The first in what will hopefully be a lengthy series of barrel-aged imperial stouts, Oskar Blues’ BA20 Vol. 1: All Monde is exceptional. Aged in bourbon barrels with toasted almonds and Madagascar vanilla beans, the pitch black stout with an espresso-tinged head is like a glass of rocky road ice cream with a boozy finish. The mouth is big, and the back kicks with whiskey. Vanilla balances out the heat, and sweet and creamy malt builds a body worthy of these flavors.
