Weyerbacher says: "This incredibly intriguing ale is made by aging our Old Heathen
Imperial Stout in oak barrels that were used for making fine Kentucky
bourbon! The result is an extraordinary, dark, and mysterious stout
whose very essence has been enhanced. The aroma is filled with vanilla,
cocoa, and roasted coffee beans.
This silky-smooth brew has notes of oak, whiskey, roasted barley and vanilla that meld together on the tongue to create an incredible sensation."
This 8% Russian imperial stout came to me by trade, since Weyerbacher is out of PA and we don't see their distribution here in California. The brewery says this is released in February, and I'm drinking last year's vintage.
Appearance: Pitch black with a foamy brown head that pours about 1 finger in height and recedes completely away, leaving no lacing or rings on the glass.
Smell: Cocoa, leather, oak, espresso, smoke, in that order. As the beer warms, a touch of alcohol comes out, but it's not too strong.
Taste: Huge notes of oak and chocolate. It's very barrel-forward. There is a bit of coffee on the back of the palate, as well as traces of cherry and vanilla, but mostly I taste the barrel.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with a creamy texture and slight pricks of carbonation. Very smooth and a light finish. This is very nice.
Overall: This is a good-tasting RIS, but I find the complexity a bit lacking. I don't get any booze taste on the palate, which is nice, but the barrel dominates the flavors. Even though I can pick up the notes I expect from a stout, they're not particularly balanced and blended in a way that gives me an "Aha!" moment when I'm drinking. Overall this is a solid effort but not an exceptional one.
3/5
This silky-smooth brew has notes of oak, whiskey, roasted barley and vanilla that meld together on the tongue to create an incredible sensation."
This 8% Russian imperial stout came to me by trade, since Weyerbacher is out of PA and we don't see their distribution here in California. The brewery says this is released in February, and I'm drinking last year's vintage.
Appearance: Pitch black with a foamy brown head that pours about 1 finger in height and recedes completely away, leaving no lacing or rings on the glass.
Smell: Cocoa, leather, oak, espresso, smoke, in that order. As the beer warms, a touch of alcohol comes out, but it's not too strong.
Taste: Huge notes of oak and chocolate. It's very barrel-forward. There is a bit of coffee on the back of the palate, as well as traces of cherry and vanilla, but mostly I taste the barrel.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with a creamy texture and slight pricks of carbonation. Very smooth and a light finish. This is very nice.
Overall: This is a good-tasting RIS, but I find the complexity a bit lacking. I don't get any booze taste on the palate, which is nice, but the barrel dominates the flavors. Even though I can pick up the notes I expect from a stout, they're not particularly balanced and blended in a way that gives me an "Aha!" moment when I'm drinking. Overall this is a solid effort but not an exceptional one.
3/5
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