Xanadu
Kilannan Brewery at Coffin Ridge

Appearance: A body as black as night and a finger and a half of foamy head that retained exceptionally well but didn't really produce a lot in the way of lace. I'm honestly surprised no nitro is involved here.

Smell: Very boozy on the nose, as it seems like whisky dominates here, and I will say it is a positive, but it just doesn't strike me as done well. It smells like someone took the most generic whisky possible and added it to the beer. The nuances you normally find from barrel ageing seem lost on this one. It is only only held back somewhat by ample burnt malt.

Taste: Bitter burnt malt permeates the entire experience and really drowns out anything else that the beer could offer. Near the start I catch some sweeter Vanilla notes and near the end more bitter coffee like taste but the burnt malt is dominant. There's also a slight alcohol tinge to it, which is nearly concealed, but still there.

Mouthfeel: Given it's a double imperial stout, I'm going to give it a bit of free pass on how bitter is is throughout. It just seems to take something away from the transitioning of the beer. It does maintain its carbonation decently, but it`s too aggressive once you get past the initial sip. Stout shouldn't come across as bubbly. Creamy, foamy or even calmer/flatter but not bubbly.

Drinkability: Heavy, but then again it is an imperial stout. That said, I'd expect it to be richer and more interesting and on that note it falls flat. It's certain a sipping beer that is for sure, but despite fairly aggressive carbonation, it seems to settle down well.

Final Thoughts: It drinks like an imperial stout, trying desperately to be a run of the mill, single beer for the night sipping stout. I mean, I could see this being good in the winter before or after a trek, or to drink by the fireplace. However apart from that, I can't really think when I'd drink this, especially given the brewery makes a damn fine Oatmeal stout. It's ok, and if you are passing by Owen Sound, by all means pick it up. That said, I wouldn't actively seek this one out and would say to pass on it.

 

S- Strong nutty smell, with hints of vanilla and coffee. Very roasted smell. Alcohol content is very apparent. Too high for my liking.
L- Dark brown/black colour. Pours with a decent head, lasts decently to the bottom of the glass.
T- It tastes nutty, with hints of coffee, a bit of roasted oats, vanilla (comes from the bourbon barrel aging), and finishes almost with a chocolatey bitterness. Has a certain sweetness to it, but also a certain bitterness.
F- On the lighter side of a heavier mouthfeel, very light carbonation, ends fairly dry. The alcohol content sneaks up on you.
Good paired with new york cheesecake. but also lovely to sip very casually out of a snifter on its own. Overall, a great brew by a decent brewer.