Buffalo Trace Russian Imperial Stout
Apex Aleworks

Pours black with a half finger of creamy khaki foam. Head didn't form straight out of the bottle when removed from the fridge, but after warming for ~2 hours, the second pour gained half a finger of khaki foam. Head retention is good. Aroma is roasty, toasty, earthy malts with a hit of boozy bourbon, smooth oak and a kiss of bitter char. Toffee, raisins and brown sugar add a little further complexity and a touch of sweetness. Net balance is centered, neither boozy nor sweet. Flavor profile is roasty, toasty, earthy, bready, caramely malts with a swelling boozy touch just beyond. Bourbon and a kiss of bitter, oaky char form the boozy touch, but again, fold well into the flavor profile, enhancing the malts without singe the tongue. Bits and pieces of toffee, molasses, brown sugar and chocolate add a little sweetness. Mouth feel is medium thick at the onset, but pulls apart to a medium-thin, light-bodied texture at the finish. Not quite the mouth feel or presence of a 10% ABV stout. Overall, initial pour is a little worrisome, but after warming - it turned out great. Balanced and nuanced, without being aggressive or oppressive.

Served in a 15.5oz Speigalau tulip from a 22oz bottle. Bottle 4 of 36. Canned 10/10/19, consumed/reviewed 12/27/19.