Aardwolf Zardoz
Aardwolf Zardoz is a Russian Imperial Stout conditioned on French Oak spirals, 10.1% ABV. The pour is from a 32 ounce growler delivered fresh from Jacksonville thanks to BDR friend Brian.
The pour is black color with some caramel brown around the edges. The head is less than stellar, possible due to it’s journey up I 95, but also not too uncommon for the style. The French Oak really dominates the aroma, roasted malts and a hint of alcohol are there, but the oak is huge. The taste is on the sweet side to start with flavors of chocolate, refined sugar, raisins, figs and plums. A quick shift brings more typical Russian Imperial stout qualities of slightly burnt roasted malts and a sting of alcohol. Next a little hop bitterness brings you back around to a dry oak finish recalling the aroma.
Enjoyable right from the start, but I’m finding myself really getting into this after a few sips. The French Oak is adding a lot of good things to this Russian Imperial.
