Judge’s Review: 92 Rating – Bourbon Street Barrel Aged Imperial Stout by Abita Brewing Company

Specialty Wood-Aged Beer | Limited Release | USA

By Randy Scorby

Judges Rating: 92.00
Aroma: 23.00
Appearance: 6.00
Flavor: 37.00
Mouthfeel: 9.00
Overall Impression: 17.00

Bourbon Street Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, from Abita Brewing Company, is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (Category 33B) from the 2021 BJCP Style Guidelines.
Bourbon Street Barrel Aged Imperial Stout pours black and opaque with brilliant clarity at the edge of the glass. The tan head is thick and moussey, forming a head of fine bubbles on the beer that stands tall in the glass. The aroma greets you with a moderate and prominent aroma of fresh, dark mixed fruity esters and light spicy alcohol. The malt aroma kicks in immediately after with bittersweet chocolate, light caramel, hints of vanilla from barrel aging, and a touch of bourbon character. There is no hop aroma noted.
The flavor transitions to a prominent barrel aged character of vanilla and light bourbon, followed by bittersweet chocolate, light caramel, dark fruity esters and spicy alcohol that burns slightly on the way down. Medium-high hop bitterness emerges mid-palate and grows slightly as it moves through the dry finish, staying smooth. A touch of roast malt appears in the aftertaste. It is balanced to the overall malt character. There is no hop flavor noted. The medium body, light creaminess on the palate, noticeable alcohol warming and moderately low carbonation round out the beer.
This is an enjoyable bourbon barrel aged imperial stout with some complexity to the malt character and smooth hop bitterness in a supporting role. The alcohol is just a bit edgy but that may smooth out over time. The medium body is a touch thin for the base style, but not unusual for a barrel aged beer. The barrel character was spot on and did not dominate the aroma or flavor of the beer. This is a beer worth seeking out, and you might tuck a can or two in the back of your beer fridge for later enjoyment.