Boulevard Grand Cru - Barrel-Aged Ale

It's been quite a while since Ill-Gotten Booty has graced this blog with a new beer review. It's not that he hasn't been trying new and exciting beers, it's just that it's not always convenient to write a review while sitting in a restaurant or a bar, where I have tried new craft beers in the last six months. I'm going to lift the embargo by reviewing Boulevard's Grand Cru Barrel-Aged Ale.

Grand Cru is a a 60-40% blending of

1. Whiskey barrel double mashed imperial stout, aged for 18 months, this component has an ABV of 15.6% and 50 IBU's. 
2. Bourbon Barrel Quad - loosely based on Sixth Glass, part of the Smokestack Series - an abbey style quadrupel with cherries added to make up for the 'angel's share' - the portion lost by absorption by the barrel. This component is 11.2% ABV and 26 IBU's. 

The combined blend is 13.7% ABV and 27 IBU's.

Grand Cru is a deep mahogany,  with a thick, rich tan head. The aroma of vanilla, whiskey and oak immediately tickles the nose, along with some vanilla as it heats up. There's a subtle alcohol-whiskey heat, and a smooth velvety chocolate-coffee aftertaste.

Quite the sippin' brew.