Oak Aged Russian Imperial Stout
Kulshan Brewing Company

 

16.9 oz bottle gifted by a buddy. Beautiful jet-black pour with a thin lively head that dissipates. Deep aroma of dark fruit, oak, smoke, char and some vanilla. Taste is roasted malt, figs, dates, raisin, baker's chocolate, oak, coffee grounds, vanilla. Big bitter aftertaste follows up the powerful flavors and overall richness of the oak. Must be the hops making themselves known. It's pronounced. I picked up a bit of tartness along with an increasing bitterness as the beer neared room temp. Smooth throughout with a viscous mouthfeel. More bitter and oaky than sweet - a deviation from the style.

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours pitch black with a thin, light brown head that dissipates to patches and light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, oaky vanilla, light chocolate. Flavor is rich dark toasted malt, coffee, bitter chocolate, oak. Finishes with light char, coffee and oak. Medium bodied with light creaminess and good carbonation, despite the quiet pour. A rich and flavorful Russian imperial stout, with a little more hopping than is typical for the style, which reminds me of a recent discussion here about the difference between this style and an American imperial stout. This one blurs the boundaries. The deep malt body is very true to classic RIS style, and the hops in the finish are a welcome addition. The hop bitterness blends nicely with the coffee and light oak flavors. This is quite good. Glad I happened to be in the right place and time to get a bottle of this. Hope to see more big ales like this from Kulshan. Great job.