Thoughts on Goose Island's 2022 Bourbon County (BCBS) Lineup?

I live in Utah so 100% shit out of luck. ‍

 

4 pack of straight-up BCBS secured at TW Norfolk today. Fortunately they had 4 packs, initially though it was gonna just be the 16+ ouncers. Had a online/BeerAdvocate coupon that knocked it down even more. Everything else at the price point is a easy f**kin pass for me. Would have liked to grabbed several coffee but they can go to hell at that price.

 

Yeah, I'll take $17 four packs of KBS instead. Would like to try BCBS coffee one day on draft though.

 

Same prices at Wegman's in NJ. $35.99 for the four packs.

 

Glad I only got the one Biscotti, very black licorice forward, but tbh, that's one of those polarizing flavors.

 

if that’s the case, I’ll probably be glad I only got one as well

 

Every time something is Biscotti-flavored, you have to expect star anise/fennel/licorice flavor. Original, plain Biscottis are made with star anise and/or fennel.

 

This was the wildcard purchase knowing the label said anise. The biscotti biscuits I have enjoyed were almond forward, likely without anise seeds. When I read the labeling, I knew what I was getting myself into hence the single bottle purchase. Hoped for more almond/toffee, left with black licorice. It does get better as it warms though but not something I would go back for a second. Is there not a tasting thread this year or did I miss it?

 

Central Maryland reporting in. $15 for single big bottle of BCBS or $46 for the 12oz 4 packs. 30th Anniversary for $45. Sir Isaac and Coffee for $29.

I grabbed 1 bottle of Coffee and gave to my wife to wrap as a Xmas present to me. Coming out of my Xmas budget not weekly beer budget. I can grab a BCBS anytime over next month or or 2. No way Im spending $45 for a single bottle of Reserve.

 

Been a few years since I bought any BCBS. Just copped a four pack.

are they still pasteurizing it?

 

So the barleywine is exactly what I would want in one but I'm conflicted at $31/bottle when Brewing Projekt locally put out baller 500ml bottles at $15-17/ea back in August for their seven year anniversary. Barleywines are hard to come by in Eau Claire though so tastings are usually limited to Great Taste of Midwest in Madison or Minneapolis' beer fest where Revolution always kills it.

 

Haha someone in line behind me wanted mine so I got it and sold it to them at cost. Same with Isaac but for that one + $10 price difference I got an extra BW from another line person. Traded my 30th for yet another BW then managed to loop for a replacement 30th. Biggest problem today was easily finding too much stuff I wanted to maintain anything vaguely resembling a budget.

 

And before anyone asks, half pours for me this year with the remainders tomorrow. While I have fond memories of crushing five BCBS over the course of a day, that's a fond memory at this point.

 

As another data point for the thread: I was able to track down a 4-pack @ $39.99 + tax, but didn't luck out on any BW. Did try, just didn't work out. Only a few places received it, and the place I put all my eggs into the basket - well, just didn't work out. Didn't get pricing on it there.

 

General question for anyone who got 30th anniversary…as I was under the impression that they put a label on it because the blend may vary from batch to batch.

I have two bottles in my possession that I bought from two different locations but the blend is exactly the same:
36% bookers
33% knob creek
17% basil hayden
14% bakers

Just wondering if I misunderstood and it’s all the same batch or if there’s some variation out there…

 

I paid the $27 for a coffee only because I've never had it. I paid the $40 for the barley wine because I have questionable decision making when barley wines are involved...

I'll post reviews in NBW.

 

Exact same breakdown here. I thought the 4-pks of 12oz bottles were rumored to have different barrels.

 

I liked the Sir Isaac; the fig newton vibe played well. The Biscotti was very potent anise flavor. I enjoyed it, but a 6oz pour is plenty. Event I was at also has the 2017 Northwoods Blueberry Almond, which was "okay". Even bought a bottle of the 2 year Old Fitzgerald Barleywine BCBS. Early XMas present.

The base beer to me was a throwback to the earlier vintages of BCBS. Not sure if that was nostalgia or design, but it made the 2022 a fun trip down memory lane.

 

Are you me?