“An Imperial Stout boasting 12 different malts and hopped with Simcoe and Columbus. It was aged for 16 weeks in Makers Mark bourbon barrels and then split three ways to create three different, yet complementary brews. This batch is just straight-up delicious Imperial Stout with no extra additions, allowing the barrel influence to shine through.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Glossy black with two fingers of light brown foam emerging on top. Good retention and healthy lace work as it ebbs.

Aroma: We honestly don’t know what to expect from this little BA Imperial Stout series. We recall a few years ago having an awful Stout from these guys but then they go and brew one of the best Stouts for GABS ’21 (or 2022. Forgive us our memories of those nights are a bit hazy…as you could imagine ). The first few whiffs are unfortunately uninspiring. Lackluster Stout base and shy Bourbon/oak notes. Hhmm.

Flavour: Thankfully it picks up a bit here. We’re getting some much-loved ferocity from the charred malts and dark chocolate along with hints of sweet and spicy honey and nutty/toasty oak from the Maker’s Mark barrels. On that, Maker’s Mark are very impressive barrels to acquire and were not 100% sold that they’re getting the full potential out of them. Whether they’re first use or not hasn’t been disclosed so our guess is that they’re not.

Mouthfeel: Nice and full, muscly and oily. Co2 is right on the money and the 10% ABV is intermittent.

Overall: Look, it’s nowhere near Deeds or Boatrocker level but it’s OK. We’d say more on par with the Hawkers stuff – decent but with some flaws. A real positive with this is its price point (around $12 a tinny) which is very affordable. Unlike uh hum…Hawkers.