Ragnarok - Basil Hayden Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Imperial Oak Brewing

December 2019 release 12oz can shows a muddy, opaque, cola brown body that almost floats a cap of brown bubbles and leaves the glass clean.

A sarsaparilla aroma first hits the nose quickly followed by bourbon barrel notes of vanilla, oak, and leather.

Flavors match with an almost root beer start that smoothly flows into the barrel notes. The malt sweetness blends easily with the bourbon bitterness for a really nice experience. Time may have toned down the booze heat to a very palatable taste, but the inner warming feeling is enjoyable.

Mouthfeel is right where I expect a porter to be, medium-to-less-than tongue coating, with a slightly bitter remainder.

Overall, I recommend now is the time to enjoy this one: 17-18 months after canning.

12 ounce can into a tulip snifter. Released 12/31/19, had 2/6/20.

Pours a dark mahogany, semi opaque, with a one inch foamy head and some loose, foamy lacing. Aromas of bourbon, chocolate, oak, char, malt, light toffee and vanilla. The flavor is mostly the same- bourbon, chocolate, malt, oak, some caramel, light char, light vanilla. Smooth, a very good medium to full body, well carbonated.

Excellent barrels that bring a lot of oak and char, which really added to this. Solid base, as usual. Had on tap, liked the can better. Very enjoyable.