Appearance

The Evil Twin / Westbrook Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break is in a tall brown bottle with white lettering and purple sugar skulls on black. The bottle cap is plain black. The beer pours dark and the head is chocolate colored, creamy, and reminds me of a float.

Aroma

Given the nature of the beer, and the high ABV, I was expecting a significant and powerful aroma. I am able to pick up toasted malts, some sweetness and mild vanilla. The aroma is largely underwhelming.

Flavor

There is significant sweetness, with a cherry like fruit underneath. The biscotti is there but at the end of each sip. Chocolate, cinnamon, almonds and mild habanero pepper comes through.

Balance

With the number of flavor notes I’m surprised to find the balance very good here. Cocoa nibs drive the flavor, with almonds and cinnamon as the next strongest flavors.

Finish

The beer finishes with baking spices and sweetness. The cinnamon and habanero has a medium length finish.

Overall

The Evil Twin / Westbrook Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break is far more complex than the aroma led me to believe. Cocoa nibs, cinnamon, habanero, almonds, baking spices and sweetness all in each sip, and wonderfully balanced with no flavor dominating over another. At 10.5% ABV this isn’t exactly sessionable, but one glass should provide all the flavor satisfaction you’re looking for.

John McTavish

SCORE

6.75

Cost/Point

$2.37

Scoring System

Personal Beer Review: Evil Twin / Westbrook Imperial Mexican Biscotti Cake Break