How often do you get to taste a Kentucky Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout that’s been cellared for nearly three years, reaching inconceivable levels of smoothness?

And even if you’ve been so lucky, how often is that beer rated among the Top 60 in the World of its style on BeerAdvocate?

Not often, even for devoted Dark Beer lovers like us. Today’s Xocoveza Charred 2016 Vintage marks a special occasion by hitting every one of those nails on the head. Stone’s original Xocoveza is rated 4.34 on BeerAdvocate which is why we’re even more stoked to snag this version. It’s been getting smoother by the day— for over 1,000 days!

This 9.6 ABV vintage exudes layers of vanilla, caramel, toffee, and charred oak. Pasilla peppers add a mild spice to the bourbon-spiked cocoa and cinnamon-raisin bread flavors.  A blend of holiday spices float atop Chocolate and roasty Coffee Malts. Vanilla and lactose keep the mouthfeel silky, made all the more rich after six months in the depths of a bourbon barrel.

It’s fitting that this beer is released at a time of celebration, reflection, and gift-giving. It’s like Stone read our Letter to Santa and delivered us all a present we won’t forget: the caramel-coffee-chocolate Xocoveza Charred Imperial Stout.

Rated 4.26 on Untappd

Packaged On November 16th, 2016