Rum Russian
2SP Brewing Company

A can poured into a stemless snifter.
Dark with a dense tan head that dissipates.
Sweet caramelized malt dominates. Molasses, cocoa, coconut and oaky rum notes in accompaniment, with hints of vanilla, raisins.
A dry bitterness lurks like melted baker’s chocolate, the hops flavor is muted, but present.
The 9.6% ABV is warming, but not offensively boozy.
A pretty good barrel aged imperial, the complexity seems to grow a little with each sip.

Poured from a 12oz can into pint glass in January 2026. I drank this within 1 month of purchase. I do not see any canned on date stamped on the can or label.

Appearance: Very dark black with 1 finger head. The head was dark reddish-tan, with fine bubbles, and there was very little lacing on the glass. There was no head remaining after a couple of minutes.

Smell: Strong aroma of rum as soon as the can was opened. Also roasted malts and chocolate. Not much hop aroma.

Taste: There is a sweetness from the rum as well as chocolate and smoky rousted stout malt flavors. Also a little caramel and other sweet flavors. There is very little bitterness from hops. There is a medium-strong alcohol presence that matches 9.6% listed on the label. There is a strong oak and rum aftertaste, that is enjoyable.

Mouth-feel: This is a big beer, as expected, and feels thick in the mouth. It has a smooth and creamy body.

This is a good barrel aged Imperial Stout, and it has a variety of flavors that adds a nice complexity to the beer. The rum, chocolate, and roasted malt flavors nicely contrast and balance each other. It is very smooth and enjoyable to drink. I like this, and would buy this again.

 

Poured cellar temp from a can into a 16oz pint glass. Appearance is opaque black with some faint ruby hues with a light held behind the glass. Small semblance of head that dissipated rapidly. Little lacing evident.
Aroma is rum, booze, brown sugar, molasses.
Taste follows the nose with a punch of rum notes at the front with sweet lightly toasted malt, molasses, brown sugar, raisins, plum.
Mouthfeel is medium full. Carbonation is abundant with some bitterness from the hops and/or rum barrel. Some stickiness on the finish.
Overall, this is a different RIS than I am used to. Usually grab the bourbon aged but this was there so snagged a 4-pack. Im not disappointed by it but not loving it either....there are alot of contrasting flavors at play which some work together while others like the rum, malt, and hops aren't playing nicely with each other. Kudos for trying something unique.

12oz can from my brother. Dark brown pour with a paper thin beige head. Rum barrel is evident upon opening, sweet brown sugar notes. A little boozy. Rum is the dominant flavor too, sweet molasses, light roasty notes and a pleasant warmth. Nice to have an imperial stout that doesn't clobber you with ABV.

Purchased as part of a 6 pack of 12 oz cans. 1/17/2024 can date.

L- Jet black with a creamy dense head.

S- Definitely rum with raisin and dates.

T- Black rum and molasses with pleasant
dark roasted malt and hop bite.

F- Viscous mouthfeel. Very delicate carbonation.

O- One of the better rum barrel aged RIS!