Bells Bourbon Barrel Batch 7000 Ale

On tap at Maduro prior to the 2007 GTMW: Pours an oily opaque black with dark brown edges and a thin coating of frothy, well-lacing dark brown head. Incredibly rich, sweet dark caramel and chocolate aroma has a good amount of vanilla oaky bourbon complexity and some raisins and brown sugar. Body starts with a full sweetness, dense molten dark cocoa and complex bourbon oak with a mild touch of grapefruity hops that are still fairly assertive given the age. Great bourbon balance and thick, yet smooth palate. An awesome barrel-aged imperial stout!

Imperial stout rating #150. First thing noticed other than a silky dark brown head on a near-pitch black body was a distinct soy note, that had me worried, but it was rather low key and later on in the drink it disappeared, so probably just a result of the slightly too-cool temperature this was initially served at. First taste is rich and decadent buttery mocha and bourbon, extremely heavy and thick on the tongue, with a chocolate residue, so smooth and creamy, with some lighter notes of char and soy. The intensity rises over the back of the palate into a striking finish, complete with sharp bourbon, soothing chocolate and butter, so rich and decadent, creamy like fudge with just a really wonderful bourbon note, not harsh or dry at all, very vivid and alive on the palate. The high alcohol of the 7000 works much better with the bourbon barrels than does the Double Cream/Expedition blend, and at a warmer temperature there was such a serious bourbon note emanating from my glass, it was about as perfect of a winter warmer as you could ask for, relieving and relaxing you from the below freezing temperatures outside. Overall it’s an amazing beer. I was surprised it was so nice, since I wasn’t much of a fan of Batch 7000 (had 4-5 bottles no older than 9 months, which would explain the difference now). Seriously deserving of high praise.

On tap at Maduro – GTMW pre-party. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! Take one of my top-notch stouts and give it a little quality time in the bourbon barrel. Poured deep black with a light ring of darker tan head.. highly-viscous. Aroma was of very deeply-roasted dark chocolates and dark fruity goodness smacked upside the head with a powerful (yet somehow intricate and well-integrated) presence from the barrel.. heavy vanilla and bourbon sugars with splinters of oak

Vanilla and bourbon were also major players in the flavor department, and were very enjoyable!.. well-roasted dark chocolate, dry espresso beans and brandy-like vinous sugars ride through the back end to the long and very warm finish. The booze was not shy in this one, but was quite welcomed! Creamy and thick on the palate with well-placed sourness accenting the roasty finish. Fantastic!!

On tap at Birreria Paradiso, the night after the Bells dinner. Pours an almost darker black than the expedition, with an even deeper more foamy orange head and better lacing! Aroma is way more intense, but not neccesarily better- tons of licorice, sharp black chocolate- tons of burnt black patent malts, nutty, light smoke, and bourbon is a bit sharper. Tons of sugary sweetness, and chocolate with hints of coffee, tons of licorice, tar, chewing tobacco, sharp bourbon, some green young hints that I get in the regular expedion new batches, and fairly bitter despite the sweet middle. A bit harsh and over the top , bourbon makes it seem even stronger than it is and is still very sweet, and not as mellow as the regular 7000- This reminded me a lot more of a Darklord. Pretty damn nice, but not quite as good as the BA expedition/double cream IMO.

Tap at Maduro pre-GTMW party. The beer pours to a murky black body with a small creamy light brown head that mostly dissipates. The aroma is heavy on the roasted black malts, chocolate, pine hops, black fruits, bourbon. The flavor is heavy as well. Roasted black malt, molasses, maple syrup, chocolate, pine hops, bourbon, and charred wood. The palate has a medium sweetness and full body. The texture is oily and really creamy. The alcohol is very noticeable, but I liked that.