4.5 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20750 ml bottle (2006 vintage)
Rating #600 - I’ve been saving this for a special occasion. A 600th rating seems like a great reason to open a bottle which has been in the cellar for 18 months now. It is drinking fabulously; I can’t wait to get to Ohio and pick up another one. As it says on the label this one is huge. It took over two hours to work my way through a single. If you must share it with people who appreciate great beers - don’t let this go to waste on a palate that won’t enjoy it.
Aroma / Appearance - The body was pitch black and very oily. A sandy colored head sheltered the fluid underneath. Creamy tan lacing clung to the sides as I worked my way through glass after glass. It left layers of sediment that made it clear where the full level was. The nose was expresso, anise, cocoa and plums. Figs, cherries, smoke and vanilla also contribute. A dusty vinous feel permeates everything.
Flavor / Palate - The mouthfeel is dense but not suffocating. Black coffee, anise, licorice and plums hit the tongue soon after taking a sip. Blackberries come next followed by a lingering expresso flavor. The malty feel is strong and intense; this is not a subtle beer. The finish of dark chocolate highlights an incredible experience. With easy access to this I may have competition for my current favorite - a two year old bottle of Expedition.
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Thanks jbruner! Inky black pour with a fluffy tan head. Rich roasted maltiness, bitter coffee, dry coffee with noticeable hoppy backing. Velvety, Hersey milk chocolate, earthiness, roasted malts and coffee in the flavor. Thick bodied with a hoppy bitter end. Damn nice beer.
4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
On the nose is molasses, vanilla and vodka. The look is like I would expect...dark with a head that melts into the glass within a few minutes leaving plenty of lacing after each sip. Taste is a lot of booze that is in your face and the 12% ABV is prevalent enough to warm up the tongue. On the palate the carbonation assaults the tongue on contact. It’s good but now that I’ve had it once was enough. A 12 oz pour of this one was too much for a beer that doesn’t hide the ABV’s.
4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Saved this brew for DeadCatAtlanta’s engagement party to share with my brothers. Poured a beautiful black with a tan head. Ideal mix of alcohol, coffee, and chocolate on the nose. Fantastic sweet front end to bitter back end transition. Palate so full it feels like a meal. Great damn beer. Bottle - Whole Foods Market Bowery - New York, NY
4.8 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
deep, black colour, moderate foamy brown head; brilliant aroma of chocolate, green apple, roasted malt, alcohol and maybe some vanilla; taste of heavy roasted coffee and malt, with some dried fruits and intensive alcoholic spiciness; really great stout...a bit too stouty for me, but anyway, it’s a great beer...and who am I to question the greatness of it? :)
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
Bottle in Vail with my dad. Pour is viscous, car-oil black with a pillowy brown head and great lacing. Big coffee, leathery, dark chocolate, graham crackers, deep roasty, sweet vanilla, brown sugar, and earthy aroma - so rich. Taste is deep dark cocoa, espresso beans, toffee, roasted caramel, toasted bread, tobacco, molasses, somewhat leathery, earthy, and sweet vanilla on the backend. Super-thick, mouth-coating body with soft carbonation. Rich, decadent, oily, sweet, yet balanced beautifully with roasted malt. Truly a classic.
4.4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
Little creamy brown head. Sweet aroma of intense dark chocolate, coffee, malts. Taste of chocolate, coffee. Very balanced and straight forward stout, but the over all quality is fantastic. Mouthfeel is just perfect. Overrated? No way!
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
On tap. Pours almost black. Thick tan head with high retention and lacing. Smells of coffee, malt, chocolate. Tastes similar to smell, coffee, dark chocolate, slight vanilla and toffee. Mouthfeel is perfectly velvet, low carbonation. Incredible brew.
4.3 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Bottle from systembolaget. Very malty smell with chocolate, coffee and dark bread. Similar taste, very complex and nice to drink. Great beer!
4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
1 year old bottle. Really dark brown liquid, almost jet black. Small light brown head. Big dark chocolate aroma. Also some coffee, caramel, dark fruits. Taste starts with some sweetness, milk chocolate, bitter coffee, caramel, sweet toffee, ends a little bit dry with bitter coffee again. So smooth. Medium carbination, full body.
Too easy to drink!
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Wow!!! Great opaque pour w/ a nice mocha head that leaves lacing. Aroma is chocolate, roasted coffee, & booze. Incredibly smooth & creamy mouthfeel. This is an imperial stout to a tee! A tremendously balanced beer that has both vanilla & chocolate flavor that stand out. Amazing beer!
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