Beer Review: Aún Más A Jesús (Even More Jesus)

Reviewing the Aún Más A Jesús from Evil Twin Brewing out of Denmark. Major thanks to Edgar Chavez for sending me this bottle as part of his amazing Christmas/Channukah BIF box!
Score: 93

2011 vintage bottle served in a Surly Darkness snifter and enjoyed on 01/13/13.

Appearance: Pours a jet black color with a thin layer of tan head that settles to a pencil thin ring around the glass. Some oily lacing oozes along the side, but no lacing/retention otherwise. 3.75/5

Smell: Dark chocolate, mildly "burnt" roast, non-fresh (but not "stale") hops, buttery almonds, caramelized brown sugar, oak and a light amount of something vaguely anise-like and cherry-esque that reminds me of Cuvee Delphine. Hint of soy sauce and coffee too. The aroma is big and bold; you can whiff it a foot or two away from the glass. 4/5

Taste: The first thing that strikes me about this beer is that it finishes with an intense dose of immensely dark chocolate that tastes like this chocolate bar. Upfront is dark fruit, cherry, caramelized brown sugar, burnt roast and very faint coffee. The "upfront" flavor reminds me a lot of Marshall Zhukov and Black Albert. In comparison to the nose, there is not much hops and the anise is barley detectable unless you are searching for it. Some five seconds after these flavors hit your tongue, the dark chocolate/cacao flavor washes them away and supplants them entirely with a big, thick, bold, dry and delicious pure chocolate finish. As the beer warms up, a little bitter coffee flavor sneaks into the finish and a little more of the roast and anise come through on the palate. This beer is pretty complex, and I like the way the flavors from the finish and the "upfront impression" complement each other in a non-blended way that makes this beer seem like I am drinking two separate stouts. 4.5/5

Mouthfeel: Full bodied, minimal carbonation. Slightly sweet with a modestly bitter, dry finish. 4.5/5

Overall: An excellently crafted, gypsy-made imperial stout that far surpasses everything that Mikkeller, Evin Twin's (evil) twin brother, has put out to date. Prost!

Recommendation: The beer is quite pricey, but arguably delivers. This is not a beer that I would hoard at its price point, but it's one I would recommend nonetheless trying (and maybe sharing with a friend).

Pairings: A peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Cost: $12 for a 12 oz bottle.