Brewdog Rattle & Rum

BrewDog Rattle and Rum is an imperial stout aged in rum barrels — a beer that sits at the serious, indulgent end of the craft beer spectrum. Imperial stouts are already among the most complex and intensely flavoured beers available, and barrel ageing adds another dimension entirely: the wood imparts vanilla and oak character while the previous contents (in this case rum) contribute their own distinctive notes. The result is a beer that requires a comfortable chair and no particular plans for the next hour.

Tasting Notes

Rattle and Rum pours an almost impenetrable black with a thin tan head. The nose is extraordinary — dark chocolate, molasses, vanilla, toffee, and the distinctive warm sweetness of rum, all layered over a base of intensely roasted malt. On the palate it’s rich, warming, and complex: dark chocolate and coffee from the stout base, molasses and vanilla from the rum barrel, and a long, warming finish with the alcohol (likely 10-12% ABV) making itself warmly known. It’s an exceptional beer.

Verdict

Serve at near room temperature in a snifter and sip it slowly — this is not a beer to rush. Rattle and Rum is one of BrewDog’s finest releases and a benchmark for rum barrel-aged stouts. Pair it with dark chocolate, pecan pie, or just savour it on its own as a proper after-dinner experience. Genuinely outstanding.