Schlafly Reserve - Imperial Stout

2010 Schlafly Reserve - Imperial Stout by Schlafly Brewing
Style / abv: Russian Imperial Stout / 10.5%
Source / Temp: Bottle / 55 deg
Glass: Medium Snifter

Appearance: Black ale with a very thin tan head.

Aroma: I pick up alcohol, cherry, and bourbon.

Taste: I'm very surprised that the alcohol smell doesn't translate to the taste. This brew has a big sweet malty flavor and finishes with dry dark chocolate. Somewhere in the distance is a slight bourbon flavor.

Drinkability: This is a smooth, fairly thin ale with very low carbonation, and a slight hop bite at the finish.

Notes:
The alcohol sneaks up on you because, though it lingers in the aroma, it is virtually undetectable in the taste. This is a very nice, high quality beer, yet I find myself a little disappointed. When I have a bourbon barrel aged stout, I prefer a bigger bourbon flavor. To be fair, I need to try this beer fresh since two years of aging in the bottle has undoubtedly blended and mellowed the brew.

I give 2010 Schlafly Reserve - Imperial Stout 7.5 out of 10.

Eis Igian,
Randall