dark horizons

So August is behind us, as is summer vacation, and the temperatures have changed overnight.  Almost literally, one day it was almost 100º and the next day is was 75º.  I'm not complaining.  Now stouts are even easier to enjoy!  A Russian stout might be just the ticket, Zatmenie Cocoa Milk Imperial Stout from Bakunin, for example.  I don't know if it will live up to La Quince or St. Peter's, but it sounds like a good bet.

There's a nice chocolate smell, and a little something else, something almost woody.  My bottle is extra bubbly; maybe I should have let it sit a little more in the fridge.  It feels very creamy pouring out, although again it's a little too foamy at first.  It's perfectly black, no transparency (should I make a joke?).  First there's a strong bitter, very stouty, and then a little sweetness floats up and nibbles at your tongue.  It's sweet enough to be sour, and the aftertaste is more sour than anything else.  There's also a little bit of smoke wrapped around the overall flavor, giving it a tough and outdoorsy feel as well.  It's quite strong, although it doesn't pack the obvious punch of barrel aged stouts, still it doesn't take long for cheeks to get rosy.  It remains a smooth drink, gaining in chocolate perhaps.  It almost brings me back to nights of temperatures uncomfortably high, what with all the excitation of blood, but it's a damn fine stout.  A little delicate alone, something salty could bring out even more flavor, or a nice chocolate cake or something similar could complement it very nicely.

Supplier: Heneket
Price: €5.35