 rayg1 (410), Ft. Mill, South Carolina, USA
Mar 22, 2007
Once again Ross hooked me up big time and allowed a good sample of his bomber of this rare beer. This baby pours black with a very dark brown head that is quite thick at first. Smell is roasted oak and coffee with a touch of bourbon but not at all overpowering. On the first taste I was very pleased to find that the bourbon picked up on the nose is nowhere to be found on the tounge. I don’t want my beer tasting like Jim Beam so good job to Deshutes for that. Bold roasted flavors jump out as well as bitter chocolate and a touch of bitter hops at the end. Fairly thick beer, worth the hype.
kopher (128), USA
Dec 3, 2008 very dark, thick pour, brown head.
sweet aroma, lots of alcohol, coffee, and maltyness
flavor is similar, sweet but not cloying and very nice
nice long bittersweet finish
very nice heavy body
Beardface (258), Eugene, Oregon, USA
Nov 30, 2008 Abyss is truly the best name they could have come up with for this thing. Black Hole is the only other thing that even comes close, because absolutely no light shines through this mother. Beautiful tan head as well. Smells like coffee and nuts and some whiskey notes with a little hop scent buried in the back. Huge licorice flavor with notes of chocolate, molasses and bourbon, very roasty as well. Beer doesn’t get much more perfect than this one, I just wish they’d produce more every year!
taalhiker (172), Dayton, Ohio, USA
Nov 28, 2008 Draft @ GABF. Pours pitch black with generous tan head. Aroma of roasted malt, alcohol and dark fruits. Taste was filled with licorice, malt, coffee and molasses. Huge mouthfeel with long finish.
RIXbeer (102), USA
Nov 28, 2008 Damn DUDE!
Pours a thick, disgustingly delicious blackness that can only be compared to a black hole. Nice 1.5" mocha colored head that fades slowly with a lot of sticking left behind :) Molasses but not DL molasses. I don’t know much about the stuff but this is different than that. Fudgey with a nice whiskey nose [from the barrel]. Prunes or some other dark fruit is present and bringing in the rear of aromas. Thick, rich and nasty (in a good way). This is one bad Larry! The thickness has an eruption of chocolate, molasses and whiskey oak. A very good and slightly bitter combo! Feels nice and heavy but goes down so smooth you can’t tell your about to be attacked by some serious flavors. A must pick up and try! Have one, have two. This is one damn damn great beer. It’s up there with the DL and Kate IMHO.
BigBang (162), Indiana, USA
Nov 27, 2008 2008 bottle. Pours black with big head . Aroma is dark fruit, molasses,
cocoa. Flavor is nicely complex. Carbonation is a little more than
other big RIS. Super lacing. Mouthfeel is lush, smooth, and lingers
forever like a fine stout should (but not many do) with bitter chocolate
aftertaste. ABV is well hidden but definitely warms the tummy. Not hot at
all. I think this will age very well. I’m not a big licorice fan and was
concerned but I didn’t really notice much. Hint of bourbon but not a lot,
which is fine - there’s something to said for moderation and complementary
flavors. This is a truly delicious beverage.
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