Top fermented beer which is subjected to a secondary fermentation in bottle. It is deep dark ebony in color with a cappuccino head. The nose has aromas of chocolate, licorice, coffee grounds and tobacco with alcohol nuances. Its full bodied, long lasting, smooth and dry mouth is followed by a surprisingly hot finish that breaks its initial fullness and makes you crave more!
It is suitable for aging. Its uniqueness lays in the use of chili pepper which combines very well with the beer’s chocolate aroma. The hot finish also lightens its full bodied mouth by awakening the palate. Verdi Imperial Stout is the first Italian craft beer to have ever been crowned with a gold medal in its category at an International beer contest. In 2008 it ranked first at The European Beer Star in the Imperial Stout category. (Description provided by company)
Comments
Expensive RIS that is worth the money
I bought my bottle for $10 at the local liquor dealer. It is the most I've ever spent on a single bottle of beer, so far. Was it worth it?
Verdi Imperial Stout is brewed with hot chilies - which shows up in an overall zing on the palate, an accent to the chocolate tones, and on the finish (instead of a hit of alcohol one might expect on the finish of a boozy RIS). This is as complex as Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout, but where Old Rasp's alcohol and licorice were devilishly aggressive, Verdi is more whips and satin gloves with dark fruits smoothing out the flavor without simplifying it.
Verdi's stout poured out a blackhole of a beer that created a three-finger brownish-orange head. The only complaint I have in this whole review is my disappointment that the head disappeared a bit quick and there wasn't any lacing left on the glass at all. Each sniff and each sip highlighted different notes. Overall, when I smell the stout, I get mostly coffee, chocolate, and dark fruits such as cherries, with a bit of brandy and spice in the background. When drinking, the flavors of coffee and chocolate are the primary ones, but are joined by chilies, plums, and alcohol. The chillies also provide a bite on the finish. About 3/4 of the way though my glass, my tongue started to feel the impact of the peppers. It was as if I was 3/4 though a package of Red Hots candies; not that I think that is bad, but worth noting for those who would be bothered by this. The weight of the Verdi stout's body and the spiciness of the chilies attack the tongue and whip it into submission.
This is a beer that demands your attention. A beer that you drink slowly and with an explorer's mentality. If you can spare the money to buy one, it will greatly enrich your appreciation on what beer can be.