Judge's Review: 95 Rating - Highland Charge Bourbon Barrel Aged Wee Heavy Scottish Ale by Heathen Brewing

Highland Charge Bourbon Barrel Aged Wee Heavy Scottish Ale by Heathen Brewing is being judged as a #17C of the Wee Heavy BJCP category, though it has spent time in a bourbon barrel. 

The pour of this beer revealed a dark brown hue with light carbonation. The bubbles were small and tight. The aroma revealed a plethora of wonderful scents, such as bourbon, oak, chocolate, dried fruit (raisins and plums) along with a nice malt sweetness. I didn't get any hops, but that is okay for this style.

The first sip had the same wonderful flavors that were found in the aroma. The malt and the hops balanced very nicely with this beer. I had malt sweetness along with a moderate hop bittering. The flavors that I tasted had roasted malts (chocolate), dried fruit (raisins and plums), the bourbon (imparted by the oak barrel) and oak. Yes, I could actually taste bourbon in this beer! The choice of aging this in bourbon barrel had a major impact on this beer. It made it more complex and more well-rounded in aroma, flavors and overall taste.

The mouthfeel and body of this beer was medium, but the carbonation level was a bit more moderate. The beer finished very smooth, complex with a touch of sweetness in the finish along with the alcohol warmth (11%).

Wonderfully made and thoroughly enjoyed !