Base Imperial Stout
Braxton Brewing Company - Braxton Covington

I am sampling a cellar temp 500 ml bottle that is part of a swap with @Manta200 Thank you!

My bottle says 10.1% and is a 2021 vintage.
The beer is poured into my snifter and pours a black coffee color with a fluffy tan head of 3 cm and slightly overtopping my glass without spilling. This foam fades very slowly and remains a creamy head and covers the surface firmly leaving some tight lattice on the swirls.
Aroma is roasted malt and hints of caramel with a good dose of black coffee bean too. The roast borders on charred wood and dominates the flavor profile, as promised on the label. No hint of any hop character and the ABV is hidden at this point.
First sip reveals a medium bodied beer with very smooth and soft texture. The carbonation is fine and gentle and easily rolls across my palate. Physical traits make this an easy drinker for a higher ABV.
Flavor is briefly dark chocolate and a hint of caramel up front. This moves to roasted malts and black coffee, again the roast almost goes to charred wood and slightly bitter coffee. Definitely not much sweetness anywhere to be found, but also not any ABV notes or warmth anywhere, nor hop profile.
Overall a bit of a throwback imperial stout with no additives and heavy roasted notes. Quite drinkable and glad to have tried the bottle!

I am trying a 5oz taster of this beer off the tapper at the brewery. It poured an opaque dark with tan head that is leaving some lace. The scent had roast, vanilla extract, molasses and dark chocolate notes. The taste was nicely balanced and easy to drink with strong molasses and vanilla malt with roast highlights. The mouthfeel was fuller in body and had good carbonation. Overall it is a very solid beer! I would love to try a bourbon barrel aged version of this beer!