Hunahpu's Imperial Stout
Drank from a 1 pint 9.4 fl.oz. bottle 2010 vintage Served in a snifter Acquired in a trade with Gonzoillini Never before have I seen a beer pour so dark and thick. It literally looked like used motor oil. The liquid was so viscous that it left a sticky yellow film on the glass. A thin, short lived wisp of mahogany colored froth capped the beer. The aroma was fantastic. Super intense with strong raisin and port notes. Some bourbon too. Semi-sweet and moderately boozy. Brown sugar also came through strong. Lots of oak and char as well. The flavor profile was just as extreme as the aroma. Super roasty with a huge malt profile up front. Port wine notes and a strong raisiny quality were also apparent. Moch-like flavors were quite prevalent. Some brown sugar too, and a bit of vanilla. The finish contained notes of smoke and a touch of earthy hops. The hops turned more citrusy and bitter as the beer warmed. There was also an indication of heat in the flavor profile, but I could not tell if this was from the cinnamon, the ancho chiles or the booze. The mouthfeel was simply outstanding. Outrageously thick, creamy and viscous with a finely bubbled, moderate effervescence. I felt like I was drinking a milkshake. This was by far the most robust body I have ever encountered in a beer. Hunaphu's is a fantastic beer that really pushes the limits of what a beer can be. My only complaint is that the cacao nibs, the chiles, the cinnamon and the vanilla were barely (or in some cases, not at all) detectible. Perhaps I need to sample a fresh bottle to discover all these nuances.