Rock Bottom Chicago Bourbon Barrel-Aged Strong Scotch Ale

transluscent dark brown, tiny tan bubbles rim glass for a head, some lace. nose dried fruit, hint of bourbon. flavor is caramelly with a touch of fruitiness, and a nice alcoholic note from the barrel. medium bodied, dry sweet finish. an interesting beer, much enhanced by the barrel. on tap @ RBC.

Draft at RBC.Pours a dark translucent brown with a dissipating off-white head. Nose is strongly of cherry candy, vanilla, coconut and some strong bourbon notes, kinda like Buffalo Trace. On tasting, this is a huge beer.a touch of the medicinal notes of the peat come through, astringent as well, like tannins were leached from the oak or something. I dunno, I had a hard time with this one. Wouldn’t care to have this again, too much like Backwoods Bastard...

Pours a dark, cloudy brown with a thin tan head. Sweet aroma of malt, bourbon, vanilla. I thought it had some sweet flavor, heavy malt, with a touch of vanilla, caramel, and bourbon. The bourbon was much lighter than some of their other barrel aged beers. Actually very smooth and it has some dark fruit flavor as well.

tap at RB Chicago...dark mahogany brown, semi-clear, with a thin light tan head.... toffee, vanilla and breaded malt. smells sweeter than what the flavor actually offers...caramel and vanilla flavors with a a prickly dryness in the finish. could have used a little more sweetness on this one for me but still pretty decent.

on tap at RB Chicago. thanks to Kan for giving me half of his snifter pour. pours reddish brown with off white head. nose of bourbon, coconut, wood, caramel, smoke. flavor of bourbon, coconut, caramel, and dark fruit. med body, dry finish. tasty brew.

Served in a snifter at the brewpub: This had a dullish brown body with a modest head. Boozey aroma , sweet with malt, dried fruit, cherries, and a touch of woodiness. Smooth and warming, the flavor saw the addition of some chocolate and vanilla and charcoal. Very nice drink on yet another miserable, cold and rainy day.