It's very good. Not quite $11 good. If they use Old Engine Oil as the base then this is quite a transformation. Smoky and chocolatey but not particularly sweet. Perhaps that is the scotch vs. bourbon. The flavors are more subtle and it takes time to parse them. Even though it's expensive, it's very satisfying for 8% alcohol. Thicker and richer than I expected. Nice job on that front. I payed $5/bottle for KBS, though, and Expedition Stout is less than $3. But those are both over 11%. Tempting but I don't think I'll pay up for more of this.

Really well made. Started out tasting like cold coffee but the chocolate took over as it warmed. Only detected the chiles in the aroma and the aftertaste. Nice and thick. I wouldn't guess 13%. And it seems unnecessary. Maybe it tames the other strong flavors? Chocolate was unsweetened and blended perfectly. I'd like to see a version just with chocolate and vanilla. I could leave the coffee and chiles. Also not worth the hefty price tag. Reasonable to pay < $5 but ≥ $8 feels like a scam.

A little more bitter than I remembered. Smoothed a bit as it warmed but still more coffee and dark chocolate than I prefer. Bourbon is barely there right now to my palate.

This is the best KBS has ever tasted to me. So balanced and chocolaty, but not rich. Deceptively smooth at nearly 12% ABV. Thinner than many consider ideal for big stouts but screw that, this is basically perfect. A little bitter but coffee doesn't overwhelm. Bourbon is surprisingly low key which really lets the other flavors shine.

Harsher than the 2016 but has more flavor. Hope it will settle a bit in the bottle. Exquisitely balanced as always.

Past its prime by this point, less than 18 months old. Not much chocolate left. I get bitter coffee and molasses finish. I'll have a 2017 soon to compare. At 1 year old this was still nearly identical to the fresh batch.

Smoother mouthfeel than the 2017 but coffee has dropped off significantly. I like the 2017 better already and I expect it to smooth out quickly as ot settles in the bottle.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

I like this vintage a little cooler. Surprisingly, that's where the barrel character comes to the fore. Less distinct and balanced as it warms. I experienced something similar with the BA Silhouette, so maybe it's my palate changing with all the big beers I've been drinking this winter. Really good when it's good, at those lower temps. Not refrigerator cold, but cooler than I typically drink by high gravity beers.

Kind of a mess right now, honestly. Boozy, harsh and thin. Carbonation overwhelms. Nice vanilla flavors but way too fresh at 8 days old. Should be nice later, though.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.

Disappointing, especially at the price point. Not much whiskey character. Had to warm up to near room temp before it smoothed out, that was unexpected. Maybe I should have drunk this young and there would have been more whiskey? It was quite pleasant once it warmed up, though. It had a rich flavor and mouthfeel. I'm not buying any more of this stuff, though. Too much money. The BA Old Stock ale was phenomenal but this was not worth it. I've heard people bash BCBS as overpriced but BA Rasputin is double the cost of BCBS and nowhere near as good. I know it was just one year but a poor showing for $20+.

This is insanely good. Pure dessert. Hops barely present compared to the 2017 at this point. Not sure how much to attribute to vintage vs. age.

Drank a bottle with a dessert consisting of butterscotch pudding and homemade shortbread. Really brought out the "American" style. Hops were much more prevalent when consumed with sweeter foods. Still amazing every time.

Best just below room temperature.

So, this takes 2 or 3 years of aging to get it where I want it. The bite is gone, the heat is gone, so smooth and rich. Tastes unmistakably like a barleywine, and an American barleywine at that, but so well integrated. One of the few worth the cellar space. Sigh, not quite Straightjacket but half the price.

Life.

This was a little more woody tasting earlier on but now the sweeter stickiness is coming out just like you want from a barleywine.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.