Bourbon Barrel Aged Koffi

Specialty Wood-Aged Beer | Year-Round | United States

By Nelson Crowle

Judges Rating: 87
Aroma: 21
Appearance: 6
Flavor: 36
Mouthfeel: 8
Overall Impression: 16

Bourbon Barrel Aged Koffi Porter was evaluated as a Wood Aged Beer (BJCP 2015 Style 33B, Specialty Wood Aged Beer) with the underlying style as Spice/Herb/Vegetable (BJCP 2015 Style 30A, because of the coffee), and the base beer closest to a Baltic Porter (BJCP Style 9C).  Nice roasty sweet chocolate greets the first sniff, with hints of black licorice, tobacco, and black raisins. The beer is a very dark brown, but clear, with a medium head of small deep tan bubbles that fade to a ring. First taste is a big sweet chocolate, lots of coffee, low levels of overripe plum, and roasty. Notes of coconut, vanilla, and a slight bourbon-y character. A clean fermentation with even balance of malt and bittering, and an off dry finish that lingers with sweet and bitter chocolate. The malt provides a medium full body with a smooth mouthfeel. The bourbon barrel comes across but well balanced with the base beer. This would be a really nice beer with dry rubbed spicy short ribs.