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hmm.. well letdown by this one. from the aroma to the mouthfeel to the taste.. not what i had hoped for. i had visions of a Brooklyn masterpiece but this one is not that.

not much to say here other than it's not what i built it up to be in my mind.

Served In: Snifter

Pours an erie shade of midnight black - dark, forboding, light denying. The vigorous pour brings three fingers of the most beautiful looking, mocha colored head I have seen in some time. Retention is amazing for the style and ABV - champagne yeasts at work, I presume. Lacing is thick and stringy - the small cap that remains here reminds of skin on chocolate pudding.
Incredible.

Aroma is quite complex - I get something new every time I hold it to the nose. Sweet milk chocolate at first, this quickly rolls into toffee and vanilla - ah yes, the bourbon barrel aging. A good hearty pull brings coffee to the forefront - rich and dark. Hints at sour cherries, raisins and dates round this out.

First to the tongue is coffee - black, strong and bitter. Following this is a sweetness not too un-like licorice, somewhat muted however. Then comes the the bourbon - strong and hot, with the oak from the barrels being quite evident here - almost overbearingly so - but I dig it. Boozy in the finish.
Let it be clear - this is all about coffee and bourbon barrel aging. Oak all over this.

Full in body, smooth, sticky and DRY mouthfeel (which I personally like). Carbonation is a bit more "zingy" than I care for, but knowing that champagne yeasts were used - it's understandable and interesting - and lends to a very smooth, airy mouthfeel.
Warm boozyness throughout... very nice.

This is one excellent sipper. When I want something big and boozy, roasted coffee, bourbon and oak - I will think Black Ops. I get the use of the champagne yeasts, and what was trying to be done here.... but I find the "zingy" mouthfeel to be a small minus for my personal tastes. While I am in the complaining mood - if this thing were just a touch more viscous in mouthfeel - it would put it over the top.
As it is - an excellent RIS. I am glad I have a couple more to age, as this is a prime candidate for the cellar - and time should allow for some of the sharpness in this to mellow and blend, and at that time, this will be fantasic.
A Must Try.

Served In: Tulip

Bought this based on the "demand vs supply" hype and wished I hadn't. I bought the last one at Whole Foods in NYC after they had received 6 cases.

My initial thought was to trade it, but I decided to crack it open tonight.

The inital sight and smell was very good, but it was all downhill from here.

The first taste was decent, but the mouthful was very thin and lacking any signs of being barrel aged. I can taste a very, very slight taste of the bourbon, but it is almost non-existent.

I was hoping this would get better as it warmed up, but not the case. This beer is very average and very below average compared to many of the barrel aged stouts I've had from other breweries.

Price: $20.00 Served In: Pint Glass