Munster, Indiana - Russian Imperial Stout - 15.00% ABV - This huge RIS poured a thick, syrupy black color with a small brown head that leaves sticky lacing on the glass. The nose is a bit muted, but it featured aromas of bitter malts, sweet molasses, and caramel, with a slight boozy undertone. The mouth was solid, but perhaps a bit too sweet; flavors of milk chocolate, roasted figs, fresh coffee, fudge brownies, and caramel malts create a sugar blasted taste. The Dark Lord has a thick bodied mouthfeel, probably the thickest I've had on a Russian Imperial Stout, with a creamy, sweet finish that keeps the high ABV hidden. This beer was a great representation of a Russian Imperial Stout, but it may be a tad bit overhyped. Cheers! 93/100

Redlands, California - BA Russian Imperial Stout - 13.80% ABV - This huge beer poured an opaque black color with a small layer of khaki colored foam. The nose featured intense aromas of bourbon, oak, and chocolate that are big up front, with a back end filled with herbs and bitterness. The mouth was solid; flavors of oak, vanilla, cocoa nibs, burnt coffee, and bitter malts create a big taste that's perfect for sipping. Pugachev's Cobra has a heavy bodied mouthfeel, with a silky, smooth, and boozy finish. I cracked this bad boy up for my buddy, @theherbalchef, for his birthday. I love you, man! 9.3/10

Petaluma, California - Russian Imperial Stout - 9.90% ABV - This big brew poured a pitch black color with a frothy, light brown head. The nose was solid; aromas of raisins, prunes, vanilla, cocoa nibs, and hints of malts create a wonderful bouquet. The mouth featured flavors of mildly roasted malts, slight chocolate, hints of oak, and a backend full of vanilla. The mouthfeel was medium-plus with a long finish that got better as it warmed up. Cheers to an affordable and enjoyable RIS! 8.2/10

Denver, Colorado - Russian Imperial Stout - 9.50% ABV - This classic RIS poured a pitch black color, with a small, viscous brown head. The nose gave off aromas of bitter earthiness, sweet caramel, candied malts, espresso, and hints of chocolate. The mouth featured flavors of roasted malts, dark cocoa, hints of coffee, and caramel up front, with a back end full of distinct bitterness that brings the tastes all together. The mouthfeel is medium-plus with a velvety-long finish that keeps you wanting more. The Yeti is a solid Imperial Stout that I recommend to everyone. Also, check out the other variants of his brew, it's great stuff. Cheers! 9.2/10

Grand Rapids, Michigan - Russian Imperial Stout - 10.5% ABV - This ale poured a syrupy black color with a frothy brown head. Complex aromas of dark chocolate, espresso, sweet molasses, and roasted toffee come together nicely on the nose. This is a solid tasting RIS; decadent flavors of dark chocolate, black coffee, roasted malts, hints of dark fruits, as well as an undertone of herbaceous hops come together to make this a very balanced brew. The drinkability on this one is amazing; it gets better with each sip. I highly recommend this RIS from Founders to any stout lover. Cheers! 4.7/5

San Diego, California - Russian Imperial Stout - 10.5% ABV - This stout poured a syrupy black with a deep brown head. Aromas of coffee, chocolate, blackberries, and malts were present on the nose. The mouth was thick and creamy, and featured bold flavors of roasted espresso beans, chocolate malts, and charred bourbon barrels. This is a bold stout that is highly enjoyable. Cheers, San Diego. 4.3/5

Escondido, California - IRS - 11.0% ABV - This imperial stout poured a deep black color with a brown head. The nose gave of a woody characteristic, while giving aromas of caramel, dark chocolate, dark roasted espresso beans, as well as a hint some smokey goodness. The mouth was full-bodied with a silky feel. Flavors of dark chocolate, espresso, and roasted malts dominate this brew, while masking it's high ABV. This is one of my favorite IRS brews to date. I highly recommend this one. 4.7/5