Whistle Buoy Brewing Co: Desolate Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout

Whistle Buoy Brewing in Victoria’s Market Square released Desolate in mid-November, a bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stout. According to the label and website, it is the “first-ever release of our barrel program and is extremely limited”. My bottle was number 177 of 800. It’s encouraging to see that even such a small-scale brewery as Whistle Buoy can still find the money, time, and motivation to get their hands on some bourbon barrels and brew a huge stout to fill them with.

Desolate pours black with a medium-sized, tan coloured head that lingers. The aroma is raisin, rum, and dark chocolate with hints of charred oak and molasses. It is full-bodied with a viscous creamy texture. The flavour is definitely bourbon barrel forward but without withering tannins. There is a moderate alcohol note throughout with bourbon, cherry, creamy coffee, and milk chocolate notes. There is also a perceived vanilla sweetness but dryer than you would think. The finish is endless belly-warming bourbon.

Available at the brewery or in their online shop until they are gone!