Bluegrass Brewing Company ages this stout for 60 days in barrels that once held Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon. I unexpectedly lucked into this brew through a friend after a stressful committee meeting. I was extremely grateful — not just to have a good beer when I needed it, but have I mentioned that it’s aged in bourbon barrels? You find great beers sometimes in the most unlikely places. The beer poured dark chocolaty brown, looking almost black in the mug. The bubbly head had creamy foam that formed quickly but receded easily. Lacing was a thin bubbly collar which, when swirled, disappeared into the beer. I expected the Bourbon Barrel Stout to taste strongly of Jefferson’s Reserve, but it did not — and I was quite pleased with that. Bourbon Barrel Stout has a pleasant aroma, distinct but not overwhelming. It’s a sweet smell, with milk chocolate, cherry vanilla and oak. I poured the beer at a temperature of about 47 degrees, and it took a few swirls in the mug to give the scent its wings. On the tongue, the stout presents more like a robust porter than I would have guessed. Roasted malt came across smoky, with hints of charcoal at mid-palate. The oak and chocolate malt combine with hints of bourbon to create sweetness with suggestions of molasses. The vanilla-fig taste of the bourbon flits about in the aftertaste before giving way to a delicate, sweet, roasted malt finish. Bourbon Barrel Stout feels very light in the mouth, and there’s almost no indication of the strong alcohol content. This beer has an 8 percent ABV, but nothing comes across as bold — it’s an easygoing, pleasant, slightly sweet stout. If you like porters or smoky brown ales, this is the stout for you.