The meaning of the word expedition is: an excursion, journey, or voyage made for some specific purpose, as of war or exploration.

When I began my exploration of the craft beer world, I did so with a specific purpose, to be open to, and try, any and all styles, brands, and interpretations of beer.  As I ventured out, without a map or compass on this voyage, I found that my palette preferred some styles over others.  I also found that I was fond of certain breweries as well.  Some styles, I initially found immensely pleasing, such as the sour style; I eventual found I didn’t enjoy as much as I had in the initial stages of my journey.  Other styles, I found I grew more fond of, as in my taste for stouts, or ipas.  As I’ve enjoyed my way through a myriad of delectable craft beers, I’ve found myself yearning to retry some of my early year favorites.  In my rediscovery of old palette-pleasures, I’ve found some which rekindle my appreciation for the tried-and-true, and others, the taste of which I’ve wondered how I ever enjoyed them at all.

It is my wish, in this part of my journey, to go back to what I once regarded as the pinnacle of the Russian imperial stout style, and to see if it still holds up to my evolved palette.  My co-taster and I will evaluate this beer, and then try it’s barrel-aged counter part.  When I first tried this beer, I remember thinking how wonderful a barrel-aged version would taste, but at the time, such a variant was not available.  Now, fortunes have smiled, not only granting the brewers the sound decision-making to produce a barrel-aged version, but also to allow one to be available to me.

I present for your consideration, our review of Bell’s Expedition Stout, and Barrel-Aged Expedition Stout.

Bell’s Expedition Stout – This is thick motor oil in a glass, topped with a thin, mocha-colored head that leaves licorice tendrils on the sides of the glass when swirled.  The smell is dense with notes of rich, dark, roasted malts rounded out by subtle wisps of anise, tobacco, and molasses.  The mouthfeel is truly “chewy,” thick, and viscous.  The flavor profile is phenomenal.  It is full of roasted grain notes, with accents of dark chocolate, molasses, and dark breads, punctuated by an assertive bitterness that perfectly rounds out the experience.  This is everything I want from a Russian imperial stout, and therefore, I can confidently say that this holds up to the high standard of my memory, if it doesn’t eclipse it.  Terrific.  10/10

Co-taster: This delectable libation resembles the color of a strong, dark roast coffee brewed from fresh beans, already giving it an extra boost in rankings in my book. When put to the nose test, I note prominent toffee aromas, coupled with minute hints of cinnamon-sugar. The highlighting elements don’t stop there as they continue to shine during the tasting process. This is a rich, full-bodied stout that resembles my favorite cup of morning joe – black and strong. It’s followed through with a creamy and smooth mouthfeel. Needless to say, I’d eagerly replace my hot, morning-beverage choice with this caliber of a “cold-brew”. 9/10.

Bell’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Expedition Stout – The appearance, is, not surprisingly, identical to the base Expedition Stout.  The nose however, is considerably different.  The smell is predominantly malty, oaky, sweet, and bourbony, with undertones of roasted grains, tobacco, leather, and subtle traces of licorice.  The mouthfeel is ever so slightly thinner than the base, which is unsurprising, given that most barrel-aged beers, in my experience, are less thick and chewy than their base counter-parts.  The bourbon influence melds fluidly with the base, creating a fusion of sweet, malty heat and roasty, bready grains, with accents of molasses and syrup.  Sadly the bourbon does take away from the bitter punctuation that I enjoy so much from the base stout.  This is not to say the bourbon barrel-aged version is of poor quality.  Rather, the trade-off is, unfortunately, and shockingly, since I normally prefer barrel-aged versions of an excellent base stout, not a positive gain.  I’ll gladly drink the regular, and more readily available, Expedition Stout any day. 9/10

Co-taster: The appearance of the barrel-aged version of this stout closely resembles that of its base, which is expected,  but its similarities quickly vanish when comparing it with the qualities that appeal to other senses. The nose can be compared to the semi-sweet smell one experiences upon opening a piece of Dove’s dark chocolate, which makes it quite inviting. Upon tasting, there is a slight bitterness paired with allspice and an underlying taste of a roasted cacao bean. Compared to its base, non-barrel aged cousin, it lacks on the creamy-like feel yet is more smooth and all flavors remain consistent through the aftertaste. In comparisons such as these, there isn’t always a well-defined victory, but in this taste-test the winner clearly edges out its competitor…10/10.

It seems, in this comparison, that there is a split decision. I certainly invite and urge you to seek out and try these delicious beers on your own to decide if you feel the same.

In the expedition of life, our journeys are rarely the same, nor are our specific pursuits remotely identical.  It pleases me immensely though, that on my journey, I have found such a delightful beer to warm and excite my senses, and to make the expedition that much more enjoyable.

Onward.

Humbly yours,

J