Old Rasputin XII (12th Anniversary) - North Coast Brewing, 11.2% ABV, (Fort Bragg, CA, USA)
From ratebeer.com:
“Seems hard to believe that we’ve been making Old Rasputin for 10 years now, but that’s what’s happened. And, to celebrate the occasion, we’ve brewed a special small batch that’s been aged for 9 months in some 12 year-old bourbon barrels. It’s bottled in 500 ml bottles with a cork and wired finish and a special commemorative label —— and it’s amazing. The depth, intensity and complexity of the flavor profile make it a worthy tribute to this fine beer.”
My Notes:
Tasting Notes: pours plasma TV black, small head, nano CO2 foam, ringed retention, sticky lacing. Light coffee malts on the nose. Delightfully creamy at the start, medium thick viscosity, mild & gentle roasted coffee throughout, 5/10 sweetness, transitions beautifully into a soft bitter chocolaty finish. Notes of vanilla, almond, and cherries. High complexity, med-high length, fabulous transitions, high depth, long length. Almost perfect but a bit of ethyl alcohol detection at the 2/3 mark; probably can’t be helped but still detracts from the tasting experience. Be careful with this one, 1/2 bottle through and it is on.