Odell Brewing Company Jolly Russian
What the brewers say
“Jolly Russian is a rich Russian imperial stout stowed away in rum barrels for aging. Dark as night and thick as the raging sea, this brew boasts notes of coffee and cocoa with waves of oak, spiced molasses, dried fruit, and vanilla from the planks.”
What our panel thought
Aroma: “Rich roast and chocolate up front, with a light smokiness and a touch of malt sweetness. There’s a light dark- fruit/date note, with cherry, dark fig, and vanilla. The sugar sweetness and smoke reminds me of candied bacon.”
Flavor: “Chocolate and roast add complexity up front, with a light alcohol warming toward the finish. Notes of rum, but also a note of tequila. The oak quality of the barrel is evident. Flashes of cocoa and vanilla weave through dark fruits of fig, plum, prune, and raisin. Intense flavors, but no single flavor dominated.”
Overall: “This beer is hot and boozy, with a rum presence that’s really just complexity and heat. Could use some aging to let the alcohol mellow out and the flavors shine through. A beautifully rich and complex beer that takes a minute to wrap your head around, but once you’re into it, you don’t want to leave.”
