Its my 33rd birthday today so I've decided to crack open something that I've been sitting on for a little while. Everything about this beer is appealing to me, the strength, the style, the rye and of course the whiskey barrel aging. When its your birthday don't be shy about cracking open one of those beers that you're saving for the right occasion!  

From the  bottle:

"Imperial Rye Porter aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels. Statement of Composition: 40% Malt Beverage aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels. 60% Malt Beverage. The Dirty Old Man on the label is saying, "Gimme a sponge bath."

Here we go...

Pour - almost jet black in appearance but when the light hits it there is some nice auburn hues. The thin white head goes quickly and leaves a halo of off-white film around the liquid level. 

Aroma - lots of chocolate and fudge up front with vanilla and bourbon in the back.  The chocolate aroma is quite formidable which was a bit of surprise really. This does however smell incredible with some nice alcoholic heat tickling the nose. 

Taste - oh man is that good. Big chocolate malt sweetness on the tongue is followed by some slightly acidic bourbon flavors, vanilla extract and cocoa powder. The finish is very much like red wine, its dry and vinous. There is some nice spiciness to this as well that comes out more as it warms. Absolutely delicious beer with multiple layers of awesomeness. 

Overall - this really impressed me. So much flavor and velvety smooth on the tongue. The bourbon barrel aging was just right for the style, not too overpowering and it let the sweet maltiness of this porter shine as well as the subtle rye spice. Outstanding work from the folks at Tyranena. What I wouldn't do to try their most recent offering from their "Brewers Gone Wild" line which is a "Chipotle Smoked Imperial Porter". Wow!

Would I buy more of it? - again, I wish I could. I'd love to have a few more bottles of this in the cellar. 

Note - Tyranena's "Brewers Gone Wild" line is "a series of big, bold, ballsy beers". So far the lineup has included:

• Who's Your Daddy? Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter
• Bitter Woman from Hell Extra India Pale Ale
• Spank Me Baby! Barley Wine-Style Ale
• The Devil Made Me Do It! Imperial Oatmeal Coffee Porter
• High Class Broad Imperial Brown Ale Aged in Brandy Barrels
• Stickin' It To The Man Extra India Pale Ale
• Dirty Old Man Imperial Rye Porter Aged in Rye Barrels
• Devil Over A Barrel Imperial Oatmeal Coffee Porter Aged in Bourbon Barrels
• Scurvy IPA brewed with Orange Peel 
• Paradise by the Dash Board Lights Doubly Blessed Cherry Porter
• Bitter Woman In The Rye... an India Pale Ale brewed with rye malt
• Hop Whore Imperial India Pale Ale