Backpocket Old Bufflehead Barley Wine

This is an 8.5% ABV barleywine aged for a year in Cedar Ridge Bourbon barrels. It comes from the Backpocket Brewing Company of Coralville, Iowa.  This "Corridor Collaboration" is part of their Lab Series, where they get a little more adventurous and try out some new styles. 

The beer pours a dark brown with ruby tints. There is a short and thin head of tan foam. The aroma is caramel, toffee, with notes of brown sugar and whiskey. The taste follows the aromas, sweet, but also roasted, very rich, with a dry finish. There is an astringency from barrel wood in the finish. There are also notes of cherry and light vanilla, along with oak. The beer drinks very smooth and round. The beer warms the throat more than would be expected from 8.5%. This is a nice tasting sipper!