Abuse of Stout - Bourbon Barrel Aged with Honey, Cocoa Nibs, and Vanilla
Destination Unknown Beer Co.

Review: 2352
Name: Abuse of Stout
Brewery: DUBCO
Location: Bay Shore, NY
ABV: 12%
Canned: Unknown
Date: 3 April 2025
I've had this beer in my cellar for quite some time. I received this beer from a friend, but I cannot remember who that person is. I am using a tulip glass and serving the beer at a temperature of 44 degrees. The pour created a foamy, frothy, two-fingered, light brown head with average retention. The somewhat quick dissipation left no lacing on the glass. The color is dark brown, nearly jet black, with an SRM of 34, and it is opaque. The beer's appearance is average for this style; I would have liked a creamier head.
Nosing the glass, I smell honey, chocolate, vanilla, molasses, raisins, caramel, toffee, light char, toasted malts, malty sweetness, dark roasted malts, coffee, light earthiness, and toasted bread crust.
The flavors begin with honey, chocolate, vanilla, molasses, raisins, lightly roasted coffee, caramel, figs, a malty sweetness, light earthiness, dark roasted malts, and a hint of char.
The mouthfeel is creamy and thick, finishing with a smooth texture. The body is medium-plus and low carbonation.
The beer is okay. The adjuncts help bolster the beer's flavor profile but add some dynamics to its overall dimension. Although the beer is several years old, it has held up remarkably well. My biggest issue with these beers is that there are better options available with greater complexity. It is four out of five, not terrible, and does have some balance. This beer is not barrel-aged; it does not have those characteristics.

This was another beer that I ordered on Tavour late last year and am finally getting around to tonight. Love my Imperial Stouts and when one truly feels like a dessert beers, that's just the icing on the cake. That was the case with this as there was so much going on here with the end result being a rich, succulent brew that was worth taking the time to savor for all it was worth!

Of course, this poured dark as it had plenty of silky, viscous mocha head that soothingly and quietly topped this off as it nicely settled down to a complementary foam to the heavier liquid beneath. Wavy lacing remained as I worked my way through this without any rings being discernible amongst the suds. Loads of bourbon barrel, caramel, banana, marshmallow were in the nose as the cocoa nibs, vanilla, soft raisin, and bananas foster gave this such a sweet, varied, and filling mouthfeel with plenty of hefty booze to boot.

No doubt that this was strong as this felt and tasted every bit the part. Once again, this didn't have a date on the can but it felt fresh and lively on the palate. Plenty nuanced, sticky, fruity, and sweet, this had so many facets to it that it felt like a well-concocted dessert that was properly aged and served. This may be an abuse of stout but for those who can appreciate something of this sort, it's nothing but a labor of love in the end!