North Coast Old Rasputin Anniversary Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout

Brewed by North Coast Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Fort Bragg, California USA

Bottle: XII Anniversary...dark black pour with a medium tan head. Nose is heavy on the bourbon with some dry, oak notes apparent along with a boat-load of vanilla bean, dark chocolate and some ashy, roasted malts. Medium carbonation...silky finish. Flavor starts with the sweet vanilla and bourbon notes and melds into a very dry, oaky finish. Some additional chocolate and brown sugar touches are present as well.

Thanks to frankenkitty for sharing this (and to BrideOfFrankenkitty for not liking big stouts, so there was more to be had). This poured a thick, blackish brown body with a tall and sustained brown head. The first whiff of the beer was strong with anise followed by dark roasted malt, Bourbon, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, and oak. It had a very smooth, creamy mouthfeel, slightly hot with alcohol. The flavor was reflective of the aroma and saw the addition of alcohol and burnt barley, all merging together very nicely. Very nice sipper.

Half liter 12th Anniv. courtesy of tpd975. Pours deep dark with creamy mocha head. The aroma is fresh oak and fudge brownie notes moving into some alcohol heat. The taste seems a bit bright with oak and then blending into creamy moist chocolate brownie, some caramel and then dark to burnt malts.

Bottle thanks to cavie. Pours a dark brown/black with tan head. Aroma of alcohol, wood, dark roast and some chocolate. Flavor of strong dark roast, coffee, malt and wood. Mouth feel is heavy body with low carbonation. Overall, a very tasty, nice sipping brew.

Nearly opaque brown-black with a large light brown head. Heavy bourbon note in the aroma, with dark chocolate, vanilla, and toast. Caramel, vanilla, dark alefruit flavors. Very smooth.

PACKAGE: 500 mL corked/caged bottle
AROMA: Substantial chocolate and bourbon with a slight note of roasty sweetness.
APPEARANCE: Pours opaque black with a persistent brown head (about 1/4") and dissipates to a thin brown, frothy film that leaves light lacing with each sip.
FLAVOR: Initial flavor is purely imperial stout - chocolate, coffee, and a light sweetness, but the bourbon takes over quickly and entirely, leaving a very distinct bourbon after.
MOUTHFEEL: A full bodied RIS (as expected) with a moderate carbonation level.
OVERALL: Exactly as advertised and a very enjoyable sipper. What more would one expect when starting with such a phenomenal beer and ending in a bourbon barrel for some complexity. The alcohol dominance was a bit out of balance, but that did not take away from my impression in the least.

I knew I’d like this - take one of my favorite beers and do one of my favorite things to it - but I didn’t realize I’d like it THIS much. Dense black with a rich, frothy head. Aroma of bourbon, over-ripe fruit, and some char. More of the same on first sip, plus coffee, vanilla, even some wine-like notes. The aging seems to have taken a little of the slightly rough edge off the Rasputin. Aftertaste of bourbon char, plus some dryness at the finish. The alcohol presence is rich and warming, just where it should be. I did think the $23 price was bit high -- but a week later I bought a second bottle, so I guess not. This is a masterpiece.

500ml Bottle: Aroma of bourbon, wood, chocolate, light alcohol, light vanilla, light coconut, light cream, light roasted malts, and a hint of espresso. Poured pitch black in color with a large, dense, brown head that diminished but lasted throughout. Opaque. Slightly sparkling. Flavor is medium sweet. Tastes of bourbon, light alcohol, light vanilla, wood, chocolate, slight espresso, light roasted malts, slight tar, and and a little cream. Medium body. Smooth, silky, then slightly dry texture. Soft to average carbonation. Bourbon, light alcohol, chocolate, wood, and slight tar finish is a tad dry. 11.2%ABV is noticeable but not overbearing.