English: A bottle of Old Rasputin XII from North Coast Brewing Company in Fort Bragg, California, at Novare Res Bier Cafe in Portland, Maine.

Old Rasputin XII is the bourbon barrel-aged version of the ordinary Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, it was made for the twelfth anniversary of the brewery (founded in 1998, so you do the math).

At 11.2% abv it poured oily thick and pitch black into my glass, with a dark brown head. The aroma was extremely complex and rich. The bourbon was there, but well balanced with the roasted malts, licorice and dark chocolate. Mouthfeel was velvety smooth, from a creamy carbonation. Flavor started out with the bourbon up front, then roasted malts, licorice, vanilla and dark chocolate. The bitter note becomes stronger and remains in the long bittersweet finish. Wow! What a great anniversary beer. Absolutely world class!