Bedford County Barrel-Aged Stout
Turning Point Beer

No bottling date (released on 7/28/20, so presumably bottled within a few days of that date); consumed on 6/9/21

Pours a jet-black, oily ink of a body capped with a finger of densely soapy, caramel-hued foam; solid head retention leaves a few vague spotty islands of cap along with a slight collar and no lasting lacing holding to the walls of the glass.

Aroma is robust with nougat and fresh toffee easing into chocolate wafer upfront, culminating into tones of melted Hershey's bar and thick, fudgy, bittersweet malts peaking over the middle; tinges of spicy/boozy barrel and distant bourbon nuance bring deeper notes of toasted marshmallow over the back end and through the close.

Taste follows with rich nougat, chocolate wafer, and an increasingly charry burnt hazelnut to open, with a mid-palate of silky fudge setting a lushly sweet tone over the mid-palate as prickly barrel spice picks up into the back end; baked cherry skins into rounded, lightly roasted malts and a hefty bourbon presence combine for a crisp chocolate bar finish.

Mouthfeel brings a slick, medium-light body, with boozy warmth apparent early and minimal carbonation dispersing readily to an increasingly viscous texture through the mid-palate; peaking booziness spikes on the palate with a slight burn cutting through any discernible char, leaving a silky, coating finish with a fading, boozy burn.

Visceral chocolate intertwines with punchy barrel, and a fine line is toed between expressive and excessive; bourbon contributes less to flavor and more to intensity for what make this stout both unique and a challenge; an untamed yet quality overall impression.

Rich and tasty, I shared a 16 ounce bottle and it had a smooth aroma and was not heavy on the molasses taste, but had vanilla flavor to me. I was surprised it didn't taste more alcoholic. Surely a novelty beer and I would buy another one to age. Allow it to warm up. Much smoother.