-Reviewed- Bourbon County Stout

 I drink, therefore I am. I believe someone famous wrote that. Wait, that's not right, it's "I think", therefore I am. Anyway, in philosophy it's supposed to prove one's existence or something like that. The experience of enjoying good beer might also prove one's existence I would say, wouldn't you? One of the BEST of said great beers, and one of my favorite varieties, are the bourbon barrel aged beers. These can be such a sublime experience that if you've never had a bourbon barrel aged beer before, be sure to place the one I am about to review on your "bucket-list" -one to try before you die!

Goose Island produces some damn fine beers. And there are certain breweries that just happen to produce the best beers in their category. Take for example, the Double/Imperial IPA category. Beers such as Rajah's Royal IPA, by Harmon Brewing in Tacoma, WA., Stone Brewing's 10th Anniversary Ale, or Ballast Point's Dorado (this one sadly is no longer being produced).

Or in the case of what I am reviewing this time, not just a Stout, but perhaps the very best Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout of all time... the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. This is one of my "holy grail" beers. As in, "stranded on a desert island where you can have any beer(s) you want to help you survive", beers. I'd definitely have this along with a few select others.

The Bourbon County Stout begins in a typical, unassuming 12oz bottle with a plain white label and fine print -nothing that hints of the wonderful boozy treat inside. And I do mean BOOZY. But we'll come back to that later. However, it's the "print" on the label that does forecast the "perfect storm" waiting for you inside this bottle. A storm of wonderful complex aromas, flavors, and consistency. Yet there's no chaos in this storm. Everything is layered in perfect harmony with each other. (I only use the term "storm" because of how powerful this is, and how MUCH there is to savor!)

This sublimely viscous liquid pours "black" into my small Delirium Tremens snifter. The perfect glass for a beer so close to a fine brandy in many ways that it's surprising. Black as obsidian and completely opaque. I even tested this by holding my glass right up to a very bright halogen lamp and could not detect any other color whatsoever. An interesting note: Even with an aggressive pour there is very little carbonation or head to speak of. The tiniest lacing is left on the glass only when tipped for a sip, and then disappears immediately. What remains is the thinnest ring of extremely fine bubbles around the inside of the glass.

Taking a step or two back, when poured there is also a very noticeable "boozy" aroma that makes itself know well before I even get the glass close to my nose for that phase of the tasting. Which of course hints at what's coming next. Upon closing the eyes and taking a slow, steady, and long draw through the nose in the glass I am greeted by a sickly, but not at all unpleasant "sweetness" that gives way to layer upon layer of intense aromas. Among these are hints of vanilla, malt, burnt wood, caramel/toffee/popcorn -like Cracker Jack, a slight touch of cocoa that reminds me of Cocoa Puffs cereal for some reason, and bourbon. Oh yes, the bourbon! The Grand Patriarch of this family of aromas which makes himself know to you at any and all times. But this is a good thing!

Folks, to say this is a strong beer is an understatement. Upon tasting, bubbles miraculously appear and begin to gently scrub your tongue. The mouth feel is rich, thick, creamy, and viscous. An explosion of similar flavors to what the nose experienced fill my mouth, but with one very important addition. Alcohol. There it is. When smelling this beer you don't really "smell" the alcohol -per se, but the booziness character does give the brain a "heads-up" of what's to come when tasting it. The alcohol is very warming -weighing in at a whopping 13% and not at all hidden. But therein lies the paradox: As much as the alcohol is right up in your face, it's somehow not only tolerable, but you can't help but get the sensation that it BELONGS there! Oh, my God this is good.

To sum this up in two words... Boozy beer. The experience is closest to enjoying an excellent aged brandy, and in other ways somewhat akin to a fine, 30 year old Scotch such as a Highland Park, Glenfiddich, or Ballantine's, but with a "sweet, syrupy edge" to it that makes it soooo quaffable. Yes, this IS beer, but you have to keep reminding yourself of that fact.

If I were ever to have an opportunity to have a master brewer craft a few special beers to my exact specifications and tastes, this would be one of them. And yet, here it is! Gotta give this one a 10 out of 10 bottles!