Bourbon County Brand Stout - Vanilla Rye
(has 2 batches)
Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois, United States 🇺🇸
Stout - Pastry / Flavoured - Imperial Series Out of Production|
Score
8.38
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Imperial Stout Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels with Madagascar Vanilla Beans
It’s been six years since we released one of the most celebrated Bourbon County Brand Stout variants. Today, we're excited to warmly welcome the return of this iconic member of the Bourbon County Brand Stout family.
Vanilla, as an ingredient, has made an appearance in Bourbon County lineups over the years, but the 2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout is a new take on our 2014 Vanilla Rye release. This year’s release showcases rye and the complexity it delivers by starting with a rye imperial stout and aging it in freshly emptied rye whiskey barrels. After aging in barrels for a full year, the stout is then finished with incredibly aromatic madagascar vanilla beans. Bourbon County Vanilla Rye Stout has the beloved attributes of the vanilla variants before it–with a new characteristically rich spice character from aging in the rye whiskey barrels.
It’s been six years since we released one of the most celebrated Bourbon County Brand Stout variants. Today, we're excited to warmly welcome the return of this iconic member of the Bourbon County Brand Stout family.
Vanilla, as an ingredient, has made an appearance in Bourbon County lineups over the years, but the 2024 Bourbon County Brand Vanilla Rye Stout is a new take on our 2014 Vanilla Rye release. This year’s release showcases rye and the complexity it delivers by starting with a rye imperial stout and aging it in freshly emptied rye whiskey barrels. After aging in barrels for a full year, the stout is then finished with incredibly aromatic madagascar vanilla beans. Bourbon County Vanilla Rye Stout has the beloved attributes of the vanilla variants before it–with a new characteristically rich spice character from aging in the rye whiskey barrels.
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9/10
Deep black. Vanilla nose. Oily. Dark sweet chocolate. Fantastic brew.
Tried
from Draft
at
Mon Petit Cafe
on 29 Sep 2018
at 20:31
8.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 9
2014 vintage draught at Stoddard's, 11/22/17 and 2014 bottle drunk 12/1/17.
Pretty happy they offered this on Bourbon County Day, as I imagine this stuff is getting quite scarce. Granted, the bourbon county stouts have been so hit or miss as far as quality, with some being syrupy, hot, sugary messes, or prematurely oxidized, and others being pretty fantastic, that I wasn't sure what to expect. Fortunately, this one lived up to the hype.
Pours as an inky, viscous, jet black, motor oil with no head. Seemingly opaque, as well.
Rich oak, dark chocolate, and soft vanilla all encompass the nose, with no aggressiveness nor any thick fudge, booze or surplus of sugar. Light raisin and vinous notes persist on the end, helping to add a sense of balancing acidity. The vanilla shows restraint, coming in as just one small (albeit very well-done and enjoyable) note amongst the fairly complex character. Some inevitable drying and very light alcohol, but it's very relaxed and minor.
In the mouth, it is perhaps even more impressive, with an incredibly soft, sticky, viscous texture that is nonetheless still fairly well-attenuated. I wouldn't call the beer dry, or even off-dry, by any means, but it never threatens to cloy and shows plentiful barrel tannin, raisin and other dark fruit acidity and soft, inviting vanilla notes. Together it does achieve a pretty nice balance, as far as dessert stouts go. Carbonation is engaging but low, with little/no alcohol, no big fudgey-sweet notes nor any significant amount of toasted oak. Excellent stuff.
The draught version was in excellent shape and showed little/no oxidation or tiredness. As expected, the bottle was more tired and showed light-to-moderate oxidation. Definitely a drink-now, but will still be enjoyable for a few more years.
Pretty happy they offered this on Bourbon County Day, as I imagine this stuff is getting quite scarce. Granted, the bourbon county stouts have been so hit or miss as far as quality, with some being syrupy, hot, sugary messes, or prematurely oxidized, and others being pretty fantastic, that I wasn't sure what to expect. Fortunately, this one lived up to the hype.
Pours as an inky, viscous, jet black, motor oil with no head. Seemingly opaque, as well.
Rich oak, dark chocolate, and soft vanilla all encompass the nose, with no aggressiveness nor any thick fudge, booze or surplus of sugar. Light raisin and vinous notes persist on the end, helping to add a sense of balancing acidity. The vanilla shows restraint, coming in as just one small (albeit very well-done and enjoyable) note amongst the fairly complex character. Some inevitable drying and very light alcohol, but it's very relaxed and minor.
In the mouth, it is perhaps even more impressive, with an incredibly soft, sticky, viscous texture that is nonetheless still fairly well-attenuated. I wouldn't call the beer dry, or even off-dry, by any means, but it never threatens to cloy and shows plentiful barrel tannin, raisin and other dark fruit acidity and soft, inviting vanilla notes. Together it does achieve a pretty nice balance, as far as dessert stouts go. Carbonation is engaging but low, with little/no alcohol, no big fudgey-sweet notes nor any significant amount of toasted oak. Excellent stuff.
The draught version was in excellent shape and showed little/no oxidation or tiredness. As expected, the bottle was more tired and showed light-to-moderate oxidation. Definitely a drink-now, but will still be enjoyable for a few more years.
Tried
from Bottle
on 27 Mar 2018
at 18:10
8.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
Bottle opened by Ryan at Logan's house. Pours black, with a small, fizzy, brown head. Decadent vanilla bean aroma, with some brownies, light rye malts, and molasses. Very sweet, with almost perfect balance. Very heavy body, with a thick, creamy, and smooth texture. Simply decadent and delicious. Tons of vanilla and light, tasty booze.
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Nov 2017
at 13:02
7.9/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Oxford tastings
Black color, no head. Aroma of vanilla cookies and tobacco. Strong booze, dark caramel flavor, some chocolate, sweet but not syrupy, vanilla, some rye whiskey. Roassted nuts in the final.
Excellent.
Black color, no head. Aroma of vanilla cookies and tobacco. Strong booze, dark caramel flavor, some chocolate, sweet but not syrupy, vanilla, some rye whiskey. Roassted nuts in the final.
Excellent.
Tried
on 10 Sep 2017
at 14:04
7.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 7
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
Dark brown. Not much head. The aroma has a big whack of vanilla, though I also get some chocolate as well. On the palate, it has a fair bit of sweetness. Some vanilla for sure...I like the vanilla character a lot better on the palate than on the nose. There's good chocolate, some dryness in the finish. In general, a good beer, and on the palate the vanilla is actually enjoyable, which isn't usually the case for me.
Tried
on 10 Sep 2017
at 02:13