Bourbon County Brand Stout 2018 - Goose Island

History & Production Context of the 2018 Vintage

4.5 / 5 on UNTAPPD

The Bourbon County Brand Stout (BCBS) is a legend among bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stouts. Originally created in 1992 to celebrate the 1000th brew of the Goose Island Clybourn brewpub, this beer laid the foundation for the modern “barrel-aged stout” phenomenon. Each year, Goose Island releases it on the famous Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), a moment feverishly awaited by beer geeks around the world.

The 2018 vintage stood out for its ambition: no fewer than eight different variants were released, a record at the time. In addition to the classic Original Bourbon County Stout, the 2018 lineup included:

• a Wheatwine (the first-ever wheat-based variant, replacing the usual Barleywine),

• a Vanilla edition reviving the 2010 recipe,

• a bold Midnight Orange brewed with orange peel and cocoa,

• the returning Bramble Rye with dark berries,

• a Coffee Barleywine brewed with Intelligentsia coffee beans,

• and the highly coveted Proprietor’s (Chicago-only) focused on chocolate.

Most notably, Goose Island offered a special “Reserve” edition aged in exceptional Elijah Craig 12-year-old bourbon barrels—the bourbon that had won “Whisky of the Year 2017.” This Reserve came in at a slightly higher ABV (~15.2%). It shared the same base recipe as the Original, but the Elijah Craig casks brought extra notes of toffee, dried fruit, and tannic oak.

From a brewing perspective, the 2018 BCBS stayed true to the series’ philosophy: a dense, massive Imperial Stout (very high OG) aged at least 12 months in bourbon barrels to develop the kind of complexity that only time imparts. Goose Island carefully selects freshly emptied bourbon casks from Kentucky distilleries. (For 2019, for instance, the blend included Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, and Wild Turkey barrels). Observers note that the 2018 vintage was likely aged mainly in Heaven Hill casks (for the base version), which may explain subtle profile differences compared to blended years.

The recipe calls for a rich mix of malts—2-Row pale, black malt, Caramel 40, chocolate malt, Munich 10, and roasted barley—to build its thick, opaque body. Hopping is light, with Millennium (about 60 IBU) used simply to balance the sweetness. The result in 2018 was described as “as dark and dense as a black hole, with a thick barrel-colored head.”

On the nose: intense charred oak, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, and a hint of smoke.
On the palate: one sip delivers “more flavor than an entire pack of regular beer,” according to Goose Island’s original description.

In short, the 2018 vintage stood firmly in line with the Bourbon County legacy while bringing a few noteworthy twists. Its very high alcohol content (~15% ABV) made it one of the strongest BCBS editions, promising both intensity and aging potential. And its expanded lineup of creative variants reflected the growing excitement around niche barrel-aged beers. Despite criticism of Goose Island’s “sell-out” after the AB InBev acquisition in 2011, BCBS 2018 managed to captivate purists and adventurous palates alike. Each numbered, limited bottle became an object of desire for collectors and aficionados, making the 2018 release a true craft beer event covered by the press and all over social media.

Expert Reviews of Bourbon County Stout 2018

BCBS 2018 was widely met with enthusiasm from critics, cementing its status as an exceptional stout. On BeerAdvocate, it earned a perfect 100/100 “World-Class” rating, with an average around 4.6/5 from thousands of reviews. Goose Island’s own brewmaster Jared Jankoski called it “fantastic once again” upon release.

Tasting notes from experts highlighted its outstanding aromatic complexity. One detailed BeerAdvocate review described:
“Whiskey aroma intertwined with roasted malts, caramel, vanilla, and dark fruit. Thick and velvety body, deep flavors of bourbon, roasted raisins, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of alcohol. Smooth finish (low bitterness) with warming alcohol… A dangerously easy-to-drink stout with great softness.”

That phrase “dangerously easy to drink” appears often: despite its strength and richness, BCBS 2018 was considered surprisingly accessible, with malt structure, residual sugars, and barrel integration masking much of the 15% alcohol.

Some experts also compared 2018 to prior vintages. Beer journalist Kate Bernot noted that it was the first BCBS vintage she recommended drinking fresh rather than cellaring. Normally she preferred to age them to soften the “hot” alcohol edge, but she found the 2018 edition harmonious right away, less aggressive than past releases.

Her notes: “Despite its 14.7% ABV, this vintage doesn’t feel as imposing as previous ones. The aroma is more restrained, with dusty cocoa, red grape, and a faint tomato-sweet umami note. On the palate: classic bittersweet chocolate softened by vanilla oak from the barrel, with hints of sweet raisin, blueberry, and background coffee.” While she noted a “mid-palate dip” compared to top years (lacking some of the caramel fudge “Tootsie Roll” character), she still concluded that 2018 was “a world-class stout, better than 90% of bourbon-barrel stouts on the market.”

Other reviewers echoed this “approachability” straight from release. Brew Report UK described it as “smooth, decadent, more like sweet sherry or soy sauce than beer, loaded with molasses and dark fruits.” Their verdict: “The 2018 BCS is a cracking beer… a solid 5/5… great to drink now.”

The Reserve Elijah Craig 2018 also impressed. The Alcohol Professor called it a thick, chewy stout coating the palate with intense chocolate, vanilla, subtle oak, and roasted coffee, finishing warm with a hint of licorice. Interestingly, the bourbon presence was less dominant than expected, letting the malt shine: “A great winter stout, all chocolate and roast, perfect when it’s freezing outside.” Their advice: drink fresh for maximal chocolate indulgence, or cellar to let bourbon and oak develop further. At release, the Reserve 2018 scored 99/100 on BeerAdvocate (average 4.54/5), highlighting near-universal acclaim.

In summary, experts agree the 2018 BCBS lineup delivered world-class performance, combining aromatic richness (chocolate, coffee, vanilla, dark fruits, bourbon) with balance, and proving delicious both young and with aging.

Visual: Bottle of Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout 2018 partially poured into a glass on its right.

Consumer Impressions & Beer Geek Buzz

Enthusiasm among craft beer drinkers matched the hype. On Untappd, BCBS 2018 averaged 4.5/5 from 30,000+ ratings, and 4.6/5 on BeerAdvocate, putting it at the top of popular rankings.

Consumer notes frequently emphasized the chocolate dominance, followed by dark fruit nuances like roasted raisins. Others highlighted its “pure bourbon character” in the mouth, with comments such as “Siempre es un placer… Bourbon en estado puro” (“Always a pleasure… bourbon in its purest form”).

Typical themes: chocolate–vanilla–bourbon trio, combined with dark fruits and wood. Drinkers often described it as “rich, thick, liqueur-like,” offering fudge, roasted caramel, and warming alcohol that “heats all the way down the throat” without harshness. Comments included: “Very rich, with a touch of chocolate and bourbon. Would buy again without hesitation.” and “No surprise. Delicious. Don’t miss this one.”

Hardcore fans also experimented with cellaring. One Untappd user compared two bottles of 2018—one stored chilled, the other at ambient cellar temperature. The refrigerated one seemed “smoother, more vanilla-forward and malty,” less sharp than the cellar-aged version, resulting in a more balanced experience. Such reviews illustrate the almost “grand cru” treatment beer geeks give BCBS, analyzing its evolution like fine wine.

Forum debates raged over whether 2018 surpassed 2017 or 2016, but the consensus is clear: BCBS 2018 won over a broad audience. Novices found it immensely flavorful, while experienced palates appreciated its countless layers. Many dubbed it an “instant classic” in the barrel-aged stout world.

The community buzz was huge: across the U.S. (and beyond), lines formed outside bottle shops from dawn on Black Friday to secure numbered bottles. Social media was flooded with BCBS photos, tasting notes, and toasts under #BCBS. Many opened 2018 bottles in shared tastings—both in person and online—turning its release into a real communal craft beer celebration.

Sources:

craftshack.com

handfamilycompanies.com

beeradvocate.com

brewreportuk.wordpress.com

untappd.com

thetakeout.com

alcoholprofessor.com