650 ml bottle in an IP trade with Reggiedunlop, much thanks Kerry! Raven feather black oiliness with a thin tan head. Aroma has a great level of bourbon, subtle hints of vanilla, brownie batter and molasses.

Deep roasted notes of grain, chocolate and molasses, the bourbon notes are bold without the ABV burn. Mild oak note. Possibly the smoothest bourbon flavor in a stout I have ever sampled. No burn even after the swallow, mellowed bourbon. How long did they age this in the barrel? I can’t believe this is a 13% stout... The smooth quality is like nothing I have experienced in a BBA. This stout is masterful in the craftsmanship. If I lived in PA this would get all my attention.

Thanks AirForceHops (again) for bringing this one up. Pitch black, a very dark chocolate head that fades to a few tight bubbles. Looks almost like syrup on the pour. The nose is huge. Tons of raisin, bourbon, vanilla, chocolate, some faint cardamom and cloves. It smells like a huge boozy high alcohol stout. Just loads. Ever had a really great imperial stout aged in Bourbon and then they made it just slightly sweeter than you’d hoped but every other flavor is perfect? This is it. The sweetness is probably the only major pitfall of this beer...maybe 2 years in the bottle would help? But this has everything I want, chocolate, oak, raisins, even some prunes. A little burnt brown sugar and a lot of sweetness. The mouthfeel is not thin, in fact it’s a nice chewy oily body. Lingering taste is table sugar, maple syrup and vanilla.

If this beer were slightly less sweet, it would be perfect. Too much like a dessert for my liking but that’s the only issue.