Aged in fresh bourbon barrels for upwards of 4 years, High Water Brewing’s ridiculously limited edition Built to Last Dark Ale brings the kind of luscious flavor depths that make bourbonheads chase after bottles of Pappy van Winkle. In short, just the kinda rare-beer that barrel-aged junkies like myself can’t resist.

You won’t find this 9.7% ABV bourbon-spun brew in your corner bottle shop -- Built to Last is so limited, we doubt it’ll make its way outside of High Water’s California home turf.

This is what four years in the barrel brings to a brew: notes of chocolate dark plum, blackstrap molasses, and leather permeate the mouthfeel. To brighten the load, High Water blends the beer with younger vintages aged for 9 months, encouraging vanilla, brown sugar, and spice notes of fresh whiskey. Rich as it is intense, the 9.7% ABV heat keeps the finish dry and your mouth eager for another sip.

Winning 3 GABF medals for their dark beer exploits, High Water is a beer whisperer when it comes to roasty, boozy Ales. Built to Last is their most opulent achievement we’ve tasted yet. And it’s aptly named -- it’s a true cellar companion with flavors that develop - and last - over time.