Imperial Doughnut Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel-Aged
Evil Twin Brewing

 

 

 

 

22 oz bottle poured into a tulip

A- Black with a small dark mocha head.

S- Bourbon, maple, chocolate, hints of dark fruits, coffee, hints of glazed donuts, vanilla.

T- Chocolate, bourbon, maple, vanilla, some coffee, hints of glazed donuts, touch of dark fruits, very well balanced.

M- Smooth, full body.

O- A great maple bourbon barrel aged “porter”. Very CBS like, very well brewed like all Evil Twin stouts/porters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque black in the glass with a fine, half finger brown head with great retention and thick lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, bourbon, vanilla, hints of dark fruit. I can smell doughnuts too, but only because I read it on the bottle. Flavor is semi-sweet dark toasted and bready malt, bourbon, milk chocolate, vague dark fruit, vanilla and a bare hint of maple. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A huge, bourbony pastry of a stout, provides the impression of a good quality chocolate doughnut with bourbon drizzled on top. Despite the quantity of ingredients, well balanced and integrated. Oddly little maple flavor, but that's one that should be muted anyway; not much coffee either. A classic pastry stout that is sweet, but not cloying, warming, but with well covered booze. Evil Twin does a great job on these complicated stouts and comes through again. I just happened in the store when the three bottle allotment was put on the counter and hesitated at the price point, but knew I would ultimately be happy, which I am. Not for the pastry stout averse. Looks, smells and tastes luxurious, which it is.

Drank from a 1 pt. 6 fl. oz. bottle purchased at Craft Beer Cellar, Belmont, MA
Served in a tulip

The beer poured a viscous and oily, absolute pitch black. Even with a fairly aggressive pour, only a few wisps of saddle brown froth topped the body. No lacing whatsoever. On the second pour, a thin crown rose above the liquid, and doplets of lacing trickled down the glass.

The nose was really rich, malty and sweet. Caramel and brown sugar notes came through strong. Big vanilla presence as well. A nutty, almond or hazelnut-like quality was also quite apparent. Slightly roasty. Coffee was noticeable too. Boozy notes appeared as the beer warmed. No bourbon or barrel specifically however.

The flavor profile was similar to the aroma. Super malty, sweet and robust. Fairly roasty. Dark chocolate notes were apparent in the center. A bit fudgey. Espresso was noticeable as well. Touch of nuttiness. More roast and alcohol on the back end and the finish. A sweet, boozy warmth lingered after the swallow.

Nice soft, fluffy mouthfeel. Medium-full bodied for the style but perhaps a touch thin for a beer of this magnitude. The liquid contained a super fine, frothy, moderate effervescence.

Imperial Doughnut Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrel-Aged is an impressive pastry stout that was surprisingly more balanced (i.e. less sweet) than I anticipated. Although the maple/bourbon/barrel notes were nonexistent, this beer was terrific nevertheless.

 

 

This beer tastes very similar to CBS, but is much sweeter. It’s very dark with a tan head and looks very nice. It smells great: coffee, maple syrup mostly. It tastes very good, but may actually be a little too sweet. Depends on your tastes. It’s a great beer though and I’m glad I tried it.

 

Black appearance with a thick dense creamy brown foam head. Big almond and maple bourbon oak aroma, super intensely sweet taste, marshmallow vanilla, maple syrup, bourbon, sweet glazed frosted doughnuts, sprinkles, chocolate, roasted coffee, almonds, touch of dark fruit, dried fruits, with very little hop presence. Thick, creamy, pillowy, doughy, smooth mouthfeel with low carbonation.