Brouwerij de Molen Rasputin – Russian Imperial Stout at 10.4% ABV | 46 EBU (C$6.79 at Okotoks Co-Op, 330 ml, packaged on 15-Mar-2012, best before 15-Mar-2037, acquired 24-Jul-2014, reviewed 12-Apr-2020)
Appearance: slightly hazy ruby brown with a short loose loose beige head diminishing rapidly to a thin ring, no lacing. (3/5) Aroma: roasty malts, chocolate, dark fruits, leather, tobacco. (9/10) Taste: moderate-high sweet, moderate bitter. (9/10) Palate: medium slightly slick body, low carbonation, slightly sticky mild bitter warming finish. (4/5)
Known in the US as “Cease & Desist” or “Moord & Doodslag” – which means “Murder & Manslaughter”, so perhaps that’s intended less as a direct translation and more as a commentary on lawyers… For what it’s worth, I’ve also had the North Coast basis for the dispute, but it was six years ago, so I have to rely on old notes for comparison. On that basis, they’re pretty similar, except this is much less bitter. This has also aged extremely well, except perhaps for a negative effect on its head development. It’s now extremely smooth and drinkable for such a high ABV, so on that basis it’s actually a bit better than its eponym. (17/20)
8.5/10 #ryansbooze ryansbooze.com
