North Coast Old Rasputin Anniversary Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout

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

My special occasion 500ml enjoyed with a friend. Pours a flat obsidian with a tan head that fades to a delicate layer. The nose is full of chocolate, molasses, bourbon, and dark malt with a hint of dark fruits. The flavor has a smokehouse character to it similar to an aged scotch...Slight roasted malt, bourbon, and vanilla up front and dark chocolate with fruits in the background. Carbonation is outstanding, creamy and rich with a clean mouthfeel. Little lacing sticks to the glass but melts back into the beer. Lovely, only wish it was a bigger bottle.

On tap at the Blind Tiger’s VSK3 event. 10th anniversary edition. Tried a sip of this a bit cooler and it was really good, but when I finally got to my sample which had gone closer to cellar or room temperature, it was not quite so impressive. Pours a deep black with a thick creamy mocha head. Bourbon, roast malt, char, chocolate. Very sweet, getting cloying and undrinkable as it warms. Coffee and roast flavors, but the sweetness is too much to get past.

Wow. Huge dark bold pour. Great roast and burbon nose. So smooth with an amazing warm chocolate finish. Woot.

Big wood, chocolate, thick, moderate to heavy alcohol, a great sipping beer. Had oone of my case of XI tonight. This will continue to age well.

Bottle thanks to ericandersnavy at the Houston October RB tasting. Sweet, chocolately, alcoholic, thick and chewy. Very good.

The Dan Journal #288. Tasted 8/21/09. 500ml bottle. Opaque dark hue. Finger width of khaki head. Aromas of vanilla and molasses with a touch of toffee. Followed up with cocoa and chocolate. Mocha and coffee. Great nose! So good. Full bodied and totally delicious. Smooth and mild but with a great sweetness. Mildly tart with a decent burn. Noticeable, yet acceptable. Big malts with dominant flavors of coffee, chocolate, vanilla, fudge and a mild and subtle dark berry ester. This was pricey, but absolutely amazing! True classic!

12th Anniversary bottle. Nose is amazing with strong booze and caramel notes. Body pours jet black with a tight brown head with great retention. Flavors are dark, roasty malts, heavy espresso, reduced sweet bourbon, some slight oak sourness and lots of toffee, caramel and chocolate notes. This beer just straight dances on my pallate and gives me that warm fuzzy feeling inside. Really really impressive

Magnum shared wtih friends. Whipsy mist from the depths of history curl from the neck of the magnum as the cork is pulled. Nose of light coffe and thick malts are slowly overtaken bu mellow heat and a light bourbony resin. A shimmering silkiness is apparent as it is poured into the awaiting glasses. The full pour yeilds a healthy head that settles ever so slowly. Nearly thick enough to float our wavering econcomy. As beer warms to hands, the infused cask heat mingles thru the thick malts and warms your frozen soul. Body is full and welcome. Dark fruit are present as well. A fine winter welcome.