Flying Monkey Invictus 22OZ is a bourbon barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout from Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery, bottled at 17.5–18.4% ABV in a 22-oz format. A Gold Medal winner at the 2016 Ontario Brewing Awards, this solera-system stout stands as one of the most ambitious barrel-aged beers produced in Canada. Quick Facts: ABV: 17.5–18.4% (varies by vintage) | Origin: Barrie, Ontario, Canada | Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout | Brewery: Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery Production & Heritage Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery operates out of 107 Dunlop Street East in Barrie, Ontario, and has built a reputation for boundary-pushing, small-batch releases. Invictus is brewed with a grain bill of Pale Malt, Munich Malt, Chocolate Malt, Great Western Malt, Caraform III, Roasted Barley, and Flaked Oats, then cellared for over a year in a rotating solera system of Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. The solera method blends older and younger beer across successive barrel generations, building layered complexity that a single-pass barrel aging cannot replicate—a process the brewery itself describes as "entirely unprofitable, and completely craft." Tasting Notes Aroma: Opaque ebony in the glass, Invictus opens with voluptuous waves of raisin, amaretto, and roasty bourbon. Underneath, toasted oak and brown sugar emerge as the beer warms. Taste: The entry is thick and silky, almost Cognac-like in consistency, delivering immediate hits of dark chocolate, cocoa, and espresso. Mid-palate, turbinado sweetness mingles with toffee, fudge, vanilla, and coconut drawn from the bourbon barrels. Caramel and molasses deepen the body, with marshmallow softness rounding out each sip. Finish: Long, bold, and warming, the finish carries bourbon, vanilla, milk chocolate, sweet molasses, and brown sugar well past the swallow. Dark cherry and roasted grain linger at the edges, giving a final bittersweet punctuation. How to Drink Invictus Pour Invictus into a snifter or tulip glass at cellar temperature (50–55°F) and let it open for several minutes; the complexity rewards patience. At its ABV and viscosity, this stout is best treated as a sipping beer, much like a digestif. For an indulgent twist, use a small measure as the base in a Beer Float with high-quality vanilla bean ice cream—the bourbon barrel character plays beautifully against cold cream. It also substitutes compellingly for stout in a Black Velvet variation, where a small splash of dry sparkling wine can cut the richness. Finally, a Boilermaker pairing alongside a pour of straight bourbon amplifies the shared barrel notes between beer and spirit. Best For Gifting a craft beer collector who values rare, limited-release bottles After-dinner sipping as a dessert course replacement Vertical or horizontal tastings comparing barrel-aged imperial stout vintages Cellar aging for future complexity development Frequently Asked Questions What does Invictus taste like? Invictus delivers intense dark chocolate, espresso, toffee, and vanilla layered over bourbon barrel character, with a viscous, almost Cognac-like body and a long, warming finish of brown sugar and dark cherry. How does Invictus compare to Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout? Both are high-ABV bourbon barrel-aged imperial stouts, but Invictus uses a solera system blending multiple barrel generations (Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, and Heaven Hill), whereas Bourbon County typically employs a single-pass barrel aging in Heaven Hill barrels. The solera method gives Invictus a more layered, vintage-blended complexity compared to Bourbon County's more straightforward barrel punch. Is Invictus good for sipping neat? Absolutely—its 17.5–18.4% ABV, thick mouthfeel, and multi-layered barrel character make it ideal for slow, contemplative sipping from a snifter at cellar temperature. Where is Invictus made? Invictus is brewed by Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery at 107 Dunlop Street East in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, and aged on-site in their solera barrel program. What foods pair well with Invictus? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and bourbon notes; aged cheddar contrasts the sweetness with sharp, savory depth; crème brûlée mirrors the caramel and vanilla barrel character; smoked brisket stands up to the stout's intensity; and pecan pie echoes the brown sugar and toasted oak flavors. What sizes does Invictus come in? Invictus is available in a 22-oz bomber bottle, the standard format for this limited release. Is Invictus worth the price? Invictus positions firmly in the ultra-premium craft beer tier, justified by its solera barrel-aging process spanning over a year across multiple high-end bourbon barrels, small-batch production, and vintage variation—placing it among the most labor-intensive imperial stouts on the market. Why Invictus? The solera system sets Invictus apart from the vast majority of barrel-aged imperial stouts, which rely on single-barrel or single-pass aging. By blending across generations of Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam, and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels, Flying Monkeys achieves a depth and integration of flavor that few North American breweries attempt. Its Gold Medal at the 2016 Ontario Brewing Awards validates the approach. With vintage-to-vintage ABV variation reflecting genuine batch character rather than industrial consistency, Invictus is a release built for drinkers who appreciate the craft behind the liquid.
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