 pootzboy (863), Calgary/ Kitchener, Alberta, Canada
Jul 6, 2007
Bottle:
Poured a deep dark light-defying brown....as Sege said there are some ruby highlights that show at the base or stem of the glass.
Frothy fine pored mocha colored cap lasts and laces well.
Aroma is glorious! I like smoked beers but this one is celestial in the mingling of aromas....smoke, toast, coca, coffee, figs...very much like a toasted chocolate bundt cake.
Medium full bodied, smooth, rich and oily mouth feel, big mellow character.
Up front a big chew on toasted chocolate malts... like smoked brownies with dates in it..enough smoke and hops to make a perfect balance and stave off any cloying from such rich malting. As it warms it becomes more complex and you get more subtle secondary smells and tastes..dried fruits, nuts, smoked toffee..excellent.
Impression: This is a wonderful smoky, chocolaty smooth and satisfying brew with excellent drinkability ( hides its alcohol completely) World class effort here.
piscator34 (908), Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Sep 6, 2008 Bottled sample via radiomgb, shared with oakbluff. Dark brown in colour with medium carbonation. Aromas are of smoke, dark chocolate, caramel, and a bit of plum. More smoke in the mouth, along with roasted grains, more caramel and chocolate, and a bit of earthy hop character. Medium bodied... but we drank it a bit on the cold side, so it probably would have presented a bit thicker at the proper temperature. Excellent stuff, with great flavor concentration.
The_Jester (493), Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Sep 1, 2008 341 mL bottle. Deep chestnut brown with a nice, sticky light brown head. Aroma is smoky, with some burnt caramel. The smoke aroma changes as it warms!? Flavour is smoke, toffee, burnt chocolate, roast, and dark fruit. But mostly smoke. Some bitterness, some sweetness. Relatively dry finish. Not my thing, but not bad either.
notalush (2036), Rawn-kawn-kohma, New York, USA
Aug 25, 2008 12 ounce bottle purchased at Fromagerie du Marché Atwater - consumed out of a hotel wine glass - pours dark ruby, nearly black, with a soapy lace - wonderfully smoky, woody aroma, with caramelized sugars and toasted marshmallow, tobacco, charred oak - chocolate - creamy, full mouthfeel - perfect balance of choco-sweet malts, charred character, light tartness, leafy tobacco - a little vinous character late - fantastic beer.
Eructoblaster (1254), Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Aug 16, 2008 Bottle - 341ml. Pours an opaque black body with low carbonation and a thin brown creamy head. Very nice malty/hoppy aroma with roasty and smoky hints. Alcohol is well hidden. Taste is very well balanced. it is basically hoppy, but it also carries strong smoky, malty and roasty notes. It leaves a long bitter/smoky aftertaste. Very good stuff.
JMFG (1140), Florida, USA
Aug 16, 2008 Bottle from Secret Santa. Very dark chestnut brown color, a few stray bits of foam circle the glass. Great aroma - charred wood, spruce, a light meatiness and a nice background roastiness. The taste is surprising in that the smoke eases up and lets the porter character through. Very roasty taste backed by some smoke and an almost minty tone. Creamy mouthfeel. One of the better smoked brews I’ve had in a while.
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