The Dude - Woodford Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged
Birdfish Brewing Co.

Shimmeringly clear burnt gold with a moderate off-white head that fizzles out to a thin ring.

Substantially more toffee forward than its base, as well as the Basil Hayden's version, the barrel here is pretty hot and does not work well with the beer, developing a medicinal lozenge note. It's a little corny, which is okay as candy corn is a typical bourbon tasting note, but astringently so. There are hints of vanilla and that signature toasted wheat character I often get from Woodford that I wish were more influential, but the metallic astringency dampens the enjoyment. As it warms, a squeeze of lemon develops, but so too does a weird pickly off-note.

The medium body is slick with a crispening carbonation, finishing semi-dry with a numbing tingle.

This is much less enjoyable than the Basil Hayden's version.