Burnt Hickory Killdozer

Burnt Hickory Killdozer is an American Barleywine aged in bourbon barrels, 13.5% ABV. This review is for the 2015 vintage. Apparently the distributor didn’t deem Savannah worthy of bottles of this, but thankfully my wife grabbed this on a visit to Atlanta.

A typical Barleywine in appearance, it has a slightly cloudy caramel amber color with some plum red hues; nice little off white head on top. The aroma of this is absolutely fantastic! Sweet caramel, bourbon barrel, sweet vanilla and some strong notes of pineapple. Oh man this is an outstanding beer. The barrel aging has kind of pre-mellowed some of the intensity of the style. The taste starts with a big rush of sweet caramel and brown sugar, perfectly sweet without pushing the line of being cloying. Big fresh bourbon makes itself known after that, before some fresh hops with just enough oomph to create some balance in this huge beer. The hops add more than your typical spicy/earthy notes common in the style, I’m enjoying some bright citrus, sweet pineapple, and some subtle pine in the finish and aftertaste.

So good… mmm… just so good.