White Label Imperial Russian Stout (Maker's Mark BA)
Brouwerij Emelisse

 

Got on trade! Served at 10deg C in a tulip

A- Opens well and pours almost no head even with a vigourus pour. Film out within a minute. Very dark brown colour

S- Lots of bourbon and malt. Super nice

T- Light bourbon and lots of chocolate. Nice blend. Nothing sticks out at you however I wish there was more bourbon flavor. Slightly bitter.

M- Creamy good. Not too dry at the end.

O- Nice brew. I like this one as it is balanced. Truth be told I do like brews with a bit more bourbon.

Food Pairing

This nice little brew went well with........ Leg of Lamb. Roasted with cloves, salt, pepper, cinnamon and brown sugar

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pours pitch black with a dark tan head.
Nose shows complex roast, vanilla, bourbon, woody oak and chocolate fudge.
Flavours include more roast, woody notes, vanilla, cocoa. Finishes nicely bittersweet.

Got this one at De Bierkoning in Amsterdam.

From a bottle into a snifter
EBC: 110
EBU: 75
25*P
Best Before September 2016

APPEARNCE: A clear black pour yeilds a two finger, medium-thick looking, creamy, dark tan head with great retention. Pitch black body with lower levels of carbonation. Head slowly fades to a full cap and coats the sides of the glass. A ring and splotchy wisp remains with touches of lacing down the glass. Good looking for sure.

SMELL: Lots of dark chocolate up front, with vanilla, bourbon, sweet cream, toffee and a bit of roasted malt. Very nicely balanced between the base stout and the barrels.

TASTE: Bourbon, oak and dark chocolate up front. Coconut, sweet cream and toffee sweetness as well. Very flavorful off the bat. Some oak and bourbon at the swallow with a touch of alcohol and a big and lingering finish of sweet cream, vanilla, toffee, bourbon, pure, bitter dark chocolate, some bitter coffee and nice roasted notes as well. Wondrful balance here, and very well measured.

PALATE: Medium-full body and medium levels of carbonation. Enough weight on the palate, creamy for sure, goes down smooth and finishes quite mouth coating. A bit of a scratch at the swallow. No real heat.

OVERALL: This is absolutely excellent. These guys might be the best brewery in the country at barrel aging, and perhaps the best on the continent. I've tried them all, and that's saying a lot. They continuously put out excellent barrel aged stouts and barleywines, and this one is no exception. Lots of good flavor and aroma with an impressive look and feel to support the whole experience. Well worth checking out if you can. Recommended.

 

 

Black pour, very thin dark beige head, quick to a sticky messy margin that's gonna linger quite some time.
I tried some Maker's Mark some time ago, and it was one of the best Bourbons i've ever had. I kinda get the feeling that i can detect it seperately from others now, and that's what i can say about this beer, too. A great Maker's Mark aroma, great caramel, light oaky vanilla, lots of chocolate, a touch of smoked wood, faint marshmallow, faint dark licorice, faint juicy raisin and plum.
Great Bourbon up front in the taste, rich caramel maltiness, with a touch of molasses, some great toffee and a bit of alcohol, just enough to enhance the taste. Nice chocolate, a great dark fruit profile, with slightly tart dark cherries, some fig, some raisin, hints of vanilla and licorice. Wood notes shine in the finish, with whisky-drenched stave, toasted oak and a clearer dry alcoholic note.
Aftertaste has Bourbon barrel, chocolate, faint dried dark fruit. The finish is surprisingly dry, helped by a moderate carbonation (that felt somewhat too much, for the style) and some light palate-numbing alcohol. It isn't boozy, tho, you can easily drink it and keep your head on your shoulders.
A rich tasty White Label, as usual from Emelisse. Awesome barrel work.