Kentucky (1-Year) Bourbon Barrel Stout
Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Co.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tucked away in the halls of Alltech's Lexington Brewing Company sits some of the first batches of what's now their Bourbon Barrel Stout. But some of the barreled beer didn't go straight to market, some sat in those barrels, soaking in all that bourbon goodness... until now!

The darkest of brown hues kick off the show, appearing more black in the body than near the edges where tawny brown colors are shown. Even though dark, the beer is clear and displays a mirror-ish reflection. In true coffee-like fashion, the beer releases a dainty ivory creme that sits promptly on the beer with solid staying power and moderate lace.

Bold coffee aromas jump out at the nose and carry with it equally strong bourbon and oak notes. The well-melded scent is toasty, walnut-like and of charred wood. Then come complementary aromas of caramel, vanilla, coconut, red wine and cherry-like alcohol.

The balance of coffee and bourbon govern the beer's taste as well. The beer never prefers one taste over the others but are happy to fold in the individual tastes of Columbian coffee, walnuts, cocoa, and light mesquite. The caramel of malt marries up seamlessly with the barrel caramels and so does the roast grains and coffee to the charred barrels. With nuances of cream, vanilla, coconut, and vinous sherry wine, the beer keeps delivering delicate complexities to the taste buds, wave after wave.

Medium bodied, the stout is both creamy and powdery for a lush texture that hides its alcohol head alcohol deceptively well. Roasty textures stop shy of acrid or harsh ash but extends is creamy sweetness into a finish of tannin balance.

While not as robust, roasty, or coffee-forward, the extra barrel aging has give the beer a softer stout flavor, but supplants that with gentlemanly wood, age, and grace. It not only represents the brewery well, but also the Bluegrass!