Central Waters Brewers Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout

Brewed by Central Waters Brewing Co.
Style: Imperial Stout
Amherst, Wisconsin USA

Blind tasting at Papsø’s
Dark color, mahogany with ruby shades; medium creamy head. The aroma is very nice, clearly it has Bourbon vanilla, persistent, with sweet nuts, ending with an impression of cinnamon and fudge. Unfortunately the flavor shows, for me, some flaws: unwanted sourness, chocolate flavor, the sweetness is gone, some mou (fudge) candy trace, quite harsh final (medium sourness mixed with partially roasted malts). Confused.

I had to fairly adjust the score after the tasting, as it was not mentioned that it was a cherry beer. Originally: 8-4-5-3-11.

Bottle. Pours a muddy dark brown with a thin rind of a head. Not as dark as a stout typically is - more of a dark nut brown. Nose isdried fruit and ashes. Hits the mouth hard with sharp alcohol burn, followed by tart cherries, then some sort of plastic or cheap cake icing. Tastes like a cherry kringle. A real close clone to a chocolate covered cherry, down to the creamy center. Really misses on the lack of "stoutness". Should be called a cherry brown. Very little bourbon or oak/charcoal flavor.

Pours brown with a tan head. Nose is chocolate cherries and a whole lot of bourbon. There’s some oak and stuff, but the bourbon dominates. Flavor is nice. Chocolate cherries with some nice heat. Light body with a dry finish. Not bad at all.

12oz bottle Sampled at Noog4. Thanks to Heemer for bring this bottle. Dark walnut brown pour with a wispy head. Boozy aroma with plenty of Bourbon Barrel and wood. There is also a touch of malt and buttery bourbon. The flavor is powerful. Initially sweet but moves quickly to bourbon and tons of wood. It is a bit overly alcoholic. Slick mouth feel and full body. Not bad, but where are the cherries?

12oz bottle. pours black with tan head. nose of cherries and chocolate. flavor of sour cherries, and milk chocolate, some roast. i think this stout just gets overwhelmed by the cherries.

12 oz bottle. Dark brown with a creamy tan head. Nose of bourbon and cherry with mocha. Tangy and tart with a medium body. Taste is bourbon, coffee and cherry. Leaves an earthy crabapple and bitter chocolate finish. Too much.

#26 Bottle. [Papso Shady blind Tasting 2009] Small bubbly beige head that mostly diminished. Spare display of lacework. Dark mahogany color. Aroma of berries, citrus, fruit, mild toasted malt, light vinegar, mild wood like feel. Medium bodied with a soft carbonation. Light to moderated sweet and acidic flavor. Light sour fruity finish. 7 / 3 / 7 / 3 / 15 = 3.5

"Very nice, how much?" Well, actually since you asked, it was $5 for this little 12 ozer but well worth every penny. Colour is a dark brown, with a red hue, it almost takes on a purpleish colour- not trying to scare you away, beautiful body. Thin tan head, light brownish colour with an aroma which is of chocolate covered cherries soaked in bourbon. Oak, dark dark chocolate and earth. Mouthfeel is creamy, incredibly satisfying and coffee-like. Wicked tastey, delightful on my palate. Flavors again are of over ripe cherries, maybe black cherry, chocolate, burnt coffee and slight carmel. Cherries are evident, but not overpowering, yet so real.