Port Old Viscosity

Type: bourbon barrel aged dark strong ale
Origin: San Marcos, California
Price: $4.99 per 22 oz
ABV: 10%
NSP: 13
Website

I have been a bit MIA here the past few months, but I promise to give you a string of reviews coming up in the next few weeks.  Our friend Robert was looking for a review of this one and unfortunately we have never reviewed it.  I must admit, I've never even tried this beer, probably because bourbon barrel aging is not exactly my favorite thing.    After drinking half a glass of this stuff, I can only refer to it as "the phantom" because I don't taste the barrel aging (this starts to come out as it warms up, but isn't oppressive) and I don't sense the 10%.  At first this reminds me of a porter, but the more I drink it, the more it starts to merge into a doppelbock.  The sweetness here is key to covering up the strength and the bourbon undertones, which I must praise them for.  There is a bit of smoke on the nose, but it is barely existent when tasting.  Even though Port is not exactly my go to San Diego brewery, I should definitely make a concerted effort to add more to my repertoire.

Update:  As I inspected the bottle more, it is only Oak Barrel aged, not bourbon barrel aged.  Probably explains why there is smokiness but no strong bourbon notes