Old Rasputin X Anniversary Barrel Aged Stout
North Coast Brewing Co.

500ml bottle from the cellar.

Pours opaque black with a half-inch head of tan. Decent retention and lacing for the age. Dark chocolate, bourbon, nougat in the nose. Full bodied with a soft, slixk, oily mouthfeel. Rich chocolate laced with mellow bourbon and espresso on the palate. Finishes boozy and rich.

 

 

Poured from the bottle into Belgian glasses with the wife in the backyard 8 years after buying it at the brewery.

Appearance: Cloudy. Some floaters, but nothing to be concerned about. GREAT carbonation for a beer this old. Nice cream-colored head.

Smell: Subdued. Dark fruit and wood.

Taste: Smooth and mellow. All trace of fusels and boozy notes are gone. Dry cocoa, dark over-ripe cherry, dates, dank rotting wood (in a good way). Fabulous.

Mouthfeel: Velvety and creamy with the slightest sharp tangy edge.

Overall: I will miss this beer, but I felt 8 years was long enough in the cellar. As great as it was to drink, it also felt like it was on the verge of collapse. If there was a sweet spot for this particular bottle, I'm pretty sure I hit it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poured from the bottle into a tasting snifter.

Appearance: Pours a very dark brown color with some red at the edges. There is a layer of off white head that leaves a ring around the pour.

Smell: Sweet roasted malt with some carmel and dark fruit in the mix as well. Very smooth.

Taste: The age has made this a very smooth beer. Roasted malt and dark chocolate. The bourbon is there, but there isn't much heat at all. The roast and bourbon sweetness continue through the finish.

Mouthfeel: The body is a bit syrupy with tingly carbonation and a dry finish.

Overall: I remember liking the XI a bit more when I had it, but this was a great beer as well. Never thought I would get to try this one. I'd have more if someone wanted to share.

Shared by ygtbms94. Thanks Brad!

The beer is dark, ominous black. Still nice carbonation evident, with a half inch or more of beige head. Scents of roast, oak, chocolate, bourbon. Thick in body and smooth, with subtle alcoholic warmth in the finish. Oak and vanilla notes add depth and complexity. Additional flavors of chocolate and charred roast. Well balanced and delicious. Age has served this beer well. What a treat.

Review #2,750. Randomly busted out by Sean. Served in a Hill Farmstead tulip.

A - Tan foam settles to a collar, wispy partial cap, and spotty lace. Opaque near-black body.

S - This has held up surprisingly well, although some inoffensive oxidation is starting to creep in lending some fruity notes to the oaky vanilla, chocolate, roast, anise, and hint of char.

T - The taste is quite nice, and reveals less age and oxidation than the aroma. A delightful blend of cocoa, vanilla, oak, nutty and lightly sugary malts, and earthy bourbon. The aging seems to have muted the barrel-aging influence, bringing a bit more balance between the bourbon, oak, and base beer than subsequent iterations. Either that, or this was more restrained to begin with.

M - Smooth, medium body, pleasant carbonation. Perhaps a bit thinned out after nearly 5 years but otherwise really mellow, with minimal alcohol heat. Surprisingly dry and clean finish. Quite easy-to-drink.

D - This beer has held up really well. The oxidation is fairly mild and integrates with the flavor profile in a largely complementary manner. Quite enjoyable, but drink up soon on this one. Would gladly drink this one again.