4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20UPDATED: MAR 25, 2013 750 ml bottle shared by foppa78 and the KC Beer Saints- thanks again, guys! Pours a motor oil, almost-black, dark brown color with a small brown head. Aroma of dark chocolate, roasted malts, vanilla, dark fruits, and a bit of smoked wood. The flavor follows suit, and I notice the cinnamon is present here, and the berry fruits stand out as well. A lot of chocolaty goodness. Full-bodied, with low carbonation and an oily mouthfeel. Re-Rate: 7/27/12. Yeah, this needed a re-rate, and what better occasion than a full vertical and horizontal? We had a 2012 back to a 2010, and even a 2009 that was bottled from a tap at a bar whose name shall remain secret. That one was infected, so I’ll leave it out. The 2010 through 2012 are all doing great. 2010 was the roastiest of the bunch, and the one where the pepper was the most mellowed out. All have notes of roast, dark chocolate, fudge, and pepper, without as much vanilla as I’d remembered. 2011 had by far the most chocolate in it, getting roastier and more peppery as it moved along. 2012 had the most pepper, and was very smooth throughout. Medium-full bodied, with moderate carbonation. Fantastic imperial stout. One of the greats. Re-Rate: The 2013 version is solid but not what it used to be.
4.2 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 17/20
Received in trade from cpetrone84, thanks for the opportunity Chris.
Pours a thick solid black color with a decent sized long lasting dark cocoa head. Smells of chocolate and roast up front with lots of anise and dark sugars supporting. Light cinnamon as well as earthy hops provide a bit of balance. Thick chocolate syrup, dark chocolate, licorice, nutmeg and cinnamon flavors come out up front. Lingering chocolate covered pitted fruits, licorice and roast coats the digestive track long after every sip. Thick body with a creamy syrupy mouthfeel and a light level of carbonation. This is a big thick sweet chewy stout, just the way I like them, bring on the diabetes.
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
2013 vintage. Really underwhelmed. Reminds me of Dark Lord. Strange tart flavor.
4.2 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Poured from a bottle. Nice thick and creamy brown head that lingered longer than expected for a beer of this ABV. Smells of chocolate, caramel, coffee, and a little bit of vanilla. Sweetness dominates with cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel hitting the tongue first with a bit of roasted barley at the end. Can’t tell for sure, but there might be peppers in here balancing everything. A great and complex Imperial Stout.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Bottled 2012 sample at CBC 2013, Saturday evening, deep dark brown with a lacing beige head, leather and tobacco aromas, syrupy texture brings roasted dark chocolate, malt extract and hints of coffee and gravy. The aftertaste is burnt with chilli coming through.
4.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Sample @ CBC 2013. Dark brown with a small brown head. Malty with coffee tones. Malt, coffee and chocolate. Full body with a long bitter / spicy after taste.
4.5 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
Pours black with a minimal tan head that eases away into nothingness. Aromas are powerful cinnamon, clove, chocolate, coffee, toffee, nutmeg, roast, and light alcohol. Flavors are massively spiced with cinnamon, clove and nutmeg being the most forward, lots of cocoa and toffee mingle with the spice, there is a soft pepper heat that is more felt than tasted although it does come through in flavor on the aftertaste and very minimal alcohol notes that are quite pleasant. Palate is perfect in every way, thick and creamy with tongue coating supremacy. Overall this is an amazing experience though one to be savored for sure; the beer is big and complex and can easily overwhelm the senses but it is a truly exceptional drinking experience.
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
[5/4/13] Bottle at Copenhagen Beer Celebration 2013. 2011 bottle. Opaque black with a brown foam film. Aroma of dark chocolate, some espresso, liqueur and a bit of spiciness. Sweet flavor with dark chocolate, liqueur and a slightly spicy finish with a bit of burnt malt, light bitterness and a bit of alcohol. Full-bodied, silky mouthfeel. Great stuff.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
Vanilla stout goodness. Strong sweet aroma. Solid stout, not roasty base. Strong vanilla notes. I like it -- recommended!
---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
2013 and 2011 bottles at CBC.
Pours heavy black.
Lots of chili but yet fairly balanced. The 2011 vintage is more chcolatey and drinkable.
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
How could a beer this good have such a shitty label. It looks cheap like somebody half assed their way through Photoshop and printed it off at home. OK, my apologizes for criticizing what is otherwise one of the best beers that I’ve ever had in my life. I’ve had a lot of Imperial Stouts in my day and this is probably the best one that hasn’t seen any wood that I’ve ever had. I wouldn’t want any wood here either. They manage impeccable balance of a huge roasty Imperial stout with cinnamon and ancho chile I believe. This is just delicious. Goes down too easy. Fantastic. My favorite beer of the night and we had some great ones.
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