Barley Island Bourbon Barrel-Aged Raspberry Oatmeal Stout

12oz bottle-pours a dissipating brown head and black color. Aroma is oak, vanilla, dark malt, raspberry. Taste is oak, vanilla, dark malt-charcoal, raspberry, some hops bitterness.

Very let down with this one. I really enjoy Brass Knuckles, and liked the Bourbon Aged Oatmeal Stout. But, this one? Not so much. Very strong bourbon all around, in the aroma, the flavor, everything. The dark berries take a backseat, and the oatmeal isn’t really noticeable at all. Texture is rich and creamy, but the bourbon is just too much.

Cask at the brewery - I must first mention that I am not a fan of the non-raspberry version of this beer. The aroma is initially roasted dark malts with raspberry notes that quickly fades into oak and bourbon. Pours black with a brown ring head and good lacing. Flavor is strong bourbon, roasted dark malts and chocolate with a hint of raspberry. Cask provides a smooth and creamy finish. Overall I think the bourbon is still too much and overpowers the subtleties of the raspberry and base brew. But better than the non-raspberry.