Let me start off by saying WOW! As in probably the best stout I have ever had and quite possibly the best stout on the market today. Deschutes Abyss is an imperial stout aged in oak barrels for a period of time and because of this, this beer is packed with flavor and flavor and even more complex flavor, this beer is craftsmanship at its very best. Bottled at 11 % abv, The Abyss is smooth and clean with hardly any trace of the high alcohol. This 22 oz offering from Deschutes brewery out of Bend,Oregon is part of their reserve series which include great beers such as The Dissident, Mirror Mirror, and The Black Butte XX and XXI; all these beers are seasonal and some like The Dissident are only brewed every 2 years, making these brews rare and great items to buy and age in your cellar for a couple more years. Furthermore, The Abyss is meant to be shared with other beer aficionados because one bottle of this on your own will land you on your ass. In addition to sharing its also important to use the proper glassware for this beer and the proper serving. My prefrence for this beer is a snifter glass, but this beer can also be enjoyed out of a 16 oz pint glass according to Deschutes. Finally, this beer is great when paired with dessert dishes, a great companion to any pastry with red fruit in it. Also this beer can be paired with plenty of stinky cheeses and heavily spiced pasta dishes.
Color: Dark brown to almost a solid black. A dime thin tan head that leaves behind some medium lacing. This beer also has a good amount of carbonation.
Nose: A plethora of smells attack the nose. Charred wood and sweet vanilla penetrate first followed by a mild scent of Bourbon. Maple syrup is also present and it is balanced well with the robust black coffee in this beer.
Palate: Full bodied beer with a robust presence. A big beer with plenty texture and complex flavor. Molasses makes an appearance as does licorice(black). the alcohol is well masked in this beer making this beer very drinkable.
Finish: Long and bold. It finishes with waves of different flavors. bourbon first followed by molasses and coffee, and then the vanilla soothes everything making this beer epic and majestic.
Rating: 96 out of 100
side note: buy 2 drink one now and age the other and drink a year from now, should get better
No comments:
Post a Comment