Stone Imperial Russian Stout is so thick, rich and well, sinful you might feel certain that you are to be doomed to the fiery pits just for thinking about taking a sip. It almost seems evil. Rest assured, however, that our ever faithful gargoyle has done his job well by successfully warding off all evil spirits. In fact, we guarantee that no sin was committed in the production of this seemingly pernicious brew. We will admit that we used copious does of decadence in creating the viscous beauty you have before you, but no actual sin… You’ll have to add that on your own.
This particular edition is brewed in the authentic historical style of an Imperial Russian Stout, and then, shall we say… embellished. Specifically, by using a Belgian yeast strain, adding liberal amounts of star anise, and oaking it (which arguably could be considered “historical” as they used wooden barrels back then rather than todays stainless steel).
While our original version is “intensely aromatic (notes of anise, black currants, coffee, roastiness and alcohol) and heavy on the palate,” this Odd Year version doesn’t just have “notes” of anise… it screams it. Big, loud, & proud. LIke the Russian Czarists. Presumably. Truth is, we can’t say for certain, but one sip it’s easy to imagine it to be true.
Comments
Lico-whoah!
Appearance: Dark, even the head is a rich, brown with hints of red. Surface settles quickly, but doesn't move after that. Made me extra curious about the OG.
Aroma: Wow, smells like a dark bag of penny licorice. As of late, not my favorite aroma, but works well with the oak & coffee undertones. dig deep and you can get the roasty pungent smell of anise.
Flavor: Not too bitter for the first SIP, IMHO, and if it is, it softens quickly. Susequent samples bring the bitter to bear. Sweet. Licorice gets you again on the backside in. the nose, along with the alcohol. Lingering anise is subtle and nice. Coffee and cocoa are on the edges.
Mouthfeel: Soft, smooth, almost minty-cool at times. A good swirl will get things going in a hurry, but almost as fast is dicipated. Quick CO2 in this one.
Overall: Great, slow drinker. Don't see more than one of these in any nights lineup. Would work well with a smoke or smokey meal; the licorice should hold up against almost anything I should think. Get a few, drink one, age the rest. This thing has so much going on underneath the surface, if the anise were to settle down, I think things would get interesting.