Czar Jack Imperial Stout
Poured from a growler into a half-pint glass. A: Opaque black color with over one finger of light brown foam head. Heavy lacing remains on the glass. S: Earthy roast is savory with mild spirituous whiskey notes. Despite the presence of the spirit, it is without the urgency of actual ethanol. T: Begins off-dry, with refined roasted malt that is soft and definitely not scorched. Dark fruit and maple syrup are light but accessible, while whiskey is understated. Sweetness surges in the middle, showing brown sugar as the biggest flavor quality present. Musty oak is also well developed into the finish, with a resurgence of spirit that balances the bitter roast. M: Medium to thick viscosity, smooth and slightly syrupy on the palate, with moderate carbonation. D/O: This barrel-aged stout is far from the most extreme examples of the style and treatment, with a fairly balanced profile that leans most toward sweetness in the middle. Oak and spirit make their contributions, but do not define the product. It is drinkable, treating the palate gently for an imperial stout. Czar Jack is probably more versatile than the typical barrel-aged strong stout, but on the flip side it lacks (or, does not suffer from) extremeness.