beerinmarch (2781), Alabama, USA May 26, 2008 Solid stout, very much like the BA version that I tried first. This does lack some of the warmth that the barrel aging provided, but still a delicious roastiness and burnt chocolate flavor. The carbonation was higher leaving a less smooth and more airy palate, but very good depth of malts and a soft coffee note to the finish. tomthompson89 (1460), Toronto, Ontario, Canada May 26, 2008 really really nice stout beautiful brownish color. fluffy beige head, thick oily look, nose is dark malt molasses some chocolate. flavor is mocha choc, some coffee intresting thick stout 502Flavors (617), Louisville, Kentucky, USA May 26, 2008 Updated: Jan 10, 200912 oz bottle into sniffer. Oil black thick delicious pour with a frothy thick beige head that settles surprisingly quickly. Thick and intoxicating aroma of hot molasses, roasted coffee, and bitter chocolate. Very bold and rich flavor that will probably develop nicely as it ages (thank God for the three extras downstairs) seeing as it has some pretty rough edges (lending to a intense finish) that, however, embodies many subtle intricacies. Robust and coating on the palate; heavy and smooth. Overall: great I.S. worthy of purchase (and age).
[RE-RATE] Had this side by side with the BA version. Maybe it was due to this side by side --and the vast superiority of the BA version-- but this stuff isn’t as thick or **imperial** as I remembered. Firstly, It was dark brown not black... = fail. Also it just seemed thin and timid. IT had a year on it and was from the same batch as my original rating above. raiderfost (158), virginia beach, Virginia, USA May 22, 2008 Bottle courtest of fredjaz. Aroma of coffee and.......................why am i actually typing this. Damm good stout!!! ChainGangGuy (2523), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA May 20, 2008 Appearance: Pours a dark brown, near black body with a full, frothed, khaki-colored head.
Smell: Roasty, creamy, chocolatey aroma with an underlying spiciness and a scent of vanilla powder.
Taste: Creamy dark chocolate and smooth, sweet caramel. Light fruitiness. A touch of wood, roast, and light spice. Sprinkled vanilla-flavored sugar. A bit warming in the chalky, chocolatey finish.
Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium carbonation.
Drinkability: Though I could use a bit more fullness to the body, it’s still a very good stout. Good one, Great Lakes. AgentSteve (1334), SF Bay Area, California, USA May 20, 2008 Bottle courtesy AllAboutStout. Pours cola brown with a tan head. Nose is coffee and cocoa powder with a subtle fruit influence. The flavor is similar, but a touch bitter in the finish. Not very smooth on the palate and a bit hot in the finish. GMUcrew7 (353), Mason, Ohio, USA May 15, 2008 Pours dark black with a reddish hue, and a finger of tan head that fades quickly. Excellent roasty aroma, with strong chocolate notes. Great complex taste, an initial burst of dried fruit which gives way to chocolate followed by the warmth of the roasted malts and alcohol. Great stout. MrChopin (621), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA May 13, 2008 Dark brown with small, quickly dissipating white head. Scents of chocolate, burnt roast, and minor dark fruit. Taste is incredibly balanced: sweet fruit and chocolate, bitter roasts, and a fantastic hop background. Imperial greatness all the way.
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