Awarded the 9th Best Stout in the World in the 2018 RateBeer Awards, this imperial milk stout from Brew York is brewed with coconut, tonka beans and Madagascan vanilla. Weighing in at a stonking 7.5% this is definitely one to savour rather than glug.
Pouring a dark brown, almost black with a thick, tight tan head this imperial stout is a thing of beauty. The impressive head hardly budges at all, leaving a good layer throughout and thick lacing on the glass. It's an unfiltered beer so it needs a careful pour; I managed to get most of it out of the can without any sediment but there were some lumpy bits when I rinsed out the can.
The aroma is mouthwatering. Roasted coconut, sweet malt and chocolate means that it does actually smell like a Bounty bar. My first sip was an OMG moment as coconut, malt and chocolate swirled around my mouth in a liquid Bounty experience. It has a bitter finish which is quite metallic and I found it a bit off-putting at first but you do get used to it and I hardly noticed it after a while.
It is so full bodied that I felt like I could have used a spoon to devour it and it feels very smooth in the mouth with low carbonation.
Imperial Tonkoko is an absolutely awesome stout; it is so decadent and rich that it makes you want the experience to last for as long as possible so make sure to take your time with this one. I actually think the flavour developed into a sweeter richer taste by my taking so long to drink it and the bitter aftertaste seemed to disappear altogether.
I really don't think you'll be disappointed if you decided to splash out on an Imperial Tonkoko; I don't usually spend over £5 on a can/bottle but I'm so glad I made an exception to spend a few extra pennies (RRP is currently £5.40). It's my absolute pleasure to say, 'Ale Be Seeing You again!'
Brewed by Brew York, York
7.5% ABV
My rating:
My Untappd score: 4.5/5
