Beer Review: Barrel Aged Sexual Chocolate (2010)

Reviewing the Barrel Aged Sexual Chocolate from Foothills Brewing Company.
Score: 96

2010 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 03/04/12.

Appearance: Pours a black coffee color. Totally opaque save for a thin layer of brown caramel highlight atop the glass. One finger of creamy, chocolate colored head at pour settles into a thin layer around the glass and patch of foggy head in the middle of the glass. Average head, below average retention. 4/5

Smell: Dark chocolate, fudge, vanilla, caramel malt, oak, bourbon and molasses/brown sugar. Sweet waffle syrup and dried fig too. 4.5/5

Taste: Dark chocolate, cocoa, fudge, sweet vanilla and bourbon upfront and on the midpalate. Super rich, syrupy flavors throughout. Chewy raisin, toffee and sticky molasses towards the finish. There is a sweet maple syrup backbone. Super balanced and flavorful, with the perfect level of sweetness for a bourbon barrel aged imperial stout. A little charred chocolate and leathery oak as the beer layers. Just a hint of booze. Dare I say there is a hint of coconut? Super chocolatey with a strong bourbon-y vanilla twist. The barrel characteristics here are near perfect. Super drinkable, but this one should be sipped and savored. 5/5

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, minimal carbonation. Syrupy mouthfeel. Dry, sweet and sticky finish. 4/5

Overall: I need to get another bottle of this beer. Absolutely divine. I wonder what the 2011 vintage, aged in Pappy Van Winkle barrels, tastes like...

Recommendation: Seek this beer out.

Pairings: Chocolate chip pancakes.

Cost: $15 for a 22 oz beer.