Old Rasputin XII

Appearance - 5.0

Pours a creamy tan head with nice retention. Gobs of creaminess stick to the side of the glass as the head falls. The beer is an dark opaque blackness.

Aroma - 4.5

Upon the first whiff the whiskey aroma fills the nose. After the initial waft vanilla and oak notes are apparent. In the background soft chocolate and coffee aromas struggle to the forefront.

Mouthfeel - 4.5

Smooth and creamy and full in body. Low-medium carbonation.

Taste - 4.0

The whiskey flavor is strong in this one and carries on throughout the taste. The vanilla and oak from the aroma make an appearance, although the chocolate and coffee flavors are mostly lost to the whiskey. Very soft chocolate notes show up near the finish, but that's about it.

Overall - 4.0

Even with a couple years of age on this beer, it still has a strong whiskey flavor. If you are a fan of spirited-forward beers, this one is for you. I enjoyed it, but wished the whiskey would side step and allow more of the chocolate and coffee flavors to showcase themselves.