 cking (756), North Canton, Ohio, USA
May 20, 2007 Updated: Dec 15, 2007
Rated 5/21/06: Unique Imperial, well crafted. My first sampling was with the ’04-’05 batch and I’ve been enjoying this every year since. Pours an incredibly thick jet black with a nice tan head, there is a medium amount of lacing that sticks to the glass. Rich velvety aroma of chocolate and red wine with other dark fruits and roasted nuts. This inviting scent is unique from the other imperial stouts I’ve had thus warranting the high score. Mouth feel is smooth and sweet. When fresh the sharp alcohol is dominant, but after some age the burn fades and you are presented with a tangy, dry creaminess. Black Chocolate is an applicable name for this one although the standard roasted dark malt and coffee flavors are present there is a nice blend of chocolate malt that seems to take over. This isn’t milk chocolate either, dark dense sweet chocolate makes this beer a thing of beauty. Nutty with notes of raisins and sherry wine. Like the aroma this flavor stands out in a unique way. A year in the bottle does wonders for this complex brew. Big bonus points for being somewhat unique comparatively as well as being such a bargain. I stock up every season when this hits the shelves. //Additional notes and rating on 12-14-07 after enjoying a well aged bottle.
tmoreau (72), Lombard, Illinois, USA
Jan 7, 2009 12oz. bottle to snifter. Pours a thick, black, a little mahogany hue as the glass tilts, with a dark tan head that diminished fairly quickly, and leaves a small ring, and some light lacing. Aroma is of roasted malt, sweetness and alcohol. Coffee and distinct hop bitterness hit you in the flavor, with the alcohol and dark chocolate following. Full bodied with a viscous texture. Finishes pleasantly dry with that touch of sweetness.
lithy (555), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Jan 7, 2009 Winter 08-09 bottle. Pitch black pour that doesn’t appear as syrupy as many imperial stouts. A finger of pretty lasting creamy milk chocolate head sits in the snifter and leaves good spotty lacing when swirled. Aroma is big chocolate, burnt and roasted malt. Black malts and light alcohol. Taste is big roastiness, minimal chocolate, oily but not heavy, some sour notes and soy sauce comes through, with a big bitter finish.
smith4498 (459), Miami, Florida, USA
Jan 5, 2009 Pours black with brown head. Big roasty, chocolate aroma. Flavor is sweet burnt malts, chocolate and alcohol. The alcohol is noticeable, but not overpowering, and adds a nice warming element. Full body with a thick, oily mouthfeel and minimal carbonation.
pjweaver (125), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Jan 4, 2009 Blind Tasting.
Boozy coffee, aroma, hints of dark chocolate, smoke, toasty malt. Black/brown dark head. Coffee and dark chocolate flavor, minimal red fruit, mostly toasty and boozy. Warm oily palate. No real aftertaste, doesn’t seem to cling at all.
n49921 (92), USA
Jan 3, 2009 Bottle. Pours very dark. Nice tan head. Aroma was malty with a nice hit of chocolate. Taste is chocolate and a touch of coffee, can taste the high ABV too. Nice.
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