Leelanau Illuminati Stout

This Holiday Season sees the release of the latest from Leelanau Brewing Company: Illuminati Stout. Brewed and blended in collaboration with Leelanau Brewing by Ron Jeffries of Jolly Pumpkin. This is Leelanau’s darkest grain bill yet, open fermented with naturally occurring wild yeasts and aged for one to three years in thirteen Bourbon barrels representing nine of the great Kentucky Bourbon houses. All the barrels were obsessively selected and collected by Leelanau Brewing for their origin, quality and for being freshly drained of their Bourbon before being filled with Illuminati Stout.

The Bourbon character is evident on the nose and in the creamy mouthfeel but not overpowering in the flavor profile; with the moderate 8.5% abv this stout is truly drinkable. The color is like used motor oil, yet the palate is surprisingly bright. It is rich and complex like a Burgundy, with notes of coffee, pumpernickel, spruce tips, and black currents. This is a rare treat for any fan of the dark and exotic. Very limited amounts available in 375ml bottles. The next batch was already brewed and put into fresh barrels this month at Jolly Pumpkin, but it won’t be ready for at least another year.