Style: Stout (Barrel-aged)

ABV: 15.3

86/100

Aroma:	12
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	16
Mouthfeel:	4

Westbound & Down Brewing Company Western Justice (2024)

What the brewers say

“BBA imperial stout. Smooth, full bodied. Flavors and aromas of chocolate brownies, vanilla, espresso beans, and pralines.”

What our panel thought

“Aroma of chocolate, cherries, and black tea. Malty waves of chocolate, anise, and blackberries, with a substantial hop bitterness. Hoppiness helps counter the sweetness, but still borders on cloying. Finishes on some lighter notes of vanilla and oak. Surprisingly drinkable.”

What our editors thought

“Smoky, meaty aroma with some crisp BBQ bark and a saucy sweet hint. Body is light with midtone malt thrust and sharper bitter roast that appears in the finish.”

Review printed in: The Expanding Maltiverse (Spring 2025) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Ecliptic Brewing Barrel-aged Oort

“Pleasant aroma of rum-soaked candied dates, raisins, and dark chocolate; hints of roast malt, vanilla, caramel. Body’s on the thin side, lacking some of the more decadent qualities of the style.”

Westbound & Down Brewing Company Double Barrel Western Justice

“Restrained whiskey-barrel aroma, with some sweet malt base. Light fruit esters. Rich chocolate, roast, whiskey, with a lighter strawberry note toward the finish.”

Thirsty Dog Brewing Company Barrel-Aged Siberian Night

**Aroma:** “A prominent roastiness, with even a touch char and black licorice. A light sweet chocolate rounds it out, but the roast dominates. Nice sweet malt roast. Chocolate. Some vanilla. Toast.” **Flavor:** “Moderately sweet cherry chocolate with a touch of roast and some vanilla underneath. A nice chocolaty flavor, but it has a hard time rising over the roast. Some barrel character, but overall the roast dominates.” **Overall:** “Fairly true to style in all respects. The heat on the finish is a bit detracting. Other than that, pretty easy drinking. A singularly roast-forward stout with just a touch of barrel character. The chocolate was nice, but the booze was pretty hot throughout this beer.”

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