R.I.P. Russian Imperial Stout - Bourbon Barrel
County Line Brewing

2020 vintage listed at 13% abv on their draft menu, cool to have something like this on tap over there, i was impressed with the overall quality, depth, dryness, and robustness on the dark grain side, this really is roasty, bitter, charry without being burnt or acrid, and there is nice smoothness to the body and balancing character from the rest of the grain profile, just a hint of caramel in the center, some chocolate malt of course, and nuances of licorice, barrel char, espresso, and old oak, very mature to me, of course a bit boozy too at this strength, but still not exposed in any problematic way, even at temperature. this is palate coating but not sugary, fuller bodied of course but not overly dense or syrupy, and the oak makes it so velvety feeling. i dont get a ton of the whiskey, way more wood than spirit, but i am okay with that, especially considering the base stout has such good flavor. this is a bruiser, definitely a sipper, but a very impressive take on the style overall and nicely enhanced by the barrel. i reckon county line is fairly underrated overall, they dont get a ton of hype but everything they brew seems to be good to very good across the board.

Bottle from brewery. Inky black, almost looks like a dark violet. Eerie, ominous. Tiniest ring of brown head. Big boozy, smoky wooden aroma. Silly smooth, mildly sweet , molasses. Gradual heat builds up . Then a lingering bittersweet finish. Velvety. High ABV masked well.