Fremont Brewing Bourbon Barrel Dark Star

__Aroma:__ “Bourbon, vanilla, and alcohol at first, and then some light chocolate, roast, and light smoke. There are also some dark caramel notes, malty sweetness, toffee, oak, bourbon, and licorice.” __Flavor:__ “Huge sweet milk chocolate. It’s a dance between the roast and the chocolate, with some malt sweetness. Notes of caramel, coffee as well, and from the barrel, some smoky wood, moderate oak tannins, and vanilla. Black licorice, with raisin, plum, and prunes that come out as if eaten straight from a bowl, supported by the bourbon and malt sweetness.” __Overall:__ “The flavor was unexpectedly great, considering the lightness of the aroma. The chocolate and roast of the base beer stand up well to the barrel and all the sweetness. Definitely drink this beer on the warmer side.”

“Toffee aroma with hints of vanilla, caramel, raisin, chocolate, and apple. The flavor blast of brown sugar and caramel quickly melts into a complex blend of toffee, coffee, vanilla, crème brûlée, and spiced-rum.”

**Aroma:** “Thick mocha shake—creamy coffee-chocolate combo with a nice spicy alcohol nose. Moderate roast and plum, touch of cherry. Perhaps a touch of cinnamon.” **Flavor:** “Moderate dark chocolate with a lighter body than expected. High coffee notes with an earthy, peppery note. Light vanilla note toward the end of the sip. High carbonation doesn’t create a bite but perhaps masks a slight alcohol note. Slightly smoky and touch of cinnamon, notes of nutmeg, smooth warming alcohol with a bit of spice. Good oak woodiness without going too tannic. Finishes medium-dry with a touch of heat and carb bite.” **Overall:** “This imperial stout has a big earthy/woodsy barrel character. It’s lighter than expected with a coffee/chocolate-forward note. Alcohol warming but not hot. Nice mocha flavor, big and smooth. A well made coffee beer. Everything comes together nicely.”