Odessa

Since learning earlier in the week that Otley would be launching a new beer it became priority no.1 to taste it. Odessa is an Imperial Russian Stout that has been aged for 9 months in Welsh whisky casks, and weighs in at a hefty 7.4%



Photo - Paul Evans



When poured it is like liquid chocolate, and when settled it has the darkest body i've ever come across in a beer. We held it up to the light and it was as dense as quark-gluon plasma. The head is deliciously creamy and cofee coloured.



Photo - Paul Evans

There is a slight whisky/bourbon aroma which warms the nostrils.  There is a mild coffee and chocolate aroma but nothing overpowering, in truth it is slightly muted. However, this completely changes when it hits the taste buds, and burst into life.

Photo - Paul Evans

Odessa has a soft, creaminess with a lovely warming sensation. It is sweet at first, which leads into satisfying coffee and luxurious dark chocolate flavours.  This is a beer to be supped slowly, to savour the warming spiciness of the ginger and whisky that comes after each sip, and lingers to leave a deep glowing happiness inside.

This is a very special beer.

Appearance: 10
Aroma: 7
Taste: 9

Overall: 26/30