Bourbon County 5 years

1992 - 2004 - Limited production at Clybourn Brewpup

2005 - 818 cases packaged for first time. Michael Jackson was guest speaker at release party. 1992-2005 - Jim Beam barrels used for BCS.

2006- 1968 cases released. 12-16 year old Heaven Hill barrels used. BCS first entry into World Beer Cup. Wins Gold.

2007 - 3259 cases released. 12-16 year old Heaven Hill and 21 year old Pappy Van Winkle barrels used. ( two different batches with different bottling dates)

2008 - 10,000 cases released

2009 - switched to black label, first and last time seen in 22oz format as well, 12-16 year Heaven Hill

2010 - smaller release, 2nd best fresh, 12-16 year Heaven Hill.

2011 - best tasting fresh batch, 12-16 year Heaven Hill, 2nd batch delayed

 

There were a limited (LIMITED) number of bottles released in 2003 for local friends of Goose Island. They have a plain white label, actually a Matilda label reversed, that only say BCBS in a type writer font

 

Mine had the reversed Honker's ale label. '03 was not an official bottling. None bottled in '04. '05 was the official 1st release.

 

You're right... Honkers not Matilda

But, there are some unofficial 2003 bottles around... I had a friend trade a kings ransom for one to complete his full everything BCBS vertical/horizontal

 

Damn you know your BCBS!!!!Thanks for the info!!!!

 

Splax23 and I will be doing a 03, 05-2012 tasting one of these days. We were fortunate enough to land an 03/05/06 as part of a larger trade last year, and we've been just trying to find the right time to crack them open. We'll chime back in here after it happens. For the record, the 03 is also a reverse-label Honker's Ale.

 

best thing I have read in a while. I have had this beer several times lately, and it only gets better. I have told many people that this beer was the best drink I had last year, it was on my 5 year anniversary, but was still one of the better drinks I had last year, thank you Nosh

 

I've got an 08'-'11 vertical waiting to be consumed. I had 2008 over last summer and it was phenomenal.

 

I have tried 08-11. Hands down my favorite vintage has been 2009.

 

I have an 07.. anyway to tell if it was aged in Heaven hill or pappy van winkle.. You said different dates.. do we know what bottling date was for each one?

 

How does the 03 compare to the rest of the series for those who have had it?

 

At this point I don't think there is justification for comparison (besides maybe the color of the beer, and the label). The bottle we opened was well past its prime, and had strong soy sauce notes. There was barely a hint of the barrel characteristics.

 

Past its prime in my opinion. I'll take any other vintage over the '03. If its in your cellar drink it now because you should have a long time ago. If you are looking to land one by trading I don't think its worth what you will be giving up. I feel that with any of the vintages from '09 and earlier its really good with 2 years on it. After 5 years it pretty much just stops developing and doesn't change for better.