Bourbon Barrel Aged Laika

Bourbon Barrel Aged Laika by Straight to Ale Brewery is being judged as a Wood Aged Beer (Category 33A) with an Imperial Stout (Category 20C) base according to the 2015 BJCP Guidelines.

This beer pours a very dark brown with hazy clarity when a light is held to it. A creamy, mocha colored head of tiny bubbles is sustained with moderate retention and leaving a lovely lacing on the glass as the beer is consumed and the beer sticks to the side of the glass when tilted hinting to a higher ABV. The initial aroma is a wave of medium-high plum and prune fruit coupled with well-tempered, but noticeable alcohol. There are slight hints of wood and vanilla lactones and Bourbon from the barrel use. A low roast and chocolate flavor provide a base for a medium-low neutral malt sweetness. No hops are detectable behind the intensity of the esters. On the sip, medium (bordering medium-high) malt sweetness is quickly canceled out by a medium-high ethyl alcohol. This quickly transitions to a medium bitterness accentuated by medium-low dark roast with low bitter chocolate flavor. Mid-palate there is a slight meaty note in the flavor. The medium plum and prune esters linger into the aftertaste along with sweetness from the malt. This beer finishes medium sweet. This beer has a full body with a lovely creamy and smooth aspect. The carbonation is perceived as medium, though prickly, and probably a higher volume than perceived due to the viscosity of the body. A pleasant medium intensity alcohol warmth is noted in the beer. Overall, I found this particular sample to be too ester forward and slightly muted, lacking the rich, deep, complex malt character of world-class examples of the style.