Sigman Stavecation by Pontoon Brewing is a barrel-aged Imperial Milk 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 noted for strong, rich chocolate and roasted malt flavors, black color with opaque clarity, and full body and smooth mouthfeel. Sigman Stavecation was aged in Blanton bourbon barrels and measures in at 13.9% ABV.

Sigman Stavecation pours jet black in color and opaque with a dark brown head. The aroma is strong bourbon, toasted oak and vanilla along with a strong roasted and chocolate malt notes. The flavor is strong roasted and chocolate malts along with a slightly lighter coconut, vanilla, bourbon and toasted oak. The body is medium-full with a mouthfeel that has a strong creaminess and smoothness; a light warmth contrasts the smoothness. The finish is of moderately light bitterness with a lingering roasted and chocolate malt over lighter bourbon, toasted oak and vanilla flavors.

Sigman Stavecation is an excellent bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout. The stout is smooth, rich, and very well-balanced. Be sure to seek this great beer out!a