Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Brewed by Saint Louis Brewery
Style: Imperial Stout
Maplewood, Missouri USA

2006 bottle from indra?... lighter pour than expected with a small off white head... spicy bourbon-y nose without a lot of the usual associated burn... caramel, vanilla, light vitamin notes, chocolate and something nutty/coffee. add char to the list of aroma characteristics to get the flavor profile. it does have a nice balance and control of the barrel qualities. too often there is way too much heat and bourbon covering up a good beer. not the case with this one. low carbonation along with a medium/thin medium body makes this an easy drinker. 7/3/7/4/17/3.8

[Vintage 2008] Bottle... Poured deep amber/brownish with a beige head. Bourbon and roasted grains on the nose. Mellow, low carbonated palate. Nutty flavors with bourbon alcohol. Smoked malts and chocolaty finish.

750ml bottle (2007 vintage) Pours dark cola color with a good white head with good lacing. Aroma is thick molasses, Bourbon and sugar malt. smells good. Flavor is Strong Bourbon, dark fruit, molasses, caramel and a slight alcohol. Taste as good as i looks and smells. The finish is caramel and Bourbon. Good beer. Would drink again.

750ml bottle (2007 vintage) served in a snifter. Dark brown pour with a few cola and mahogany highlights topped by a one-finger thick head of creamy tan foam that quickly settled. Slick lacing. The aroma included burnt caramel, molasses, bourbon, light vanilla, and also a hint of bittersweet chocolate. The flavor had strong bourbon, caramel, dark fruits, cocoa, and also some brown sugar. Finished with some bourbon alcohol warmth. Full-bodied. Lightly carbonated. The bourbon was a little upfront for my tastes, but not bad overall.

Drank August 7,2009 Vintage 2008. Pours dark brown with medium tan head. Okay, must admit this is my very first barrel-aged imperial stout. Alcohol hits the tongue along with smoke, vanilla, caramel, coffee. Just a wee bit out of the "beer" category for my tastes. To me the alcohol is not hidden, it smacked me right off the bat. Do not think this style will ever be high on my list.

Sampled at the 8th Annual Music City Brewer’s Festival. Dark brown with a tan head. You notice the bourbon qualities right off the bat with this stout. Nose is of roast, coffee, toffee, butterscotch, and vanilla... oh yeah and bourbon. Flavors of bourbon especially up front. After that there are waves of layered flavors of more bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate. Great mouth feel just adds to this fantastic beer. Best brew that I’ve ever had to use bourbon barrel aging. Salud. A near classic in my eyes.

Sampled at the 8th Annual Music City Brewer’s Festival. Dark brown, tan head. Aroma is mostly vanilla and wood, some sweet chocolate, roast, caramel. Taste is bourbon, vanilla, caramel, toasted oak.

2008 Bottle - Thanks BrewCzar! - Pours a dk brown with a medium tan head...aroma is mostly bourbon oak, with some cocoa and dark fruit, malty and sticky...flavour is similar, sweet and only a bit hot, bourbon, vanilla, charred wood...gotta hand it to Schlafley for putting this widowmaker into a 750...in no single way subtle, this is over the top enough to further aggravate those who are critical of and past BA Imp Stouts, but I still really enjoyed it and didn’t mind the excessive barrel...