 kepano (239), Meudon, France
Mar 11, 2008 Updated: Mar 12, 2008
Pure black, and topped of a heavy tan foam, it doesn’t get more Stygian than this. The thick, subtly smoky vapor resonates with dark chocolate, hints of soy sauce, peanut and smooth coffee. The nose is languishing and tighter than I had hoped, tiredly breathing alcohol. Eventually, quiet hints of Frosted Flakes, heavy cream and roasted garlic become noticeable. On the tongue, the rich oily liquid is enveloping and suggests dry dark chocolate, touched with coffee bean and allspice. Somewhat plain when compared to the expectations of a modern Imperial Stout, but I must praise its exquisite balance. It remains corpulent and syrupy however, perhaps more suited to lose some of its weight and become a simple stout. The finish, it should be noted, is a phenomenal explosion of smoky steak sauce, a beautifully chewy coating aftertaste that adds a memorable layer of depth. All in all, I was surprised to see this brew chime so strongly among my colleagues, because it isn’t an over-the-top hedonistic (read Dark Lord) experience. It’s a simple, well-made, Imperial Stout. (10/03/07)
nimbleprop (701), SouthWest, Washington, Washington DC, USA
Jun 25, 2009 I think I got this via last years Secret Santa. If so, thank you Saint Nick. 12oz bottle pours a viscous, oily, opaque black with a very thin, bubbly tan head. Legs down the side of the glass like a fine scotch. Aroma is strong but doesn’t beat you over the head, toast, roasted grain, raisions, dark chocolate, earth, tobacco, molasses. Flavor is very strong on the brown sugar, chocolate, slight coffee, toast, very heavy raisin, vanilla, bourbon, booze, molasses, nuts, you name it really. I was surprised at how drinkable this was, easy on the tongue for 12% alcohol but still very complex. Sweet and bitter on the end, thick and oily. A real treat. I wish I had a case. Bells really knows how to do their stouts.
dchmela (1185), Orlando, Florida, USA
Jun 23, 2009 Thanks to MReusch for the bottle. Oozes out of the bottle like oil and managed to create a thin dark tan head. Once you start drinking some, it leaves a disgusting oily film all over the glass, just wonderful. Great aroma of cognac, tobacco, roasted grain, chocolate soy sauce and cocoa powder. Very complex and ever changing as it warms. Tasting this beast gives you a thick chewy body, chocolate, roasted grain, cocoa and hints of orange liqueur. Finishes with nice touches of chocolate. A big ballsy Imperial Stout that can almost double as a dessert beer. Simply outstanding.
fiver29 (609), Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Jun 20, 2009 Bottle pours oily pitch black with tan head. Aroma is some oxidation, bittersweet chocolate, and rich molasses. Mouthfeel is probably the thickest beer I’ve ever had. Oily thick doesn’t do it justice. Flavor follows the nose. I was expecting this to be a huge oxidation bomb. It had some, but not nearly as much as I was expecting. More bittersweet chocolate, espresso, and molasses. And I can still detect some alcohol. This is just a wonderful brew.
coyotehunter (340), , Michigan, USA
Jun 14, 2009 Today is a good day. Recieved this bottle from a friend, and man was it worth it.Pours a coal black with a slowly bulilding head. Absolutely beautiful. Molasses and brown sugar mixed with the licorice is just a dynamite Aroma. The flavor follows the smell very closely with the molasses and licorice dominating. Some bitter chocolate shows up towards the end making this one of my absolute favorite beers Ive ever had.I love Larry Bell.
towerjac (8), Lansing, Michigan, USA
does not count  Jun 13, 2009 06/13/09 Haven’t had this beer since it came out. I thought it was great then and it tastes even better now. Thick nut brown head, rich dark chocolate molasses flavor. One of my favorites.
Ibrew2or3 (2402), Safety Harbor, Florida, USA
May 24, 2009 Some generous porter drinker made this beer available to sample at the weekly tasting. Thank you sir, may your cup of porter runneth over. Pours deep dark with thin dark tan head. The smell is hot as hell booze followed by caramel, roast, molasses and hints of maltiness. Wow, pretty darn hot nose burning alcohol (is it still too young?). The taste elicits another wow response to pure triple layered yumminess. I get a thick chewy velvety fudgy mouth feel that feels oh so right. Notes of blended creamy malts, chocolate, molasses and caramel have come together in velvety harmony. Holy cow. This is fudgy yummy chocolaty, rich and delicious. It gets caramel, fudge and dark roastiness into the finish.
Adam77 (402), Eastampton, New Jersey, USA
May 14, 2009 Poured black with a brown head. Aroma of chocolate and roasted coffee. Flavor of roasted malt with hints of chocolate and molasses.
MaxxDaddy (253), Hoboken, New Jersey, USA
May 7, 2009 First rating in forever! Bottle courtesy of pantanap (thanks Kan!). Pours dark black with slim tan head, thanks to some force on my end. The aroma is lovely, tons of dark fruits and chocolate. Plenty of roastiness as well. And the taste...just wow. Everything I like about Expedition basically. Explosion of dark bitter chocolate, burnt roast, and slight plumminess. One thing I’ve been amazed at with both this and Batch 6000 is just how unreal the texture is despite the years of aging. Wonderfully slick and full on the tongue. Finish is bitter and roasty. Excellent, spectacular, etc. Can’t wait for Batch 9000!
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