4.5 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20Poured from a draft into a snifter at San Diego Brewing Company in San Diego, Calif., on June 15. About a finger of head when I got it. Color was black with tints of purple in it. Brown, coffee and caramel lacing. Good retention.
Smelled chocolate, caramel, chocolate milk and some light coffee malts. Also some dark fruit, maybe plum? Great smell.
Tasted a big dose of alcohol right away, mainly bourbon. That gave way to caramel, toffee, chocolate and light coffee.
Full body. Average carbonation. Creamy texture. Smooth finish. The feel was the best part of this beer by far. I wish I could have given this a 5.5. Just phenomenal. I kept craving another taste when I put the glass down.
I’ve been wanting to try this beer for awhile and it didn’t disappoint. Just a marvelous beer.
4.2 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Pours black with tan head. Aromas of bourbon, chocolate, and oak with the same flavors that follow. This had a warm boozy backbone with some roasted goodness. This was my first time trying it and look forward to it again.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
2011 vintage. Thin brown head that dissipates quickly. Somewhat more mellow aroma than I expected but still very good. Lots of dark malts, molasses, light bourbon, smoked grains and a bit of dark chocolate. Color is opaque black. Rich and malty aroma with lots of licorice, mild coffee, sweet malts, a hint of cough syrup, bourbon and some more smoked peaty flavors. This seems like a cross between a big scotch ale and a impy. Rather hot from the high alcohol content but it does not detract from the flavor. Pretty easy drinking too. Thick and chewey palate with lots of strong flavors that linger well after the swallow. Finishes dark, smokey and hot. A damn fine imperial stout. Just wish it didn’t cost so much.
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Bomber. 2013. This was a share or I might have sat on it a bit longer. Big charred toasted boozy aroma. Chocolate and bourbon, some tobacco and leather. Warm beer. Flavor is chocolate, roasted malt, a bit of that acrid char. Big aggressive beer, but well balanced for all that. Really nice.
4.6 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
UPDATED: JUN 9, 2013 Here we go, rating #1000 (Mind you, more like beer # 5000, the remaining 4000 pre my RB time). 2011 bomber from an IP trade with richiesd, huge thanks! Pitch black color, brown head with not much retention, just a thin layer. Aroma’s: molasses, chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, oak, but nothing too much, all perfectly balanced. Retronasal it’s a bit more alcoholic. Flavor is sweet, roasted malts, bourbon, chocolate. Alcohol feel is on the strong side, but manageable. Full bodied, almost syruppy. Long finish, with some wood, bit charcoal, and a light roasty bitterness. I was warned, but yep, this would be one of my favorites ever.
4 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 17/20
Killer imperial stout, sample pour of blackness and khaki head. Nose is dark chocolate and sweet caramel malt. Loads of smoothness on the mouth, little bit of oak. Almost nutty, and a smooth caramel finish. I’m really enjoying this one for sure!
4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Philly Beer Week: Pours deep reddish black with a tan head. Aroma is tobacco, roast, coffee and dark chocolate. Taste is sweet with some roasty bitters. Incredibly smooth and easy to drink, alcohol is exceptionally well hidden. Excellent.
4.7 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
On tap at lunar brewing. Aroma is rich dark chocolate and bourbon. Flavor is sweet dark chocolate, caramel, and a really nice bourbon flavor. Epic beer!!
4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
I didnt find this to be hot or boozy at all. Drinks well fresh, and I can only imagine it will improve over time.
4.8 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
Poured from a 2013 bottle into a snifter. Almost black with tan head.
Smells of coconut molasses alcohol boozy.
Taste is an exceptional imperial stout with a raisin dark chocolate sweetness while not too hot. Happy to lay my other two down to savor down the road.
Overall LOVE the flavor of this 2013. A strong favorite for me next to Dark Lord.
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