Cigar City Hunahpu's Imperial Stout - Rum Barrel Aged

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 10 | Mouthfeel: 10 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Rated in 2012. Big thanks to Dak for this one. Pours deep darkness with hints of the classic Hunahpu infra red edges, but not actually getting there as some of the very early test treatments of Hunahpu did, mocha head and fully dark staining sheets along the inner edges of the glassware. The aroma is boozy rum and sweet coconut followed by boozy heat that rolls right into dark chocolate and highly roasted maltiness. The taste is straight up yum with velvety smooth dark chocolate, rich dark roasted maltiness and moving into sweet smooth rum, vanilla and coconut. To midway yummy capsaicin chili pepper mildly warms the palate. Darn, velvety dark chocolate, sweet smooth rum and pepper chili heat all playing well together and snugging up to some sweet coconut. The barrel time is ‘money’ for my taste and the rum only adds to the experience with increased smoothness and allows the amazing base beer shine. (Ok, up on soap box) After tasting this level of balance and harmony you realize how often this is executed so poorly at just about all breweries I can think of including this one. Once in a while a barrel treatment nails it on the head and the result is pure palate pleasing poetry. But it seems lots of barrel aged beers cover up base beer elements or entirely wipe them all out. Take note this is how you gracefully barrel age a beer.