Goose Island Bourbon County Double Barrel Brand Stout 16.9OZ

Goose Island Bourbon County Double Barrel Brand Stout 16.9OZ is a 17.4% ABV imperial stout double barrel-aged in Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond bourbon barrels, sold in a 16.9 oz (500 ml) bottle. Scoring a 97 on BeerAdvocate, this release stands as one of the highest-rated variants in the storied Bourbon County lineup, distinguished by a second pass through freshly emptied bourbon barrels that deepens every dimension of the base beer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 17.4%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Co.

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago, Illinois, originally introduced Bourbon County Brand Stout in 1992, establishing the template for American barrel-aged imperial stouts. The Double Barrel expression takes that foundation a step further through a collaboration with Heaven Hill Distillery: the imperial stout — brewed with a grain bill of 2-row, black malt, caramel malt, chocolate malt, Munich 10, and roasted barley — is aged in one set of freshly emptied Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond bourbon barrels, then transferred into a second set of fresh Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond barrels. This dual-aging process extracts substantially more bourbon character, oak tannin, and vanilla than the standard single-barrel treatment, pushing the ABV to a formidable 17.4%.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: A rich, dark nose opens with semi-sweet chocolate and warm vanilla before revealing layers of toasted marshmallow and a subtle hint of tobacco. A gentle booziness and an elusive spice quality round out the aromatics.

Taste: The entry is dense with dark baker's chocolate and mellow bourbon, giving way at mid-palate to sweet vanilla, brûlée, and dark coffee. As the sip builds, compounding layers of cherry, dark raisin bread, cinnamon, star anise, and moderate char emerge alongside a sarsaparilla-like complexity that keeps the sweetness in check.

Finish: Long and warming, with pronounced oak and lingering vanilla weaving through residual chocolate and earthy spice. The barrel influence persists well after the last sip, leaving a gentle char and bourbon warmth on the palate.

How to Drink Double Barrel Bourbon County

Serve this stout at cellar temperature, around 50–55°F, in a snifter or tulip glass to concentrate the complex aromatics. Given its 17.4% ABV and layered barrel character, it is best enjoyed on its own as a sipper. If you choose to mix, consider a Stout Float using a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the beer's natural vanilla and chocolate tones; a Black Manhattan, substituting a small pour for the sweet vermouth to add roasted depth; or an Espresso Stout Cocktail, shaking a measure with cold espresso and a touch of simple syrup for a decadent after-dinner drink.

Best For

• Cellaring for a special anniversary or milestone opening
• Sharing as a dessert course at an intimate dinner gathering
• Gifting a serious craft-beer collector seeking rare barrel-aged releases
• Side-by-side tasting alongside the standard Bourbon County Brand Stout

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Double Barrel Bourbon County taste like? It delivers dense dark chocolate and warm bourbon on the palate, layered with vanilla, toasted marshmallow, dark coffee, cherry, and earthy spices like cinnamon and star anise. The pronounced oak finish and residual brûlée sweetness set it apart from lighter barrel-aged stouts.

How does Double Barrel compare to the standard Bourbon County Brand Stout? The standard Bourbon County Brand Stout is aged in a single set of bourbon barrels, while Double Barrel undergoes a second full aging in fresh Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond barrels, resulting in a higher ABV (17.4% versus roughly 14–15%) and noticeably deeper oak, vanilla, and bourbon intensity. The added barrel time also amplifies the tannic structure and overall complexity.

Is Double Barrel Bourbon County good for sipping neat? Yes — its layered complexity and high ABV make it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping at cellar temperature. A tulip glass or snifter will help concentrate its rich chocolate and bourbon aromatics.

Where is Double Barrel Bourbon County made? It is brewed by Goose Island Beer Co. in Chicago, Illinois, and aged in freshly emptied Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond bourbon barrels sourced through a collaboration with Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Double Barrel Bourbon County? Flourless chocolate cake complements the beer's deep cocoa notes; smoked brisket echoes its char and barrel character; crème brûlée mirrors its vanilla and caramelized sugar layers; aged Gouda adds a nutty counterpoint to the malt sweetness; and pecan pie bridges the bourbon, toasted nut, and dark sugar flavors.

What sizes does Double Barrel Bourbon County come in? It is released in a 16.9 oz (500 ml) bottle, the standard format for Bourbon County specialty variants.

Is Double Barrel Bourbon County worth the price? Double Barrel positions as an ultra-premium limited release within the Bourbon County family, reflecting the added cost and time of a second full barrel aging in Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond cooperage. Its 97 score on BeerAdvocate and 4.5 out of 5 on Untappd suggest strong critical and community validation for the investment.

Why Double Barrel Bourbon County?

The defining move here — a complete second aging in fresh Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond bourbon barrels — is not merely a marketing flourish; it meaningfully transforms the liquid. That second barrel extraction amplifies the oak tannin, vanilla, and bourbon depth beyond what the already formidable standard Bourbon County achieves, pushing the ABV to 17.4% without sacrificing balance. A BeerAdvocate score of 97 places it among the highest-rated American stouts, and its limited annual release ensures genuine scarcity rather than manufactured hype. For collectors and barrel-aged stout enthusiasts, it represents one of the most intensely barrel-influenced beers produced in the United States.