Stone Brewing Company Imperial Russian Stout

Fantastic bottle of beer, and absolutely worth enjoying or holding longer, whichever. Tremendous depth and balance, unobtrusive carbonation, and the 11% alcohol is almost (almost) invisible. Thick, rich, chocolatey head. A convincing case for buying a case and drinking slowly over many years.

Aged lovely. Hops mellowed, but only to subduct and guts to the malt and mouth. Fat stout cake.

Purchased July 2014. 11% alcohol. Very deep and dark blackish-brown with a thin, modest gray-ish head. Somewhat weird and slightly aged nose of velvet, old furniture, some dusty tones, a little bit of roasted malt, light oxidative notes of green apple slices, a hint of waffle and a touch of milk chocolate. The beer is full-bodied but also somewhat coarse and relatively light in its taste. Flavors of roasted malts, some allspice, a little bit of herbal bitterness, light hoppy …

Dense, oily, opaque pitch-black appearance. Very thick, persistent and creamy head that just doesn't dissipate. Very aromatic, even somewhat meaty nose with aromas of toasted malt, sweet and salty licorice, blood pudding, some lactic sweetness, light aroma hop citrus notes, a hint of smoke and a touch of sourdough rye bread. On the palate the beer is tremendously intense, concentrated and full-bodied with powerful, chewy flavors of sweet licorice, milk chocolate, roasted malts, some dark syrup, a little sweetbread and …

Awesome, with great aging potential. Will try to wait 6 months before opening the second of my three bottles. Storing in the wine cellar.