I just had the opportunity to taste a wonderful Imperial Stout from Prairie Artisan Ales, their Branson Jamboree,which is an Imperial Oatmeal aged in Tequila Barrels. I was admittedly unsure of the combination at first but they artfully pulled it off!!
A nice subtle blend of the imperial stout's rich, decadent chocolate and coffee flavors with the Tequila's agave flavor gives it a delicate balance. The nosed is heavy on the cedar like agave aroma with only subtle hints of the imperial stout. However on the palate the full flavor of the imperial stout explodes with only a slight hint of the tequila lingering. As you "chew" on it the tequila begins to expose itself a bit more and the vanilla and roasted coffee from the Oatmeal Stout begins to fade a bit. Truly a complex beer and at 8.4% not that high of an ABV.
More brewers will assuredly be experimenting with this new style of aging and I look forward to their future offerings.
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