Far and away, my favorite beer from Atlanta’s Monday Night Brewery is their luscious Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale. I have a predilection for big, malty brews like Scotch Ales/Wee Heavies, and Drafty Kilt is a truly wonderful one. It doesn’t hurt that they like to play with it, and I’ve enjoyed it on tap in both its regular form and from a nitro-pour; a cinnamon coca version was also very tasty. So, when I saw Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt on tap at Taco Mac, I just had to order a glass.

Thing is, I am pretty sure that I have a bomber of this beer somewhere, so I’ll let that one age and get back to you on it later. You should know, too, that this is not just your average everyday Drafty Kilt stuck in some bourbon barrels for a while then bottled and kegged for your enjoyment. Oh no. Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt, part of the brewery’s Black Tie Series, is a bigger, bolder, and stronger brew, fortified for the barrel aging.

From the brewery website:

What do Scotland and the American South have in common? An appreciation for good booze. But that doesn’t mean they always get along. We put our award-winning Drafty Kilt Scotch Ale in Kentucky bourbon barrels and let them duke it out in the cellar. Who won? You did. Oh, also we did. Again. A GABF Gold Meal. No big deal.

Ingredients, again from the website:

Columbus and Willamette hops

Roasted Barley, Chocolate Malt, Crystal Malt, Cherrywood-smoked Malt

Monday Night Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt has an alcohol content of 8.5% by volume (standard Drafty Kilt has an ABV of 7.2%) with 26 IBUs. I paid $7 for an 11-ounce glass at Taco Mac.

That glass of Monday Night Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt arrived jet black in color with a minimal wispy head and boozy bourbon in the nose. Taking a sip I got luscious hints of licorice, chocolate, sweet treacle malt and strong boozy bourbon in the palate, grassy hops and jet fuel burn at the last.

What a wonderful beer, perfect for sipping on a cold February evening. Now excuse me if you will. I’m off to look for that bottle of Monday Night Bourbon Barrel Drafty Kilt I have around here somewhere….

And remember, try a new beer today, and drink outside the box.

*Pricing data accurate at time of review or latest update. For reference only, based on actual price paid by reviewer.

(B)=Bottled

(D)=Draft

(G)=Growler