Central Waters Brewers Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout

Thanks to CaptainCougar for the bottle. I had to break this out after I had the diacetyl-infused regular BB stout. Deep brown to mahogany pour with a large head. Aroma of oak, bourbon, brown sugar and just a bit of cherries. Flavor is funky-sour cherries (almost like brett?), wood, bourbon and dark roasted malts. This seems like a toned-down version of New Glarus Cherry Stout. The stout taste gets over-run, but you can’t help but like it.

Date: 04/25/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting

black with brown edges, wispy tan head, touch of lace, woody aroma with sweet cherry and a bit of bourbon plus a touch of hot buttered funk, creamy body, lots of cherry flavor, the cherry and the bourbon blend with a nice sweetness that turns into imitation butter, some dark malts and chocolate come through,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 8/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.6/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: **4

Thanks to hopdog for breaking this one open... Appears a dark chestnut color with a light tan head that fades into a mild cap and collar. Spotty streaks of lacing are left around the glass. Smell is of oaky bourbon, caramel, vanilla, melted sugar, and ripe fruit. Taste is of the mentioned aromas with tart, black cherries shining through as well. Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, boozy, sweet, and tart.

12oz, no date. Deep brown with a 1/2 finger tan head, fading to a thick film. Aroma has some tart cherries, oak and vanilla, a good amount of butterscotch and milk chocolate. There are also some hazelnuts. The roasted malts aren’t as dominant as I’d imagine with an imperial stout. Flavor is fruity, woody, and acidic from both of the aforementioned flavors. The roast is thankfully more prominant, though still not the biggest flavor. Medium body with light to moderate carbonation, though it is slightly thinner than I’d have liked. Never got sweet, never got bitter, either--more woody and fruity acidic if anything. Dry finish. A good amount of toffee is there. This is pretty much the Bourbon Barrel Stout with cherries added--go figure. I honestly don’t really pick up on anything else other than the cherries, though I like the original bourbon barrel more.

Bottle… Mostly clear, chestnut-colored ale with an orange tint and a small, creamy, khaki head. Good retention. The aroma is a bit grainy, but is otherwise a marriage of bourbon, cherry, chocolate and caramel with undertones of brown sugar and cinnamon. The fruity, woodsy flavor is all tart cherries, sour mash and oak. Medium-bodied with an acidic, dry finish. Kudos to nflmvp for providing the bottle!

12oz bottle. Poured a dark brown color with red edges and a small sized off white head. Aromas of wood, light bourbon, caramel, cherries, chocolate, vanilla, and nuts. Tastes of wood, tart cherries, light bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate.

Poured a dark brown / red color with a small, light tan head that left light lacing on the glass. Aroma of bourbon, roasted malts, vanilla, black cherry, chocolate, and nuts. Taste of tart cherry, vanilla, bourbon, light roasted malts, and some chocolate as well. No alcohol detected here.

Pours a medium brown with a ruby red and a medium off white bubbly head. Aroma of tart cherries, light roasted malts, caramel, some milk chocolate, vanilla, hints of bourbon. Flavor was a mix of the same with the chocolate, cherries, vanilla, light roastiness and hints of bourbon.