Full Sail Top Sail Imperial Porter Bourbon Barrel Aged

22 oz bottle
Thanks to a generous soul for sending this in a trade. I could not wait any longer to crack it open, especially with the memory of other top notch Full Sail releases etched in my mind. This one did not disappoint; I wish it were not retired.

Aroma / Appearance - The deep black body was sticky with a sheen of lacing and head the color of semitransparent stained cedar. The bourbon aspect is strong but balanced against the chocolate, licorice, and smoke. Extremely focused with a purpose it is very inviting.

Flavor / Palate - The chewy mouthfeel requires some contemplation. Vanilla, bourbon, licorice, and a lingering warmth mark an very well done and thought out experience. The smoky chocolate finish lingers in the throat urging another sip until there is nothing left.

Nose was strong of dark cocoa powder and figs. Poured black with a thin tan head. Taste starts off strong on chocolate, then a large almost astringent oak taste, and washes clean with warm bourbon.

22oz bottle from 2008. Pours black with a small tan head that left some spotty lacing. Tons of bourbon, fig, vanilla and oak on the nose. Good flavor but not quite up to par with the great nose of this beer. Flavors of vanilla, bourbon, dark dried fruits and a light boozy finish.

Bomber from 2008 with a 47 on the cap under the foil. Big bourbon nose with vanilla and oak over chocolate. Very light alcohol (not harsh or boozy) and berry with a hint of coconut milk. This aroma is heavenly, one of the few 10/10’s I’ll ever give. Deep dark brown-black pour with a creamy dark brown head. Taste is very dry, sweet only around the teeth, with gentle roast and firm whiskey notes. Lightly ashy aftertaste but very smooth, alcohol warms without burning, wood and figs on deep chocolate and lessened vanilla bean. Medium body is viscous but not fat, might have some oaten slickness in there but the pct of grist would have to be low. Easily my favorite barrel-aged beer, pervasive tenderness with unremitting waves of complex flavor.

Wow. What a nose. Pure boubon goodness. This is a big beer, which surprised me a little, as the body was a little thin (perhaps due to the aging?). Very malty and a pure sipper, but what a treat. Thanks TimE!!

Big thanks to jake65 for sending this one in a trade. 22 oz. bottle. Pours black with a thin-moderate brown head that quickly dissipated and was gone after a couple of sips. Very pleasant aroma of bourbon, vanilla, and caramel along with some alcohol vapors. I was surprised when I took my first sip at how weak the flavor was compared to the aroma. The same bourbon, vanilla and caramel are present, but taste watered down. Brash alcohol heat towards the finish. Thin, watery body. This one started out very nicely, but unfortunately ended up a bit disappointing.

Thanks to Emacgee for sharing this one! Jet black pour with frothy tan head and spotty lace. Chocolate and bourbon on the nose. Bittersweet flavor with big roasty notes underlined with subtle hints of bourbon, vanilla, and fig

Nice. Super dark and creamy. Viscous with legs. Bourbon, vanilla, oak, strong with lots of alcohol present. Sweet and roasty. A bit warming and not that smooth.