A Reflection Of Myself
Cloudwater Brew Co.

Pours a pitch-black coloration with a small, creamy, dark-brown head that soon fades to nothing. Smells of slightly roasted and caramelly malt, chocolate, dark and red fruit, with notes of raisin, plum, cherry and red grape, some tonka bean and hints of spice and wood. Taste is an excellent balance of slightly roasted and caramelly malt and distinct chocolate and dark/red fruit and berries, with notes of raisin, plum, fig, cherrry, red grape and cranberry, as well as a strong, sweet and herbal tonka bean presence, with notes of vanilla and woodruff, as well as hints of licorice, peppery spice and port-soaked oak. Finishes bittersweet, with some chocolate, dark/red fruit and tonka bean lingering in the aftertaste. Full mouthfeel with a rich body and light/medium carbonation.

This makes for a very rich, decadent and sublimely balanced barrel-aged Imperial Stout with a distinct, fruity and slightly spicy fruit cake character, as well as strong chocolate and tonka notes, that is just a perfect fit for aging in port barrels, which add some red fruit and berries, as well as hints of musty, tannic wood. While it's quite sweet, it never feels cloying due to some roasted, bitter and very slightly tart accents that balance this out just perfectly. Overall, this makes for an incredibly satisfying brew, starting with the intoxicating chocolate fruit cake aroma, sublimely balanced, decadent taste, and full and rich body and mouthfeel. By far the best barrel-aged Imperial Stout I've had in a while, which is proof once again that Cloudwater can do more than just amazing IPAs. A real joy to drink that should best be savoured in front of a roaring fireplace on a dark winter night.