Style: Stout (Barrel-aged)

ABV: 14.0

86/100

Aroma:	11
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	18
Mouthfeel:	4

Solemn Oath Brewery The Black Corridor

What the brewers say

Double Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout which spent ten months in Willet bourbon barrels and an additional six months in Weller bourbon barrels. After barrel-aging, the beer is laid down for an additional six weeks to bottle condition. This process produces minimal carbonation which allows the depth and beauty of the barrel character to shine without the tinge of effervescence.

What our panel thought

Loads of dark chocolate, molasses, marshmallow, roast, and booze waft out of the glass not even pretending to hide the heft that it plans to send your way. Roast, char, and toast flavors are complimented by baker's chocolate, caramel, and a vanilla-like oakiness with a nice warming boozy character that emerges as things linger on the palate. The mouthfeel is full and slick, but the relative lack of carbonation leaves you looking for just a bit of structure.

What our editors thought

Nearly still with no noticeable head and an opaque black body. Dark chocolate, raspberry, a touch of balsamic, almond, leather, and heavy oak char in the aroma. Excessively sweet in the sip as big waves of coconut and almond with minimal bitterness hover on the palate with a gravity-defying weightlessness. It's an interesting experiment, but lacks the luxurious texture that makes this style irresistible.

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How We Review

REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Perennial Artisan Ales Barrel-Aged Abraxas

__Aroma:__ “Smoky chile notes, with cinnamon and vanilla also strong. Hints of plum, sweet tobacco. The base stout’s slight bit of chocolate malt and roast reminds one of French-roast coffee with some maple sweetness.” __Flavor:__ “Notes of dried plums, apricots, cinnamon, chiles. The balance is spot on. The roast base helps balance the sweetness and chocolate, and the barrel brings things together with deep toffee flavor.” __Overall:__ “The barrel character is incredible, only made better by the base beer and adjuncts. Complexity is off the charts, while still maintaining a surprising level of drinkability. Beyond the flavors, the mouthfeel truly sets this apart. Rich, viscous, and full-bodied, but not cloying and just enough backbone to hold the line for the flavors. This is the standard by which all other stouts in this category should be measured.”

Fonta Flora Brewery At Whipoorwill Farm Double Barrel Decoy

“Aroma is intense, rich, vinous booze but has layers of definitively beer-like honey-tinged sweetness. Even the spicy aromas are complex. Gooey raisins and sticky dates. The roasted character comes in with loads of brownie batter, blackberries, bourbon, and a hint of cinnamon and black pepper at the finish. Port and sherry alcohol lingers through the finish. Nothing singular.”

The Bruery Black Tuesday

**Aroma:** “Bourbon! Burnt toast. I could just smell this all day … until I got thirsty. Great roast and nutty qualities with hints of coconut and awesome barrel character—big, boozy bourbon with loads of vanilla. Lots of oak, even with a touch of almond. Caramel malt sweetness and chocolate in excess.” **Flavor:** “Big bourbon notes with vanilla plus huge oaky tannins, chocolate, and caramel. Yeast character is subdued and clean. Hops are hiding in the wings. Tastes like Grandpa’s tobacco pipe smells—warm, comforting, and timeless. Definite bourbon and vanilla sweetness and oak character.” **Overall:** “Such a wonderful beer. The alcohol is no joke, but it’s rich, complex, and sweet. Barrel character complements and balances the base beer. The boozy quality helps to make this beer and builds in layers with the sweet vanilla, bourbon, and chocolate.”

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