Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
New England Brewing Co.

Ive had this bottle in my cellar (9/1400) for about 7 years. The bottle is a 375 ml size and from 2013 vintage.

This is NOT Stout Trooper and should not be merged with that beer.

Im pouring at cellar temp into my trusty snifter and the beer pours a dark black color with no light passing through my glass. A dense creamy tan head of .5 cm foams up and remains as a sturdy edge layer throughout my sampling. The edging looks almost like chocolate milk and leaves tight lacing when I swirl the beer or take a drink. There are some active streams of very fine carbonation rising to the surface of my glass, keeping the surface active and moving.

Aroma on this beer is very nice. I get dark chocolate, figs and raisins mixing with some bourbon notes and a little brown sugar. No oxidation hints, no hops, and not any booziness. Very pleasant on the nose.

First sip reveals a lighter body than I would expect and also very soft and creamy texture. This feels like a chocolate milk on my palate. Amazingly gentle texture, which makes this beer drink a little faster than I would like. Im already wishing I had a 2nd bottle in the stash!!

Flavor is sweet, but not cloying or overpowering. I get brown sugar, sweet chocolate, some bourbon, and again fig and raisin notes. I also have brown sugar and this flavor doubles up with a sticky coating on my lips after each sip.
I get no hops, and booze is completely hidden. I dont know what the ABV is as it isnt labeled, but it tastes like it is less than 7% with no heat or black pepper notes.

This experience is a win for cellaring beer. I am loving every sip of this bottle and Im not sure how the beer could have been better at anytime, except for right now into my glass. Anybody else have one they want to trade with me??