Mexicake

Much-acclaimed "Mexican style" imperial stout by this Scottish craft brewer, clearly inspired by the success of Westbrook's Mexican Cake but fitting in a bit older tradition of spicing up imperial stouts with the Aztec-themed combination of cocoa and chili peppers. At Beerlovers Bar in Antwerp. Creamy, pale yellowish beige, thick, lacing head, black colour with mahogany edges. Aroma of burnt toast, melting bitter chocolate, dried chili peppers piercing through indeed, raw cinnamon, way less vanilla but still noticeable, Cuban cigars, nutmeg, leather, wodka, black peppercorns. Dried fruit sweetishness in the onset, dried figs, raisins, light cured meat-like umami touch, sourish accent, medium carbonation, thick and supple, oily mouthfeel. Nutty, very toffeeish malt body, shifting to bitter black chocolate on its way to the finish - which is of course accentuated by the actual added cocoa. The chili pepper burn is there but doesn't become harshly burning; peppery gin-like alcohol too. Cinnamon shows up retronasally, but as in the nose, the vanilla remains understated. Too understated for me, but that is a matter of personal preference of course; could, however, do with a bit more viscosity and perhaps a dash more sweetness in the onset. Great stout, for sure, but not quite at the level of Westbrook's Mexican Cake (let alone Cigar City's Hunahpu's, to name the most famous one in this specific segment).

Bottle @ Boxbeers. Pours Black with a creamy beige head. Good Roast, slight peppery. Coffee, charcoal and chocolate. Very soft with a Roasted bitter finish.

Bottle sample at a tasting at troubles’ place. Thanks Stas. Black with some tan foam. Vanilla, cinnamon, roast, dark fruits, a bit of chocolate, sweet, alcohol, a bit of hot chili.