Here we have 5-year old Imperial Stout. BEER: In Absentia Luci (Rye and Bourbon Barrels) (2016) BREWERY: Other Half Brewing Co. BEER STYLE: Imperial Stout (Rye + Bourbon BA) COUNTRY: ALCOHOL (ABV): 11.0% COLOUR (EBC): Coffee Black (87.0) BITTERS (EBU/IBU): - SCENT: Lots of bourbon characteristics. Leafs, earthiness, caramel, malts, liquorice. FOAM: One finger tall, dark brown. Fades fast, settles as a veil over the beer. GREY’S VIEW Imperial Stout aged 50/50 in Rye Whiskey and Bourbon Barrels. First bite is slowly and softly building one. I waited minutes for the flavours to descent after the first sip, so it’s in place to say that this has some complexity in it. It’s not as sophisticated as the 2014 Red Wine Barrel version, but this has some of its own to show. I taste soft buttery rye, liquorice mixed in sugars, wetty Bourbon and notes of dried molasses and ever so slight hints of cocoa are there too. Every corner of this beer has been rounded by the time and I think it’s a good thing; flavours are still quite brawny at this day. Rye is strong in this one. Mouthfeel is calm and experienced. Some soft carbonation with slowly slithering, semi thick body makes this slow to enjoy. It also has some feisty warlike potion spirit in it. Aftertaste has ryebreadiness, some faint minerals and drying oak with slowly building chocolate ganache to it. OTHER NOTES: In Absentia Luci = In The Absence Of Light Dark and slow to enjoy. Strong willed and perfect winter warmer. BOTTLED 2016 TASTED 2021