, dries out a little bit, but still malty and full. Really well done, makes me wish that bottle logic did less gimmicky stuff
Feb 12, 2025
 
Rated: 4.38 by SayBoom from Ukraine

Nov 30, 2024
 
Rated: 4.25 by pkalix from California

Nov 10, 2024
Photo of maximum12
Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota

4.1/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Not sure why I can’t quit this brewery, with its overexpensive 500ML bottles that only live up to billing about 36% of the time. Still. Into the breach once more.

Black. Little ring of bubbles, with a nose of barrel aged chocolate.

State of Enlightenment must be allowed to breath, to warm, to strip down before being fully enjoyed. Once sufficiently thus, this is a lovely expression of barrel & malt & oak, with a touch of chocolate mixed in. Stoutish in the mouth. No problem putting this slightly oversized single pour down.

Straightforward & delicious. Excellent brew.
Jun 02, 2024
 
Rated: 4.26 by ilikebeer03 from Texas

Mar 10, 2024
 
Rated: 4.45 by Roguer from Connecticut

Mar 08, 2024
Photo of pathman
Rated by pathman from Ohio

5/5  rDev +15.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
03/01/24 bottle @ home; 2024 vintage
Mar 02, 2024
Photo of mschrei
Reviewed by mschrei from Illinois

4.47/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Thick looking, dark, brown with mild edges and lacing. Scents of roasted dark malt, wooden barrel, chocolate, dark fruit, and mild tobacco assert themselves. Taste is a stronger blend of the same flavors. I think that’s because it’s a medium thick, mouth filling and mouth watering bit of a boozy beast, so the taste and feel work well together. Excellent beer.
Feb 18, 2024
Photo of Beersnake
Reviewed by Beersnake from California

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured on tap at Bottle Logic. Pours a thick black with almost no head. The nose is chocolate, nuts, licorice, and bourbon. The taste is fantastic. Full of vanilla, chocolate, roasted malts, black licorice, charred wood, and some bourbon. A bit of toffee comes through as well. Medium to thick mouthfeel.
Jan 17, 2024