One of my pick ups from my trip to San Diego was Sierra Nevada’s Narwhal Russian Imperial Stout. (Yeah, I know they are not a San Diego brewery, but you get while the gettings good). I actually had never had it before – one of the reasons I picked it up – but if it is from Sierra Nevada, it should be pretty damned good, I thought.

I opened it up the other evening while in the mood for something substantial but not hoppy (too many Stone beer at the launch party the other night).

It pours, as expected, deep inky black with a thin but consistent dark tan head. I pick up some medium roast coffee, dark chocolate and a soft alcohol warming in the aroma. I detect hints of molasses and brown sugar as well.

There are lots of chocolate and coffee upfront, as well as some licorice and chocolate syrup in the initial taste. Molasses lingers in the background to add complexity. I also get distinct dried fruit tones at the back. It has a medium body – less than I expected – and the beer tends to dry out as it goes back. The finish is slightly roast-y with a raisin accent. The alcohol (10.2%) is present but not too hot or intense. Just enough to make sure you know it is there.

This is a rich, fruity, complex RIS. Most of the elements I am looking for are there, but somehow it doesn’t come together in a way I hoped it would. The flavours don’t seem to blend enough – it is like they aren’t playing in unison yet. While the flavours are attractive, the beer lacks that rounded completeness I am looking for in a RIS. In particular the molasses seems too pronounced, which interferes with other flavours.

In hindsight I am wondering if I should have waited another six months before opening it, giving the beer time to mellow and its characteristics to find a common note. Alas, I only bought one bottle, so I will now never know. Such is life.