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Goose Island's Bourbon County Brand Stout began as an experimental batch three decades ago and has become a benchmark for American barrel-aged stouts. The 2021 release spent approximately 14 months maturing in bourbon barrels, reaching 14.4% alcohol. The aroma opens with vanilla and bourbon heat, layered beneath roasted malt character. On the palate, cacao, hazelnuts, and dark dried fruits—raisins and figs—mingle with caramel and toffee from the barrel contact. The finish is smooth and warming, the bourbon influence lingering gently without overwhelming. Full-bodied and creamy, this stout strikes a remarkable balance between the intensity of roasted grain and restrained bitterness. A testament to patient barrel work and malt discipline.