Põhjala — Taanilinn Cognac Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout (Cellar Series)

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

Taanilinn Cognac BA pours pitch-black with a dense mocha crown, releasing aromas of dark chocolate, roasted malt, and the unmistakable warmth of cognac-soaked oak. The palate unfolds in layers: bittersweet cocoa, espresso, and toasted bread give way to lush dark fruit, plum, raisin, and fig, lifted by vinous notes drawn from the brandy casks. Vanilla and oak weave through the finish, framing a gentle whisper of grape spirit and warming alcohol. Full-bodied and decadent, it delivers the brooding intensity of a Cellar Series imperial stout polished by elegant, fruit-forward barrel character.

Food Pairing

Pair with a dark chocolate and hazelnut torte to echo the stout’s cocoa depth and cognac-driven dark fruit. Alternatively, serve alongside aged hard cheeses such as Comté or a well-marbled blue, whose nutty, salty intensity balances the beer’s roasted bitterness, oak tannins, and warming alcohol.

About Põhjala Brewery

Põhjala Brewery was founded in 2011 in Tallinn, Estonia, by four beer enthusiasts who were later joined by head brewer Chris Pilkington. The brewery’s name translates to “northern realm” in Estonian, reflecting its deep connection to the Nordic region and the forests of Estonia. Põhjala has established itself as the largest craft brewery in the Baltic states, distinguished by its particular focus on porters, barrel ageing, and the incorporation of indigenous Estonian forest ingredients into its brewing process.

The brewery’s first beer, Öö Imperial Baltic Porter, was contract-brewed before the company opened its original facility in Tallinn’s Nõmme district in April 2014. Following rapid growth, Põhjala invested nearly 4.9 million euros in 2018 to relocate to a state-of-the-art brewery in the Noblessner area, featuring a capacity of 1,200 hectolitres per month and an extensive taproom with 24 taps. Põhjala holds the distinction of being the only Baltic brewery to appear in Ratebeer’s prestigious “top 100” list of world breweries, cementing its reputation as a leading force in European craft beer.