Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

ABV: 9.9

94/100
Aroma: 11
Appearance: 3
Flavor: 19
Mouthfeel: 4

Fort George Brewery Bourbon Barrel Cavatica

What the brewers say

“Pours jet black with a lacy caramel head. Welcoming aroma of bourbon and roasted barley. Smooth and thick on the palate with a lingering warmness.”

What our panel thought

Aroma: “Strong sweet dark roastiness plus bing cherry and plum esters. Some nice oak character is also present. Some alcohol warmth tickles the nose.”

Flavor: “Dark stone-fruit esters from the nose are also on the tongue and add to the sweetness. Roast blends well with the esters with just a touch of heat on the finish. A red-wine character is paired well with a dark chocolate sweetness and brighter, sweet fruitiness. Some oak character adds complexity with some vanilla sweetness as well. Finishes sweet with some alcohol warmth.”

Overall: “This bold beer wonderfully features red-wine barrel characters with a perfectly crafted imperial stout. Rich and complex with strong esters and a robust roast profile.”

What our editors thought

Review printed in: A Light in the Dark (April-May 2016) (View All Issues)


REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Fort George Brewery Matryoshka

Baker’s chocolate and cinnamon aroma with a touch of leathery sherry. Taste is classic American imperial stout. Well-rounded edges. Roast, barrel, residual sugars are all in balance. Dried dates, dark chocolate, dry espresso, touch of toasted coconut. A really good example of a classic barrel-aged stout.

Pontoon Brewing Company Barrel Aged German Chocolate Cake

“Complex aroma: dark-chocolate cake, pecans, coconut, vanilla, and cookies. Tastes like a decadent chocolate-vanilla pastry, with blackstrap molasses-laced graham crackers. Finishes very sweet.”

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Barrel-Aged Scarface

**Aroma:** “Some sweet dark cherry and raisin character. Nice sweet chocolate. Slight vanilla and oak. A musty red wine barrel character. I imagine this is what an old French wine-barrel room smells like. Medium strong roast dominates with some bright cherry notes dancing on top. Relatively thin overall on the nose.” **Flavor:** “Nice blend of flavors. Some bold roasty notes, nice dark and sweet chocolate notes, and some sweet dark cherry notes. The oak character adds nice complexity to the beer, hitting in the middle and carrying through the finish. The warmth also adds to the taste and cuts some of the sweetness. Some tannins couple with the roast and alcohol to add to the dry finish.” **Overall:** “This is a really smooth and well blended barrel-aged imperial stout. Lots of good malt flavors came together well and worked together throughout the whole beer. An interesting beer that displays a heavy amount of wine barrel that will do well with some age on it.”

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