4.5 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Very dark brown in the glass with translucent edges. A near complete cappuccino cap slowly recedes to a glass ring. Moderate legs with surprising lacing makes this appear to be a winner. What a nose. I’m not just using flowery language, but authentic bitter cocoa infused baked goods are detectable. Beautiful barrel notes full of vanilla and oak lend a compliment to the sweet caramel alcohol. Huge and unabashed on the booze. One of the richest stouts I’ve ever smelled. Big peppery dark fruits and raisins by the truck load. Chocolate, vanilla, toffee, obvious bourbon... A decadent dessert in a glass to be sure. No coffee in this guy, but that’s not really his bag. Deep and lush, fairly light in body with soft carbonation, and an only slightly sticky finish. The high ABV would suggest it should be heavier than this. Very smooth on the palate with honest tongue numbing qualities.
4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Bottle. Pitch black sludgy pour, thin tan head. Dark chocolate, molasses, very dark dried fruit, lots of burning booze warmth, and brown candy sugar. Nice after dinner beer. Hot and warming, with nice desert flavors.
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
Big thanks to Starr for sharing this bottle. Served in a tulip.
Pours near-black with a very thin mocha head. Not much retention or lacing, and a thin collar throughout. The nose has some really nice bourbon notes along with plenty of chocolate. A good dosing of dark fruits as well, especially in the flavor. Viscous and chewy with low-medium carbonation. Really quite good.
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
On tap at Bailey’s Taproom in Portland, OR. Colour... black as night with a thin tan head. Nose... winey and boozy with hints of dried fruit and fruitcake. Palate... a shot of froth and then, whoa! I can tell this abv is up there! But the oak seems to temper the booziness rapidly allowing for the others flavours to materialise and envelope the palate with waves of medium bodied day old coffee, dark toffee, treacle, dark chocolate truffles, turbinado, candi sugar, wine gums and yet another shot of booze just before it eases its way down the gullet. Yum!
4.2 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Tap @ Bailey’s Taproom... Poured pitch black with a light brown head. Nice lacing too. Cookie dough, whiskey soaked grains on the nose. Big whiskey and dark wood flavors. Dark chocolate, Turkish coffee, roast. Strong booziness especially at the finish. Really smooth, low bitterness, some thin fruit esters and wine-like yeast characters. Cocoa came back in towards the end.
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