Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Stout by Wild Leap Brew Co. is a barrel-aged imperial stout and is being evaluated as a Specialty Wood-Aged Beer (category 33B from the 2015 BJCP Beer Style Guidelines). Specialty Wood-Aged Beers are aged in spirit barrels and should have a harmonious blend between the barrel characters (typically vanilla and toasted oak) and the barrel spirits. Imperial stouts are the strongest beers in the stout family, and they are noted for strong, rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors, black color with opaque clarity, full body and smooth mouthfeel. Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Stout measures in at 13.7 percent ABV.

Buffalo Trace Barrel Aged Stout pours black in color, is opaque, and sports a small, fading brown head. The aroma is moderately strong roasted, chocolate and caramel malts with moderate spirits. The flavor is quite boozy with prominent spirits and warmth; lighter roasted and chocolate malts complement the spirits with a light sweetness. The beer finishes lightly bitter with prominent spirits and warmth along with lighter chocolate and roasted malts.

This is a very pleasant barrel-aged beer that is heavy on the bourbon. The imperial stout base style is well done but takes a little backseat to the spirit. The BJCP guidelines are not in favor of such beers, but many of us barrel-aged beer fans prefer our barrel-aged beers to be spirit-heavy (and if you do, definitely seek this one out!).