Barrel Aged Deserted Village
Twin Elephant Brewing Company

This beer was aged in what the brewer a fresh barrel. He meant that the only liquid that was aged in it before his beer was Four Roses Bourbon. The Bourbon was in the barrel for 9 years. He also added coffee and cocoa nibs. I wish he hadn't but the Bourbon was so powerful you could barely taste either one. If this beer was just BBA i think I would have rated it a 5.

 

I had this on draught at the brewery. 8 oz. pour. It's nearly black with dark walnut hues and a foamy, ecru colored head and lacing that dissipated quickly. There's a lot of bourbon on the nose, along with roasted malt, burnt coffee, and chocolate. The taste is bourbon forward but not overpowering, and the bourbon fades quickly. There is also chocolate, caramel, and black cherry. All of the flavors are delicate and blend well. The tastes improve markedly as the glass warms. This stout is medium-bodied and not particularly chewy. It has the feel of a porter. It's light in carbonation and the 9.2% ABV is evident but it's not particularly boozy. Overall, the best attribute of Barrel Aged Deserted Village is that the bourbon is so mellow. The chocolate and coffee are flavorful and the cherry is a plus. It's a well-crafted, local BA Imperial Stout.