A couple of Imperial stouts I picked up when I was in Waterloo and I felt it would be great for a side by side tasting. Both of these stouts were aged in Tennessee Whiskey Barrels, the first for 2 years and the second for 3. Let's get stuck in...
Beer # 456 Until Proven Guilty 2015 Russian Imperial StoutBrewery: Innocente Brewing Company
Type: Independent Microbrewery Est.: 2014
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Beer Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Tennessee Whiskey Barrels
ABV: 11.9% IBU: ?
Format: Bottle Size: 500 ml
Cost: $11.95 CAD Purchased At: The Brewery
Pours a super dark chestnut, almost black with a very dark tan head made up of small bubbles. Nose is creamy with hints of aged cheese. Large spike of alcohol smell with a warm note of whiskey wood and old leather. First sip is very dry wood with lots of smoky leather. It is a deep contemplative sipper, complex, warming, dusty and earthy. Takes a long time to open up. Hints of meatiness, smoky sausage, umami. Aeration brings out more woodiness, soy sauce and Worcestershire.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer # 457 Until Proven Guilty 2014 Russian Imperial Stout
What a difference a year makes.
The colour is the same, but the head is thinner. The nose is rich chocolate brandy and whiskey. Overwhelming, barrel influence, some corn, malt, molasses, and an almost medicinal nose. First sip is dry earthy and whiskey with hints of wood, fig and prune Taste is more closed than it's younger brother while the nose is wildly exciting. Some cooked and off notes with hints of oxidation. Aeration is hard, alcohol is very high but brings out a winey, grapey flavour with hints of caramel and tawny port.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Cheers
CJT
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Pours a super dark chestnut, almost black with a very dark tan head made up of small bubbles. Nose is creamy with hints of aged cheese. Large spike of alcohol smell with a warm note of whiskey wood and old leather. First sip is very dry wood with lots of smoky leather. It is a deep contemplative sipper, complex, warming, dusty and earthy. Takes a long time to open up. Hints of meatiness, smoky sausage, umami. Aeration brings out more woodiness, soy sauce and Worcestershire.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer Style: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 6/6 EXCEPTIONAL
Beer # 457 Until Proven Guilty 2014 Russian Imperial Stout
Beer Style: Imperial Stout Aged in Tennessee Whiskey Barrels
ABV: 11.9% IBU: ?
Format: Bottle Size: 500 ml
Cost: $12.95 CAD Purchased At: The Brewery
What a difference a year makes.
The colour is the same, but the head is thinner. The nose is rich chocolate brandy and whiskey. Overwhelming, barrel influence, some corn, malt, molasses, and an almost medicinal nose. First sip is dry earthy and whiskey with hints of wood, fig and prune Taste is more closed than it's younger brother while the nose is wildly exciting. Some cooked and off notes with hints of oxidation. Aeration is hard, alcohol is very high but brings out a winey, grapey flavour with hints of caramel and tawny port.
Impressions: Fail, So-so, Pass, Exceptional
Cost: 5/6 PASS
Colour: 5/6 PASS
Beer Style: 5/6 PASS
Re-Order: 5/6 PASS
Experience: 5/6 PASS
Final Thoughts
Both are Excellent beers. The 2015 just edges out the 2014 in my opinion. I'm not sure if the extra year in wood oxidised the beer or what but there was just a certain something off about it. The aroma is fantastic but the body of the beer is just off somehow. Both are worth trying if there is any of the dwindling supply left.Cheers
CJT
Let's Stay "Social" Follow my adventures here
@pintjockeyThe Pintjockey Online
pintjockey
And don't forget to "Friend" me on Untappd.
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