Is it me or is it the BCBS?

Age will calm it down but it will still have a pretty boozy smell. To me I think the bourbon aroma dissipates as the beer warms up closer to room temperature. All I know is its my favorite beer and I love it every time I have one.

 

That is a good comparison. First time I had both of those I was a little overwhelmed. BCBS is still not a favorite BBA beer for me (I think it is a little too thick like syrup but I digress...) but now I like both a lot more...and over time I have grown to love BBA and aggressive IPAs and DIPAs more and more...

 

I knew what you were getting at, but didn't want others to confuse it.

Regardless, I think you're better off exploring the easier-to-find stouts (perhaps some sans bourbon taste). The fact that you enjoyed the experience is promising (perhaps not for your wallet).

Just like DIPAs and the like, you definitely have to work your way up the ladder. And have fun doing so!

 

I think this is a pretty normal reaction to your first bourbon-barrel imperial stout. At first the bourbon is a little overwhelming, but I think it's easy to quickly start appreciating it when you are more prepared for the aroma and taste.

 

It's definitely bourbon in your face, but that's why I like it. I'm a Kentucky boy and my first taste of anything alcoholic was Makers Mark. When you grow up smelling it on your whole family, seeing everyone you know drink it, and grow accustomed to it, and drinking it regularly when you become drinking age, then smelling a bourbon bomb when you open a bottle is like going home to me. But, I can see how others don't like it if they haven't been exposed to the greatest whisky in the world that often.

 

2013 BCBS still has quite a alcohol presense in the finish, but the barrel has faded some (If you're into that kind of thing) This time last year, I found fresh 2013 BCBS as close to a near perfect Bourbon Barrel aged Stout as could be... To each their own. My suggestion based on your post, if you have the will-power sit on it 3 years+ if you can.

 

Is this real life

 

Don't have it too cold. The bottle should give you the optimal temperature at which to drink it. Also, let it sit in your glass for a while so that it opens up.

 

I'm not alone!! I talk about this all the time with my buddy.. It'll take time to get used to the taste! I'm still not there yet but hopefully soon!

 

Before I got really into beer I drank a lot bourbon and scotch so boozy smells and some heat don't bother me too much (when done well). My wife is gluten free (by necessity) and a bourbon drinker but sure she was jealous of my drink when she had a sniff of the BCBS I got on tap.

 

That's part of the allure.

 

My first BCBS took me well over 45 minutes to drink and I wasn't sure if I liked it. Each time I had it again, I enjoyed it more and more.

I've also gotten into (and tend to prefer) higher ABV beers quite a bit since then as well.

 

My first BCBS ('12) was damn near impossible to drink. Way too hot. Had my 2nd one about 6 months later and it was fine. Now I love em fresh or aged.

 

Try using a different shape glass.

 

...and that booziness will cool over time. anything barrel aged and especially high abv will be a little hot at first; but it will seem less so, 6 months from now, a year from now, etc. cheers

 

i didnt get bcbs till my 2nd to last sip of my fist one...so wanted that glass to have more in it at that point...
now im usually thinking about it for a week before i crack one

 

I'd take BCBS' booze heat over KBS' booze heat any day.. That's just me though.

 

It sounds like you already know the answer (I mean that as a compliment, not as snark). A big stout, especially a really boozy BA one is pretty overwhelming if you're not really used to the style. Sure, aging it will help mellow it out, but getting more used to the style will help more than anything.

The first time I had BCBS, I thought it was a super strong soy bomb. A year later I bought it again, having had more stouts (and BA stouts), and I thought it was awesome. It's all about what your palate is used to (much like drinking bourbon itself).

Yeah, just like with drinking hard liquor (if you're into that), it's a little overwhelming at first. You may want to try some other, less expensive/hard to get stouts/BA stouts while you're waiting for your palate to acclimate. You'll come back to BCBS and have much more of an appreciation for it.