RX Strength Imperial Stout - Country Boy Brewing

KYGunner

Kentucky

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Barrel aged in Pappy Barrels, this Imperial Stout is the best offering I've had from Country Boy!

Poured in 10 ounce servings for a measly $4, this poured deep black but with a beautiful radiance. The head was stiff and fleeting.

The scent was smooth and aromatic with notes of smoky bourbon, vanilla and coconut.

The taste followed the nose but with much stronger overtones. The bourbon was at the forefront but not overpowering. The best part of bourbon was showcased here with smoky wood flavor present. Vanilla and coconut come out near the finish but chocolatey sweetness then takes over.

I am very impressed with this for its complexities but also for its just plain tastiness.

Serving type: on-tap

02-09-2013 15:26:23 | More by KYGunner

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev -0.5%

03-18-2013 22:40:17 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

BEERchitect

Kentucky

4.09/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Country Boy Brew's close approximation to the very best bourbon makers in the world garners them to earn the most coveted of barrels for housing their larger-than-like ales. So, how about a Russian Imperial Stout to hibernate in freshly emptied Pappy Van Winkle barrels for nearly a year? This has been pulling at my taste buds every since I heard of its conception!

Jet black and absolute opaqueness gives the beer an ominous pour. As its dainty espresso-like creme forms on its surface, I'm reminded more of the 30-weight beer that lies beneath. With each sip, the beer begins to favor brandy-like legging as its blackness stains the glass over that of conventional lace, retention, or foam generation. This is a cordial for sure!

Strong roast and oak notes waft over the nose and bring with it waves of cocoa, walnuts, charred breads, burnt wood, scorched toffee, vanilla, cream, coconut, peppercorn and esters of cherries and concord grapes as the strong bourbon alcohols tingle the olfactory senses.

Roasted barley commands the beer's taste and keeps the "stout" flavors front and center. Backed by burnt toffee, caramel, brown sugar, and molasses, the roasted taste of espresso, cocoa, and walnut are supported by just enough malty sweetness to prevent ash flavors from distracting the taste buds. And then come the barrel influences which start out with fresh oak, and then reign in the coconut, additional bourbon-infused caramel, dry sherry wine, peppery wood tannin. As the alcohol flavors rise, so do the taste of charred fruit- raspberry, cherry, grape, and figs hint toward red wine and cherry just before the beer dries its taste and steers toward its finish.

Full bodied and leaning weightily on the palate, the beer's bigness is slow to dissolve. It saturates the palate fully before slowly fading into a moderately acidic, mildly astringent pre-finish. Alcohol warmth, roasty dryness and powdery oak textures linger indefinite on the palate and beg for the next savory sip.

Rx Strength is the hallmark of Country Boy's first birthday. It signifies the boldness of the brewery, the experimental nature of their brewery, and the regional taste of bourbon. It does so with class, boldness, and a little bit of ruggedness.

Serving type: on-tap

03-05-2013 05:22:26 | More by BEERchitect

ortie

Kentucky

3.75/5  rDev -12.2%

02-11-2013 03:09:51 | More by ortie

Magery

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

02-11-2013 02:14:27 | More by Magery

mabmab67

Kentucky

4.5/5  rDev +5.4%

02-10-2013 07:00:25 | More by mabmab67

weonfire

Kentucky

4.4/5  rDev +3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I had the pleasure of having this on tap at the Country Boy brewery in a 6 oz sample glass.

A - jet black. zero head.

S - Chocolate, vanilla, dried fruit -possibly plum and dates.

T - Very good. Love the chocolate. up front Pappy 23 does no wrong. Very sweet. 12 ABVs hidden extraordinarily. Vanilla, carmel, dates, figs all dance on the tongue.

M - Viscosity high. covers all surface areas nicely. A bit thinner then i have had in similar brews.

O - Country Boy's best brew yet. Not quite in the BCBS and Black Note category yet. An excellent brew regardless. Kentucky, well done.

Serving type: on-tap

02-10-2013 00:35:12 | More by weonfire