And, just today, Les Trois Mousquetaires dropped the second version of their stellar Déjeuner Impérial, a bourbon-barrel aged imperial stout with coffee and maple staves. Version one came in 375ml bottles and was brewery only, at 1 bottle per person (if memory serves) and launched at last year's Double IPA Day.
This time, however, it comes in a 750 (because nothing says winter like an 11.5% 750) and drops at 2pp at the brewery with store drops pending.This delightful brew pours a black base with a medium tan head. The head is audible and dissipates quickly portending a sharper carbonation than I usually appreciate in the style.
Aromatically, I am enticed by maple coffee, with traces of wet wood and bourbon vanilla underneath.
In the mouth, all of the different aspects get their moment to shine. It starts with a sweet maple forward introduction before transitioning, first, to a warming bourbon heat and finishing with a drier coffee bitterness (when the warmth transitions from tongue to chest). Though sweet overall, this beer brings a balance of flavours that provide a complementarity rarely rivaled.
As expected, it is a bit more boldly carbonated than I usually appreciate, yet something about that works extremely well here. Though the sharp carbonation lifts the weight some giving a more apparent thinness, it also seems to work with the bourbon heat making for a lively mouthfeel that seems to help round out the noted flavour balance.
Wait, the 11.5% must have gotten to me, what am I saying?! I mean... uh... you won't like this. Send me your allocation for proper disposal. I promise it will be adequately handled.
Grade: A
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