Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Cask Finish Stout 500ML

Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Cask Finish Stout 500ML is a double-barrel aged American imperial stout bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a 500ml format. As the first-ever cask finish extension of the legendary Bourbon County Brand Stout program, this release introduced a secondary barrel maturation step that deepens an already formidable beer — the Bardstown Cask Finish variant earned a 97 score on BeerAdvocate.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: American Imperial Stout, Double-Barrel Aged  |  Brewery: Goose Island Beer Company

Production & Heritage

Goose Island Beer Company traces its roots to a Lincoln Park brewpub that opened in 1988, making it the oldest currently operating brewing company in Illinois. The Bourbon County Brand Stout program, launched in the mid-1990s, pioneered the modern barrel-aged stout movement. The Cask Finish series expands on that legacy through a distinctive two-stage barrel aging process: the imperial stout first rests in freshly emptied bourbon or rye whiskey barrels, then transfers to a second set of finishing casks — such as Ruby Port wine barrels or hybrid oak and cherry wood barrels — where it matures further. This secondary aging introduces layers of complexity that a single barrel pass cannot achieve.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark toasted malt and baker's chocolate dominate the nose, followed by molasses, rye whiskey warmth, and a subtle undertone of oaky vanilla. The secondary cask influence contributes gentle fruity or herbal notes depending on the finishing barrel used.

Taste: The entry is thick and rich with dark roasted malt and bitter chocolate. Mid-palate, flavors of bourbon-soaked oak, cherry, and rye spice emerge, layered over a molasses-like sweetness. A faint cola-like character and a whisper of soy-sauce umami add savory depth as the beer opens up at warmer temperatures.

Finish: Smooth and expansive, with lingering notes of toasted oak, dark fruit, and residual whiskey barrel warmth. The finish is long and drying, with chocolate and herbal nuances that persist well after each sip.

How to Drink Bourbon County Cask Finish

Serve at cellar temperature — around 50–55°F — in a tulip glass or snifter to concentrate the complex aromatics. This beer rewards patience; allow it to warm slightly in the glass as additional flavors emerge over time. Given its barrel-aged intensity, Bourbon County Cask Finish is best appreciated on its own as a sipper rather than in cocktail applications.

Best For

• Annual Bourbon County Brand Stout release day celebrations
• Gifting a serious craft beer collector or barrel-aged stout enthusiast
• Vertical tastings alongside standard Bourbon County Brand Stout and other variants
• Pairing with a structured dessert course at an intimate dinner

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bourbon County Cask Finish taste like? It delivers a dense, layered profile of dark chocolate, bourbon-soaked oak, cherry, molasses, and rye spice, with savory and herbal undertones introduced by the secondary barrel finish.

How does Bourbon County Cask Finish compare to standard Bourbon County Brand Stout? The standard Bourbon County Brand Stout (rated 4.4 on Untappd with over 222,000 reviews) is aged in a single set of bourbon barrels, producing a rich but more straightforward chocolate-and-bourbon profile. The Cask Finish variant adds a second maturation in a different barrel type — such as port wine or hybrid cherry wood casks — introducing additional fruit, herbal, or spice layers not found in the original.

Is Bourbon County Cask Finish good for sipping neat? Absolutely — it is designed to be savored slowly at cellar temperature, and its complexity unfolds as the beer warms in the glass over a 30- to 60-minute session.

Where is Bourbon County Cask Finish made? It is brewed by Goose Island Beer Company in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest currently operating brewery in the state, originally founded as a brewpub in 1988.

What foods pair well with Bourbon County Cask Finish? Dark chocolate truffles complement the roasted malt backbone. Blue cheese provides a salty counterpoint to the beer's sweetness. Smoked brisket echoes the barrel char. Bread pudding with caramel sauce mirrors the molasses notes. Aged cheddar stands up to the beer's intensity without being overwhelmed.

What sizes does Bourbon County Cask Finish come in? The standard release format is a 500ml (16.9 oz) bottle, consistent with the broader Bourbon County Brand Stout lineup.

Is Bourbon County Cask Finish worth the price? It positions as a premium, limited-release craft beer within the ultra-premium barrel-aged stout category, and the double-barrel aging process and annual scarcity justify its pricing for collectors and enthusiasts who value complexity beyond the standard release.

Why Bourbon County Cask Finish?

The double-barrel aging technique is what separates this beer from the vast majority of barrel-aged stouts on the market, including Goose Island's own flagship Bourbon County Brand Stout. By resting the imperial stout in two distinct barrel environments — first bourbon or rye, then a finishing cask selected for a specific flavor contribution — the brewers achieve a layered depth that single-barrel aging cannot replicate. The Bardstown Cask Finish variant's 97-point BeerAdvocate score signals critical recognition at the highest level of the style. For anyone who has enjoyed the original Bourbon County Brand Stout and wants to explore what further barrel maturation can do, the Cask Finish release is a compelling next step.