Chai Ded Moroz
Rushing Duck Brewing Company

 

Poured from 500 ML bottle into a tulip glass. A dark mahogany color with a frothy light mocha head that fizzles away rapidly. The smell is fragrant with the chai spicing leading the way along with dark chocolate, freshly brewed coffee, tobacco smoke, caramel, char, and a whiff of dark fruit. The taste follows - strong cinnamon bitterness gives way to fairly sweet chocolate and acidic coffee. There are other sweet notes deep in the background, including black cherry. The barrel influence is noticeable but not distracting; it doesn't come across as boozy. Letting the Stout breathe in the glass allows the chai to mellow and the other flavors to develop. The Stout is moderate in body and fairly carbonated for the style. The 11.2% ABV is not overpowering. Overall, a very nice variant of Rushing Duck's Ded Moroz Russian Imperial Stout.