Baba Yaga - Vanilla
Ethereal Brewing

As the abundance of freshly decanted bourbon barrels continue to scour the Bluegrass region, the use of those barrels is a no brainer for local breweries. Copious amounts of vanilla and a long slumber in those barrels pushes Ethereal's imperial stout into truly rarified air once again.

Just as inky as ever but with a slight barrel bleaching, the beer's margins shows a tawny bronze color. A short lived scant head pops on the surface while a decadent bouquet of roasted grain soon commands the nose. Bittersweet chocolate, madeira, bourbon, coconut, espresso, vanilla, molasses, peppercorn and nutty oak all swirl above a savory sherry wine scent. Sweet on the tongue, the early palate is dessert-like with blackstrap molasses, condensed milk and sweetened espresso.

Across the middle palate, the layers of flavors rise and fall once again giving a new blend of tastes with every sip. Always rounded by fresh brewed espresso, the sweetness only intensifies to prop up the spiciness of the barrel to slowly take command of the balance. Toasty, peppery and laden with bitter baker's chocolate, the continued sweetness of the ale smoothens the alcohol flavor for a soothing vanilla, caramel, coconut and milk chocolate finish with the booziness of kahlua.

The beer's savory nuances trend sweet as the vanilla and bourbon win out in the finish in a satisfyingly sweet linger. Spicy with char, hints of campfire and coffee bean outlasts the malt sweetness and aging complexities to make the beer remarkably decadent and smooth for its strength. Vanilla Baba Yaga is a beloved malty-sweet bomb of a stout without loosing its roasty balances. That's its charm.