Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout

[Verjuice]

Has anyone tried this stuff?

Edited July 6, 2004 by Verjuice (log)

[Rick Cook]

Old Rasputin is a great beer fresh, and even better with some age on it. Following are some tasting notes on a '97 I drank a few months ago:

Small but firm mocha head.  Black in color, but showing dark brown glints around the edges in direct light.  Rich, roasty, malty nose, with a slight vinous character.

Thick, creamy mouthfeel.  Rasputin is very full bodied.  It starts soft and round, rolling around on the tongue, then develops a creaminess toward the finish.  The malt has a sweet dark chocolate flavor at first, but the hops assert themselves quickly, making it more bittersweet like bakers chocolate.  The vinous character that was only slightly evident in the nose is much more noticeable, swimming though it is in the deep, rich chocolate malt.  As I drink the Old Rasputin – and it’s going quickly – black plum begins to emerge.  Roasty coffee and cream in the long finish, with a mélange of chocolate sweetness and coffee crème bitterness lingering long afterward.  Interesting how Old Rasputin has taken on the character of a white Russian.

If you like stouts and haven't yet tried North Coast's Old #38, you might pick that one up as well.

Rick

[rabidscottsman]

Old Rasputin is a excellent stout, I truly enjoyed it. I even like the artwork on the bottle. It has a nice kick to it at 8.9% alcohol. I would recomend it