# Goose Island Announced 2021 Bourbon County Line

- Link: https://www.nyrdcast.com/goose-island-announced-2021-bourbon-county-line/
- Published: 2021-08-10T10:43:09-05:00
- Author: Eugene Tierney

Beer nerds rejoice; Goose Island has announced the 2021 Bourbon County lineup. The
barrel aged stout, released on the day after Thanksgiving, is known for the rare
variants that come out each year. This year, there are 8 versions being released,
including a few favorites and a few new ones. Below are the different variants along
with the description from the brewery.

**Bourbon County Stout (14-14.4%)**

[[

Our goal each and every year is to uphold the integrity of Greg Hall’s recipe and
make the best Bourbon County Stout possible—and this year is no exception. Our rich
Imperial Stout is blended from a mix of bourbon barrels from distilleries such as
Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey, and Buffalo Trace, each aged in freshly emptied bourbon
barrels for 8-14 months. Expect flavors of chocolate and vanilla, oak, whiskey, 
and molasses, followed by caramel, berry fruit, and almond.

**Bourbon County Cherry Wood Stout (14.3%)**

[[

At the heart of each Bourbon County are the wood characteristics we thoughtfully
amplify. This year, we took wood complexities to another level by doing something
we’ve never done before: we took fully-matured Bourbon County Stout and finished
it with toasted fruitwood—specifically, honeycomb-shaped cherry wood chips. The 
versatility of the cherry wood and honeycomb shape allowed for maximum flavor extraction,
revealing complex characteristics like red fruit, ripe cherry, and light toffee,
which are not found in the original oak barrel itself. The result is an amazing 
elevation and a notable difference from our Original Bourbon County Stout.

**Bourbon County Reserve 150 Stout (15.6%)**

[[

Our Bourbon County Reserve 150 Stout is aged for one year in Old Forester’s 150th
Anniversary Bourbon Barrels. To celebrate the anniversary, Old Forester’s hand-picked
150 barrels from resting places within the Old Forester barrelhouse, to create three
unique batches honoring founder George Garvin Brown and his process of batching 
from three original distilleries. These hand-picked, limited-edition barrels—combined
with our Imperial Stout—create a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration bourbon and beer
fans alike will appreciate and cherish. Expect barrel-forward flavor with notes 
of chocolate, vanilla, and coconut, followed with molasses, almond, berry, and oak.

**Bourbon County Double Barrel Toasted Barrel Stout (16%)**

[[

Our Double Barrel Toasted Barrel Stout was aged for one year in Elijah Craig’s Small
Batch Bourbon Barrels, then another year in Elijah Craig Toasted Bourbon Barrels.
These toasted barrels are built to the same specifications as normal bourbon barrels
but are more heavily toasted and very lightly charred. Not only does this stout 
embody distinctive elements from Elijah Craig’s award-winning Small Batch Bourbon
Barrels—like warm spice & vanilla—it also deepened in intensity during its second
year of aging. The result? A Bourbon County Stout unlike any before. In addition
to the familiar chocolate, caramel, and vanilla come flavors of toasted marshmallow
and a very pronounced fruit and oak finish. Bourbon County Double Barrel Toasted
Barrel Stout has a rich complexity and flavor only attainable through true craftsmanship,
partnership, expert blending, and, of course, patience. This is only the second 
time we have packaged a “Double Barrel” Bourbon County Stout —and trust us, you’ll
want to get your hands on this special limited-edition gem.

**Bourbon County Reserve Blanton’s Stout (15.4%)**

[[

We partnered with our friends at Blanton’s and aged our Imperial Stout for 18 months
in barrels from one of the world’s most sought-after bourbons—Blanton’s Original
Single Barrel Bourbon. Taken from the center-cut or middle sections of the famous
Warehouse H, Blanton’s Original Single Barrel was once only available for ambassadors,
dignitaries, and friends of the Blanton family, but now is available for everyone
to enjoy. Just as we set the standard for barrel-aged stouts, Blanton’s set the 
standard for single barrel bourbons. Through our partnership, we created a truly
unique reserve filled with rich dark chocolate and oak notes, finished with warm
aromatics of baking spices such as clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon.

**Bourbon County Classic Cola Stout (14.1%)**

[[

Pushing the boundaries of barrel-aged stouts is in our DNA, and with that, we brought
to life our first-ever cola-inspired variant. Brewers Paul Cade and Jason Krasowski
bonded over their love for classic cola while creating the Classic Cola Stout. Combining
the refreshing nature of classic cola and picking up the flavor profile from a whisky
cola, we added lime and orange juice and zest, plus coriander, cassia bark, nutmeg,
brown sugar, and vanilla to bring out the complex characters of the classic drink.
This is the ultimate twist on a whiskey cola and a must-try for Bourbon County Stout,
cola, or whiskey/cola lovers.

**Bourbon County Fourteen Stout (TBD)**

[[

For the first time ever, we’re digging into the Proprietor’s (Chicago-only release)
vault and bringing back a fan favorite with Bourbon County Fourteen Stout. But this
time, it’s with a twist. We’re paying homage to the popular Proprietor’s 2014 recipe,
but upping the rye ante by adding rye to the mash bill. Layering cassia bark, cocoa
nibs, panela sugar, and coconut water, this stout has an intricate, sweet and spicy
flavor profile that will have fans going back sip after sip.

**Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout (TBD)**

[[

For the second year in a row, Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout is inspired by a
classic frozen treat and brewed again by the mastermind, Emily Kosmal. A flavor 
house specialist, Emily has the knowledge and skill to bring her dessert treats 
to life. Proprietor’s Bourbon County Stout is aged in bourbon barrels and blended
with luscious strawberries, vanilla, and coconut, reminiscent of a classic strawberry
ice cream bar. These elements come together to create the indelible flavors of decadent
shortcake, layered with vanilla and topped off with the slight fruitiness of strawberries,
similar to the ice cream bar’s strawberry core. Emily—who also created the concept
for 2016 Proprietor’s and 2020 Proprietor’s—is our first brewer to have three Proprietor’s
concepts picked for release.

For more information, check out their [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/GooseIsland)
page.

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