Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout - North Coast Brewing Co.

JamesMN

Minnesota

4.31/5  rDev 0%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: Black as night with a nice pillowy two finger tan head.

Aroma: Cocoa and dark roasted malts with a touch of cream. Very clean and somewhat straightforward.

Taste: Charred malts, semi-sweet cocoa, light coffee, and an overall rich roasted malt flavor that engulfs the palate. The flavor gets more intense from the beginning of each sip until the end and leaves a lasting bitter burnt malt flavor in the finish. Exactly what I'm looking for in this style. Just a hint of grassy hops but not much bitterness from that department as far as I can tell. I'd file this one under the more coffee/chocolate flavor profile with very little in terms of dried fruits and currant flavor one gets in other Russian Imperial Stouts. Some hints of caramel and amber malts right before the finish and the flavor develops more as it warms. As far as alcohol goes, the modest 9% ABV doesn't appear until about halfway through the glass when it gives a slight warming in the back of the throat. The roasted malt bitterness is also subdued as the temperature goes up. An almost bourbon-like quality emerges as well. The whole flavor profile starts simple and then gets increasingly complex and smooth. Masterfully done.

Mouthfeel: Medium to slightly below medium in body (a tad light for the style). I gave this one an aggressive pour knowing that a common complaint is that it has a lot of effervescence. That being said the carbonation was still very evident but just at the threshold of not being overly done. Decently smooth and more so as it warmed. Easy drinking.

Final Thoughts: For the price (<$9.00 a four-pack) it's a phenomenal deal. I might pick a couple more bottles up to cellar. Wish they would sell a barrel-aged version. Would I drink it again? Yes.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 03:30:15 | More by JamesMN

jtladner

District of Columbia

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-22-2013 00:30:17 | More by jtladner

VirginiaJeff1

Virginia

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 19:27:50 | More by VirginiaJeff1

Busker

Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-21-2013 18:03:20 | More by Busker

PlinyBeMiney

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 07:57:07 | More by PlinyBeMiney

CosmoHopHead

Kansas

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 04:48:41 | More by CosmoHopHead

mxchap

California

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 03:55:19 | More by mxchap

BraveGator

Georgia

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-21-2013 02:19:00 | More by BraveGator

pottergator

New York

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-20-2013 23:52:53 | More by pottergator

ericwa1154

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-20-2013 21:56:12 | More by ericwa1154

tipfortap

New York

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-20-2013 17:15:01 | More by tipfortap

Kmat10

Alberta (Canada)

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-20-2013 03:56:44 | More by Kmat10

PlayitAgain

New York

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-20-2013 03:02:55 | More by PlayitAgain

eyeenjoybeer

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-20-2013 02:11:26 | More by eyeenjoybeer

Flounder57

Massachusetts

4.19/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

12 oz bottle was poured into a snifter.

Appearance: This beer poured a one finger mocha head that reduced to a thin layer. It is a pitch black color with no clarity or bubbled seen coming up the glass. Nice lacing on the glass as the beer was drank.

Smell: Roasted coffee, mocha, smoke, sweet malts, a little booze, and molasses. Pretty standard RIS aroma.

Taste: Same as above with lingering bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, full bodied, low carbonation, and a little boozy.

Overall: Pretty solid RIS. Enjoyed in the past, now, and more in the future.

Serving type: bottle

05-20-2013 02:08:29 | More by Flounder57

Ctrauty

Minnesota

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-20-2013 01:35:48 | More by Ctrauty

mmilyko

Nevada

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-20-2013 01:32:24 | More by mmilyko

NJB145

Michigan

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-20-2013 00:56:09 | More by NJB145

crobinso

Colorado

4/5  rDev -7.2%

05-19-2013 22:31:11 | More by crobinso

bcuz7

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-19-2013 21:22:06 | More by bcuz7

MJSJr

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%

05-19-2013 17:27:11 | More by MJSJr

ShawnMH

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-19-2013 15:26:09 | More by ShawnMH

Benny3000

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev -13%

05-19-2013 14:20:28 | More by Benny3000

nick_asian

Nevada

4.25/5  rDev -1.4%

05-19-2013 07:21:58 | More by nick_asian

c014572

Illinois

4.75/5  rDev +10.2%

05-19-2013 04:34:11 | More by c014572