Pay attention, because I’m “coming out of the closet” in a beer fanatic sort of way.  I’m not talking about my sexuality, but my brewality.  I just might be an anomaly in the world of beer geeks:  I am not a huge fan of bourbon aged beers.   I like bourbon.  I like beer.  But mixed, I often find the flavor unpalatable.  Kentucky Bourbon Barrel ale was a sink worthy beer for me.  That being said, I so enjoy trying different varieties and take on this style, even if the style isn’t my favorite because 1) not all bourbon aged brews are the same, and 2) taste and preference is far from a static quality.

So this weeks Sip With Us Saturday brew(s)–any bourbon aged beers–were up against one harsh critic since I wasn’t drooling over the bottle before the cork was popped, unlike other styles.   I decided to sample two varieties.  The first was Old Rasputin XII by North Coast Brewing Company and the second was Kentucky Breakfast Stout by Founders Brewing Company.  I chose these two bourbon aged imperial stouts because they are both 11.2% ABV, and thought that would make for an interesting comparison.

The Pours:

In how many different ways can one dote over the pour of an imperial stout?  Sometimes overdoing it just lambastes the beauty to death.  That being said:

Old Rasputin XII:  Pours like an imperial stout.  Black, viscous, and with a mocha head that leaves behind a ton of lacing.

Kentucky Breakfast Stout: Much like the Old Rasputin, the KBS touts a thick mocha head. However, KBS is not as black and sports more brown and red tints and is noticeably thicker.

The Aroma:

Here’s where the stories of these two brews begins to diverge.

Old Rasputin XII: This does not smell like your typical stout.  It smells like bourbon.  Yes, there are beer aromas, but I thought the bourbon was the dominant aroma.  Pushing past the good old whiskey, there is a strong vanilla essence a bit of chocolate.  There is a bitter grain aroma, but not much going on in the area of hops.  There is a smell of booze, and this peculiar aroma stemming from the oak that reminds me of a forest and is a bit damp/mossy.

Kentucky Breakfast Stout: Unlike the Old Rasputin XII, KBS does not greet your nose with Bourbon aromas.  No, this beer’s up front emanation is coffee.  But it doesn’t smell like a fresh pot of brew; rather, it smells like a fresh opened container of un-ground whole roasted coffee beans.  It is intoxicating to the senses.  Beyond this, bourbon is present as well as sweet vanilla and caramel candy notes, a bit of a phenolic aroma, some mild plum notes and a bit of oak.  I have to point out…this is not a Founders’ Breakfast Stout aged in bourbon barrels, it is a different recipe entirely.

The Taste:

Old Rasputin XII: Surprisingly to me, XII touts a ton of bourbon up front.  Perhaps this beer varies year to year, but I was expecting a big sweet stout with subdued whiskey flavors.  On the contrary, a raw bourbon oakiness seemed to initially mask all other qualities.  Once the other flavors appeared, I could not shake the bourbon.  In fact, it tasted like bourbon was poured into the beer rather than absorbed via the barrel.  The beer was thinner in body than expected, and the malt qualities (caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, toast, and a myriad of fruit flavors) were sprinkled in the experience.  The finish was a smooth and provided the only glimpse into the hop make up, that presented itself as a mildly tingly bitterness.

Kentucky Breakfast Stout: Sweet coffee.  As KBS hit my tongue, there was a bitter confrontation of rich dark coffe, balanced by a complex sweet caramel and chocolate sugary maltyness.  While the recollection of a cafe americano was in mind, as sublty complex oaky bourbon slyly snuck in.  If I had never tasted bourbon, while knowing a foreign flavor was in my mouth, would not be able to pin point it as another liquor.  The KBS is much thicker, and bombards the mouth with a ton of flavor.  There was a spiciness that reminded me of my grandma’s rhubarb pie.  I found myself wholeheartedly enjoying the beer.  The booze was delightfully hidden.

Overall Thoughts:

Both beers are great, but–while I didn’t set out to declare a winner–the Kentucky Breakfast Stout is superior in my book.  While the XII was a gift, I know that it cost substantially more than the KBS, and I doubt I’d buy it again.  But I will seek out some Kentucky Breakfast Stout in years to come.

Nate’s Rating:

Old Rasputin…

Overall Satisfaction:  

Among other Imperial Bourbon Stouts:  

Kentucky Breakfast Stout…

Overall Satisfaction:  

Among other Imperial Bourbon Stouts:  

And the question remains, if you have the experience, which do you prefer?

Be sure to check out Mike’s Sip With Us Saturday Review and the Beer and Whiskey Bros