Lexington "Kentucky" Bourbon Barrel Ale

I don't know what goes into getting a copyright on the name of a state. The issue with doing this - at least for my blog - is that the Kentucky label now has all of the beers that I've reviewed that were brewed in the... moonshine state(?) along with all of the ones that are actually from this brewery. Fortunately, the ACTUAL brewery has a much worse name: Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company. My label will be Alltech.

The startlingly clear beer is a bright mahogany color that emits a significant head right out of the bottle. The center of the bourbon barrel that this was aged in wafts off the top of the beer immediately upon being poured. The deep wood lined with heavy alcohol is highlighted by vanilla. There was a time that I wouldn't know how to approach this beverage, but I have really grown to like these barrel aged beers. Let's see if this is going to join the pantheon of deliciousness.

First sip is crisp and striking. A sweet butterscotch is oozing into the rather blunt wood and its associated alcohol heft. The end seems to bring brown sugar and graham crackers, and the vanilla highlights the whole way around. It is quite unique compared to most of the other bourbon barrel beers that I've had, and I'd have to say that I really enjoy the sip, even with its somewhat dry finish. I wonder what proper swig would taste like.

Tip-in is solid wood with caramel malt and toffee, but the wood dries out any sweetness that feels like it's building. The middle echoes the smooth butterscotch center, but the oak and the ever-present alcohol is weighing everything down while the vanilla tries to lift it up. The finish is where those graham crackers and brown sugar hiding, but a dryness once again takes their sweetness away for the trail off.

Bottom Line: It has a lot of character, and it came in a six pack.

3.25/5