Sad Wings
E9 Brewing Co.

 

16oz can
date stamped 11/11/2022; 10% ABV
L: near black body, foamy brown head dissipates quickly
S: oaky bourbon, roast, dark chocolate, booze
T: boozy & rich; bourbon, oak, vanilla, dark cocoa, caramel, toffee, black tea, earthy hops, raisin, faint fruity esters - cherry perhaps
F: fuller body, ample carbonation, alcohol is warming but well concealed, nice balance of bourbon and cocoa
O: I always love an Imperial stout with decadent dark chocolate notes. Add in a bourbon barrel, and this one is a winner for me

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark mahogany brown, appearing nearly opaque in the glass with a quarter finger dark khaki head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, coffee, bakers chocolate and woody oak. Flavor is dark toasted malt, bakers chocolate, bourbon and lactose; dark dried fruit and oak in the finish. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. I've been drinking a lot of imperial stouts over the last year and this one really stands out with an interesting profile. The base malt tastes a little light for a barreled stout with the malt flavors in the background, but it still delivers great chocolate, some coffee and even a little lactose/vanilla note as well as some fine bourbon barrel fruitiness and oak. An intriguing flavor progression starting with the chocolate and coffee and then revealing fruit, vanilla and finally the woody oak. I'm having to pace myself not to keep sipping to find the flavors, the ABV is too well covered. I like this a lot; going back for a few more cans.

Minimal head retention. Very dry and tannic, with vinous notes and dark-roasted bitterness. Anise, baker's chocolate, hints of prune. Smooth, moderately full-bodied mouthfeel for 10% ABV, but it makes me want to grab a glass of red wine instead. In general, I think it's very well done and distinctive, just not a profile I would reach for frequently.