It’s here, folks. Goose Island’s 2025 Bourbon County Stout Lineup, which is a liquid celebration honoring whiskey and beer. This year’s drop of six beers is meant to tell “a story of metamorphosis,” according to the brand. The brand is also dropping 10-ounce four-pack bottles of its Bourbon County Brand Original Stout, perfect for tastings or enjoying all year.
The brand shares that its Bourbon County Brand Original Stout is particularly significant in that the beer is the first bourbon-barrel aged stout, since its inception in 1992.
“Having been fortunate enough to try the very first Bourbon County Stout in 1992 when it was draft-only at our pub, I’ve witnessed the birth — and every evolution — of Bourbon County Brand Stout. As pioneers of barrel-aged stouts, we’ve always evolved to meet the moment and the drinker,” said Goose Island Beer Co. President Todd Ahsmann in a statement. “This new bottle for our Original Stout has been years in the making, and it’s breaking down barriers for beer lovers to enjoy this beer during more occasions. Whether you’re celebrating life’s little moments or simply don’t want to wait for stout season, our new 10-oz bottle makes Bourbon County Stout easier to enjoy — anytime.”
The lineup features the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout, 2025 Bourbon County Brand Cherries Jubilee Stout, 2025 Bourbon County Chocolate Praline Stout, 2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout, 2025 Bourbon County Brand Double Barrel Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Stout and the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Parker’s Heritage Reserve Stout, which aged in rare 17th Edition Parker’s Heritage 10-year-old rye whiskey barrels.
“This is another great collaboration with our friends at Goose Island,” shared Heaven Hill Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll in a statement. “The rich sweetness of the stout pairs beautifully with subtle rye whiskey influences from the ten-year-old barrels. Classic rye baking spice notes complement the chocolate and coffee notes in the beer.”
An Inside Look at Goose Island’s 2025 Bourbon County Lineup
2025 Bourbon County Brand Original Stout
The Process: Goose Island aged its Imperial stout in a selection of “freshly emptied” barrels from storied distilleries like Heaven Hill, Four Roses, Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey for 12 months. 2025’s edition is the first time the release is available in 4-pack 10-oz bottles in addition to draft format.
Tasting Notes: Caramelized sugar interlaced with vanillas, cherries and cocoa powder.
2025 Bourbon County Brand Cherries Jubilee Stout
The Process: Goose Island’s Cherries Jubilee Stout is inspired by this iconic flambéed dessert. The brand took its imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels and finished it in cognac barrels with Montmorency cherries, citrus and panela. It is available in 16.9 oz bottles and on draft.
Tasting Notes: Goose Island cites dark cocoa, vibrant dark stone fruits like plums, and a caramelized citrus finish.
2025 Bourbon County Brand Chocolate Praline Stout
The Process: Goose Island’s 2025 Bourbon County Brand underwent an initial aging process in freshly-emptied bourbon barrels. The team layered the beer with cocoa nibs, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews and dates.
Tasting Notes: Goose Island cites fudge and chewy toffee.
2025 Bourbon County Brand Proprietor’s Stout
The Process: Goose Island’s Proprietor’s Stout took its inspiration from Goose Island Brewer Colby Magratten’s aunt’s beehives on her Rhode Island property. This beer spent time initially aging in bourbon barrels, then underwent a finishing process involving walnuts, pistachios, honey and cassia bark.
Tasting Notes: Roasted and candied nuts, baking spice and caramelized honeycomb.
2025 Bourbon County Brand Double Barrel Stout
The Process: Goose Island shares that for this collaboration with Heaven Hill , the beer spent time double-barrel-aging in Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Barrels. This particular beer honors the “nuanced complexity of whiskey.”
Tasting Notes: Toasted marshmallow, warm vanilla with oak on the finish.
2025 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout
The Process: Goose Island took its Imperial stout and aged it for two years in Parker’s Heritage Collection 10-Year 17th Edition Rye Whiskey. The brand shared the extended hang time goes above and beyond the traditional aging regimen for its releases.
Tasting Notes: Dried fruit, rye spice and marzipan.
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