Rating: 5.5/5* Last Review of 2013

Dark Seas Bourbon Barrel Aged by Mission Brewing is 11.25% ABV Russian Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels.

Label:
This limited-edition version of our Russian Imperial Stout has been aged for 20 months in Four Roses whiskey barrels. It features Dark Seas’ obsidian, viscous and astoundingly roasty smooth-drinking charms, all taken to new eights from the aging process. Aromas of milk chocolate and bourbon give way to luscious notes of malted milk balls, cocoa, oak and whiskey. An especially spirited version of Dark Seas with softer edges, vanilla hints and barrel-aged complexity.
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Picked this one up at Ramirez Liquor and is also being sold at Uncle Henry’s in Downey California. This beer will see many of the Mission distribution networks so it should be available in many places. I have tried the original back in 2012 but back then, I really did not have a system of ranking. I am sure I would have gave that one a 5 as I really liked that one. Now with the release of this one, I could think of no better way to ring in the new year with a treat like this one.

Aromas:
Milk and dark chocolate, Bourbon, vanilla, oak, flan, dulce de leche caramel, currants, port wine, dark fruits like cherries, earthy but mild hops, brown sugar, marshmallow smores and raisins. 

Flavors:
Bourbon, whiskey, vanilla, oak, marshmallows, toasted coconut, milk and dark chocolate, cocoa nibs, rocky road ice cream notes, smores, plums, brown sugar, molasses, Kahlua, mocha, dark fruits, chocolate cake, bakers chocolate and brownies. 

Aftertaste:
Finishing with notes of the dark chocolate, mild cherry, raisins, caramel, earthy hop notes and currants. The bourbon does not linger. Very smooth-drinking, very creamy, no alcohol in the taste and dangerously delicious.

Overall:
Very delicious beer exceeding the expectations of the original by a great amount. The best part is that it is VERY SMOOTH as hell. No lingering alcohol and very pleasant with nothing over powering and there seems to be enough sweet and bitter balance with everything just smooth sailing.. The Calm before the Storm per say. Makes me wonder if I am still drinking an 11.25% ABV beer, WOW. People that love this one or love Barrel-aged beers will definitely love this one even more.

Anime Corner:
Franco il Nero (Cyan hair), Donne Annonime (Blonde hair), Lily Salvatana (w/ glasses and captain hat) from Outlaw Django Tre Donne Crudeli were chosen for this pairing as a way to salute the end of the year as Franco is saluting in the picture like if she was playing the role of a captain but also because I chose Franco and Donne in the original review. I chose them because pirates relate to the label and the dark seas beer. Pirates carry guns and these two were on the shore of the beach as if they were stranded off at sea. That was my reasoning from it. Now as for the Dark sea aspect, I show you the last pairing which is the one with the girl at sea with the ships coasting the dark seas. Awesome stuff.

2012 Review of the NON Barrel-aged version: 
https://brewerianimelogs.wordpress.com/2012/10/20/dark-seas-russian-imperial-stout-by-mission/