It seems I'm gaining a reputation as "the stout finished guy", having picked two barrels for Mass Bourbon Alliance through New England Barrel Company, benchmarking against gold standards, and even getting sent homebrew passion projects these days. I have to say, I'm okay with that. I'm a longtime lover of stouts; I just don't have the stomach to drink them regularly anymore. The beer itself is lovely, but it's also heavy and filling. Which is part of the reason why I started drinking Irish whiskey a decade ago—to alleviate the bloated feeling beer gave me.
Enter stout finished bourbon. It's the best of both worlds. The rich, chocolatey, coffee-laden flavor profile of a stout with none of the sugary, beer-bellied aftereffects. Belle Meade Black Belle was actually the pour that turned me onto the category, and the rest was history as I fell down the rabbit hole of deliciousness. I have to thank my Spirit Animal Society founders for the introduction. The new brand of Belle Meade wasn't readily available in my area, so it was through communal sharing that I really got my start in this industry. Since then, I've offered the world thousands of whiskey reviews and have calibrated my palate against the best of the best. It's for this reason brands choose to partner with AmongstTheWhiskey.com, the best independent whiskey review site on the internet. You're going to get honest feedback from me. As such, I was thrilled when Nelson's Green Briar offered to send along an advanced bottle of their yearly passion project with Blackstone Brewing Company. They describe this annual partnership on their website, saying:
The much-anticipated annual release of the Nelson Brothers Black Brier is here. This unique expression starts with well-aged Nelson Brothers Whiskey that is then finished in casks previously used to age Imperial Stout ale at Blackstone Brewing Company.
The result is a harmonious fusion of flavors, with notes of brown sugar, cacao nibs, and rolled oats on the nose. The palate offers up toffee, pecan, and dark cherry, leading to a finish of black tea, baking spices, and vanilla. Bottled at 106 proof, the Nelson Brothers Black Brier is a true delight for whiskey enthusiasts.
This distillery exclusive will be available at Nelson's Green Brier Distillery starting November 29th, just in time for the holiday season. Priced at $94.99, it's sure to make an impressive gift for the whiskey lover in your life.
Wondering what to expect on release day? I've got a review for you! In accordance with my editorial policy, I've tasted this whiskey three times and will be describing what I find in a well-rested glencairn on a sober palate. Let's get into it, shall we?
Company on Label: Nelson's Green Brier Distillery, Nashville, TN
Whiskey Type: Finished straight bourbon whiskey
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed bourbon mash bill (minimum 51% corn)
Proof: 106°
Age: NAS
Further identification: The 2024 bottling of this annual distillery-only release is available November 29th at an MSRP of $94.99; I am reviewing bottle number 1122, suggesting a fairly large batch size will be available on Black Friday
Nose: The nose leads with lovely vanilla bean, chocolate ganache, and smoky plum old-fashioned vibes. There are distinct chocolatey tones you would expect out of a stout influence and a lovely underlying sweetness to it as well. A dusting of nutmeg can be found on long inhales between the ever-present sweetness of a Bûche de Noël. Aromas of powdered sugar, heavy whipping cream, semisweet chocolate chips, and chocolate devil's food cake all swirl in the glass beautifully. Graham cracker and crêpes loaded with whipped cream provide a lovely profile to fall back on. Overall, this feels like an old bourbon with great wood influence being ever-present that never turns too dry. Late in the glass, more savory tones creep in, like shishito peppers, walnut bitters, sweet potato, and bacon chocolate toffee. I'm in love.
Palate: On first taste, I find rich black forest cake, after-dinner coffee, and white linens. The glass feels like a masterclass in contrasting flavors that jive: white pepper one moment, dark chocolate the next, mascarpone cheese plops on the tongue, then suddenly black truffle. It has a heavy mouthfeel, a strong, chocolate ice cream style mouthcoating, and a distinctly exquisite whiskey-to-stout influence balance. The cherry tones of the bourbon are really fun to find. Late in the glass, some subtle spice squeaks forward; think allspice and pepper, but it's quite subtle. There's almost a texture to the liquid, like it's formed with some kind of cakey consistency, which is really cool. It leans away from the bitter tones I sometimes find in double barrel projects, which I love for this release. The key point for me? The effervescent linger. This reminds me exactly of the magic of the Black Belle release that originally made me fall for this brand. The chocolate tones are plentiful, rich, velvety, and not too sweet. This is stout finishing done right. The glass finishes consistent with the rest of the pour yet highlights a subtle evolution, a breathing, if you will. This feels alive with the thrill of something new, something exciting. Raspberry tart and chocolate ganache linger long into the dark night.
TL;DR: Incredible flavor, balance, and differentiated nuance; this is a stout lover's dream
Rating: 4.5/5
This is exactly what I look for in stout finished bourbon. These barrels can be quite fickle and finicky to work with, which is probably why you don't see more brands experimenting in the space, but the Nelson's Green Brier team knocked it out of the park with this one. This is the closest I've tasted to the legendary Black Belle, which you can view a comparative tasting below. Kudos to the team, and good luck to everyone visiting the distillery for the Black Friday release day!
Just found one! Excited to try it. Wouldn’t have known without your review.