Full Review

Toppling Goliath

Toppling Goliath
2023 Assassin Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Category: Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15.9%
96 Points
Platinum Medal
Superlative
Cellar Selection

Toppling Goliath
2023 Assassin Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Category: Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 15.9%
Dark brown color. Aromas and flavors of cherry chocolate nougat, old rickhouse, cinnamon vanilla pralines, and date syrup and a splash of dark cocoa in medium roast coffee with a round, crisp, petillant, off-dry full body and a warming, complex, very long finish imparting notes of cherry tootsie pop, cherry german chocolate cake, dark bordering on bitter chocolate brownie batter, and cinnamon and nutmeg. A spectacular barrel-aged Stout; delicious and luscious from end to end with a finish and retronasal for days.

Tasting Info

Beer Glass Style: Sweet & Fruity, Rich & Heavy & Malty
Aroma Aroma: cherry chocolate nougat, old rickhouse, cinnamon vanilla pralines, and date syrup and a splash of dark cocoa in medium roast coffee
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with notes of cherry tootsie pop, cherry german chocolate cake, dark bordering on bitter chocolate brownie batter, and cinnamon and nutmeg
Bitterness Bitterness: Medium/High
Enjoy Enjoy: on its own
Recipes Pairing: BBQ Chicken, Ribs, Steak & Potatoes
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A spectacular barrel-aged Stout; delicious and luscious from end to end with a finish and retronasal for days.

The Producer

Toppling Goliath Brewing Company

The Producer

Barrel Aged Imperial Stout

The category of barrel-aged beer represents a diverse range of ale and lager styles that have been aged in non-neutral wood. These beers commonly range between 7.5-10% in alcohol with further variations depending on the interpretation of the style. These beers are characterized by both wood-influenced flavors (vanillia, caramel, toast, coconut) and secondary flavors of the alcohol previously aged in the wood (bourbon, scotch whisky, sherry). The overall character of the final beer may also included acetic, lactic or Brettanomyces flavors and aromas resultant of the barrel.

A wide variety of base beer styles may be barrel-aged for an additional level of complexity, although barrel-aged versions of darker or more alcoholic styles are among the more common examples. Noteworthy examples of this style include: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, Alltech Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and Grand Rapids The Mound Maker.