Firestone Walker 'Parabola 2016' Imperial Stout

Firestone Walker Parabola 201 Imperial Stout 1
Firestone Walker 'Parabola' 2016 Vintage. Bourbon Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Oatmeal Stout. 13.1% abv. 79 IBU. Dark brown, nearly black. Two fingers of dense beige head that slowly recedes to a thick reliable collar. Superb retention, outstanding lace. Nose of bourbon, caramel, brown sugar, oak expression. 

Front taste of sweet dark fruit, vanilla, bittersweet dark chocolate, molasses, heavy roasted malt, mellow oak, bourbon back end. Aftertaste is dark berry, raisin, notes of charred wood, bourbon ribbon throughout. Full body. Mouthfeel is hot, thick, creamy, silky, carby, astringent sustain.

This is a world-class beer, a shining example of barrel aging. The profile is full of aromas and flavors, including dense dark fruit, rich caramel malt, tons of bourbon, with a wood/oak expression that starts mild and steps forward in the aftertaste, with a charred nearly smoky taste. The 2015 vintage was phenomenal, and this year's vintage follows tradition with a equally royal taste. One of the best. Strongly recommended.

From the brewery:

"Parabola is a beer of darkness and immensity, a barrel-­aged beast that is routinely ranked as one of the top beers in the world. This Russian imperial oatmeal stout is aged for a full year in a blend of bourbon barrels from Elijah Craig, Four Roses, Pappy Van Winkle, Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace, developing flavors of rich, chewy roasted malts, charred oak and bourbony vanilla. Parabola bares its teeth with its impenetrable black hue and soaring alcohol, yet its bite remains refined with a silky, balanced fiwish."

[source: firestonebeer.com]



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