Beer Spotlight: Voodoo Brewing’s “Very Old” Barrel-Aged Box Set

We’re all in the thick of the holidays, and with it the chaos of family visits, wrapping gifts, and forgetting to move the Elf, among other things. But it’s not all chaos. In the midst of the noise, there need to be moments of peace, and during those moments there should be something dark, malty, and strong in hand. But then there are the joys of box sets. Not as commonplace in today’s market, but especially festive given their almost-advent calendar-like appeal. I’m back with Voodoo Brewing in the spotlight, providing my perspective and tasting notes on their Very Old box set. While I had to blow the dust off this one, it’s a masterclass in barrel aging and I felt it was well deserving of a spot under the tree this year, even if it is approaching 4 years since its original release.

Barrel aging isn’t limited to dark, spirit-driven beers.
The same patience, wood influence, and time that shape barrel-aged stouts also define barrel-aged sour beers, where wild fermentation and extended aging create layered acidity, funk, and depth. Across styles, barrels act as a slow, transformative force refining beer not through intensity, but through evolution.

The “Very Old” Barrel-Aged Box Set

Much like the name of the beers I’ll be examining, Voodoo Brewing can be called the same in the craft beer world. Emerging onto the scene in 2005, they’ve redefined versatility, set new precedents with their attention to detail, and set an entirely new standard for brewery barrel programs all over the world. Originating in Meadville, PA, Voodoo now has over 20 locations all over the country, and their diverse portfolio can be found and enjoyed just about anywhere.

Editor’s Note: The tasting notes below reflect the author’s observations and are presented for descriptive purposes. They are not the result of The Beer Connoisseur’s formal single-blind judging process.

Voodoo’s Very Old box set was introduced on February 19, 2022 as the newest VBC Barrel Room Collection opportunity. This project had been in the works for three years, stemming from an opportunity in 2019 to purchase a lot of 5 freshly dumped barrels with “old age” statements ranging from 16 to 33 years in age. A brand new stout was designed for the occasion, dubbed “Very Old”, with the singular batch being split between the five different barrels. The result was their most limited BRC release to-date at the time.

Beers Included in the “Very Old” Box Set

Each of the variations in this limited BRC release spent 33 months in each barrel, and the set was complete with accompanying glassware and presented in a custom-designed wooden box courtesy of Wood Grain Crafts. Countless hours and commitment went into making these sets a reality, with each including the following:

In addition to the 5 bottles in the set, I’ll also be discussing a follow-up to the Very Old sets that was announced in April of the same year as a separate BRC release: Very Old Rye. Shortly after Voodoo filled the initial set of Very Old barrels, the team was presented with another opportunity to purchase some 18-year-old Sazerac Rye barrels. However, as a way to make this Very Old release uniquely its own, they took the original Very Old base and added three varieties of rye malt to allow it to really allow the grain to be the star of the show. The beer then aged in the Saz18 barrels for 30 months before Voodoo released this standalone VO variation to the public.

Tasting Notes: The “Very Old” Barrel-Aged Beers

Very Old 16

Pitch-black in the glass with sandy brown bubbles, the nose opens with dark chocolate and raisin before smoky peat emerges, layered with hints of anise and toffee. The palate showcases barrel character – rye spice, smoke, whiskey-soaked raisin, blistered oak, and a touch of vanilla – while a medium-full, silky mouthfeel carries subtle carbonation. A faint astringent bitterness lingers on the finish, balanced by gentle heat.

Very Old 18

Pouring like motor oil, perfectly still in the glass, the nose offers baking cocoa and vanillin with hints of smoked leather and oaky astringency, a balance of sweet and dry. The palate is dry and oak-forward, framed by roasty acidity, with woody spice, bitter chocolate, and a touch of nuttiness lingering through a balanced finish. Silky-smooth with low, sharp carbonation, it closes dry and mildly bitter, warmed by gentle heat.

Very Old 19

Pitch-black in the glass with a tight tan ring of bubbles, the nose is sweet and dry, dominated by dark chocolate and toasted oak, with emerging notes of toffee, vanillin, and increasing bourbon influence. On the palate, barrel character shines – dry chocolatey base complemented by boozy, astringent oak, toasty vanilla, and roasted malt – embodying a no-nonsense barrel-aged imperial stout. Medium-full and slightly thinned by aging, the mouthfeel carries low, sharp carbonation, finishing with gentle astringency yet surprisingly smooth for the nearly 13% ABV.

Very Old 22

Pitch-black in the glass with virtually no agitated carbonation, this beer appears still, though tiny, tight bubbles circle as it settles. The nose is dry and complex, featuring baker’s chocolate, tobacco, smoked leather, and cigar box, with a hint of raisiny sweetness on the finish. The palate mirrors these notes with added richness – charred oak, firewood, raisin, and gentle astringency – putting the barrel front and center. Light-to-medium in body, with low carbonation, it finishes with subtle bitterness and warming ethanol.

Very Old 33

Pitch-black and poured nearly still, with a few lazy bubbles clinging to the glass, this beer opens with burnt caramel leading into baking cocoa, pipe tobacco, smoked vanilla, stewed raisin, and charred oak. The palate is a barrel-forward powerhouse – oaky astringency dominates, complemented by toasted malt, smoked chocolate, toffee, and medium-roast coffee. Medium-bodied with higher-than-expected carbonation, it’s soft and seltzery, finishing with noticeable heat and lingering bitterness. At nearly four years old from 33-year bourbon casks, it’s a complex, evolving expression where the barrel’s weight is both a feature and a choice.

Very Old Rye

Pitch-black in the glass with just a faint, slow-rising beige head, the nose offers dark chocolate, smoked malt, and firewood, rounded by whiskey-soaked astringency and a hint of nuttiness. The palate is a Rye barrel-aged masterclass – chocolatey sweetness opens the profile, followed by woody spice, smoke, toasted caramel, and subtle roasty acidity. Slick and medium-bodied, with low but present carbonation, it finishes with gentle bitterness, balanced heat, and lingering ethanol warmth. Certainly as-advertised in terms of a variation from the set that chose to ensure every eye was on the rye.

The Last Pour: Reflections on Voodoo Brewing’s “Very Old” Set

Voodoo Brewing’s Very Old set is yet another testament to the art and patience of barrel aging. Much like other notable barrel-aged projects associated with Voodoo Brewing – Зангиеф, 2 Live Gran Cru Vol. 5, αphotic, and ManBearPig – each bottle carries its own personality, shaped by decades-old barrels and years of careful maturation. That said, all share a unifying depth, richness, and complexity that make every Barrel Room Collection release a true collector’s delight. The beers from this lineup, from the smoky, chocolate-laden notes of Very Old 16 to the rye-forward elegance of Very Old Rye, include a full spectrum for every contemplative sip, and every occasion that calls for something special.

Whether you’re revisiting this set after a few years or discovering it here for the first time, this exclusive 2022 release reminds me why barrel-aged stouts remain one of craft beer’s most captivating experiences. It’s a layered journey from the first pour to the last  – one that rewards every once of patience and attention you give it. In the chaos of the holidays, or any time of year, these beers are the perfect companion for moments that deserve a little indulgence, reflection, and appreciation of the craft.