Emelisse White Label Imperial Russian Stout (Ardbeg BA )

Pitch black opague with no head. Smells very peaty, very smoked. Mostly peat. Tastes peat, whisky, wood and stout. Most peated beer i’ve had. I like it but i can see why others don’t. Full body, good carbo.

Pours a black body with a somewhat creamy, light-brown head of moderate size that reduces to a very thin fully lasting layer that laces the glass well. The aroma is strong, burnt and very boozy. At first I thought I got mainly cognac, but after a short while peat and whisky started to come forward, and finally the aroma is rather dominated by peaty whisky. Also some general sour smoke notes, alcohol and light hoppy notes. The taste is moderate sweet and heavy bitter. Very strong flavours of peaty whisky and smoke that effectively drowns most other contributions. I do get some faint traces of something fruity in the back, but I’d liked those element to be more evident. The smoke leaves the throat a bit dry, a kind of snuff like dryness that isn’t that lovely, but otherwise the mouthfeel is close to perfect. The alcohol is very present, but not disturbing. Full bodied, oily texture and soft carbonation. A bit rough, but still a delicious sipper.
[33 cl bottle, enjoyed 2 years before BB date, from Vinmonopolet Vika, Oslo]

Bottle 33cl. Poors black with creme small head. Aroma alcohol, whiskey, choco and some coffee. Taste wood, a thick sweetness, alcohol, whiskey, some bitter in the back. Complex nice beer.

Bottled at PBF. Black, small beige head. Huge peaty whisky aroma. Sweet and dense, really full bodied. Tar and licorice, loads of Ardbeg whisky. The whisky character is absolutely overwhelming, if it wouldn’t have been Ardbeg it would have been awkward. Now it’s like drinking an Ardbeg diluted in licorice, whish is not a bad thing.

Bottle. Pours black with a medium beige head. The aroma is heavy smoked with some malty and chocolate notes. Tar and soy. The flavour is tar, smoke and some roasted malt. Its extremely Ardbeg like.

@BBF12. Pours black with a beige head. Aroma is roasted malt, peated smoke, chocolate and coffee. Flavour is roasted malt, chocolate, alcohol, peated smoke and dark fruit.

This beer is very complex, amazing what you can do with one single style. This beer is very smokey, herby and most of all peaty. For me personally a litle too much but it is a fairly amazing beer nonetheless, something I have never tasted before. Bottle from De Bierkoning.

UPDATED: OCT 12, 2012 Bottle at home. Black pour, thin dark brown head that quickly dissipates. Aroma is harsh, ashy, roasted, iodine, medicinal and wet sigar indeed. Flavor is even more wet sigar, very ashy and with tar. Quite offensive brew. Out of balance. Still unique and intriguing.

Dark brown body and tan soapy head. Loads of whiskey, tobacco, peat and roasted. Rich taste, well pronounced but not really my thing with all that whiskey. (33cl bottle at MrHangover’s tasting)