drainey (231), Chicago, Illinois, USA Apr 2, 2006 11.2 oz corked bottle. Pours a black body with no head at all. Aroma is sherry-like. Flavor is sherry, port, chocolate, and a nice breadiness. With the medium thick, rich palate, it makes for a nice Imperial. jpm30 (1588), East Central, Georgia, USA Mar 26, 2006 From a 11.2 oz. corked long, narrow neck bottle with the year 2000 on bottom of label and a history about the Russian Imperial Stout on top and sides of label. Made a good appearance, poured a deep opaque black with a small foamy brown head that settled into a thin bubbly lacing, moderate carbonation. Had a dark ripe fig aroma with a good deal of woodiness, whiffs of roasted grain and alcohol. A syrupy full bodied mouth feel, good sipping drinkability. Bitterness from the roasted grain and hops is the first thing you notice in the taste, a sweet woodiness follows, a dark ripe fruitiness, and a roasted malty and woody finish with a warm alcohol presence lingering in the palate.
A very nice Russian Imperial Stout with an interesting history, well worth seeking out. PattyBoy (302), North Liberty, Iowa, USA Mar 21, 2006 2001 bottle. Was like pouring motor oil, black and thick, no head. Very flat. Nose was molasses, hint of roast and a lot of sour. The alcohol is definitely noticeable. Flavor is very complex, very sweet, prunes, some roasts/smokiness. The sourness was a bit more than I cared for, didn’t mix well with the bitterness. Is definitely better at warmer temps. Sammy (3934), Toronto, Ontario, Canada Mar 18, 2006 This beer needs to air out and warm to the room. 2000 vintage. Inititially Cantillon sour and chemical aroma that becomes more coffee and above average. Thick black appearance that does not disapoint the palate. Just boozy and sourish at the beginning, then it tapers around the edges as it warmed. daalamar (403), bardstown, Kentucky, USA Mar 11, 2006 2000 and 2001 vintage. Pours a dark black color, thick but completly flat. Aroma is of sour cherry and bitter chocolate. Flavor was horrid, I could not finish this beer. There was far too much sour and bitter (in a bad way) flavors. I did not even attempt to try to decipher them out, so siffice it to say it was bad and does not et a recommendation from me. gputty (456), Virgina Beach, Virginia, USA Mar 6, 2006 2000 bottle. Pours a thick creamy tar-like black with no head, although it ends up with coffee colored lacing. Nose is huge with liquorish, prunes, vinous notes and tar. Flavor follows but more like a rotten grape juice. This one was so bad I couldn’t finish it. Maybe it was past it’s prime? oldrtybastrd (1801), Morlautern, Germany/Great Falls, Montana, USA Mar 2, 2006 RATING #900 I was on a business trip and didn’t realize the bottle was corked the way it was, Thank God my "church key" had a corkscrew attachment.
2001 Vintage - Pours a jet black. Aromas of espresso/chocolate and roasted malts with a wood like quality. Almost like this was aged in sherry casks. Taste is complex; dark roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate malt with a smooth alcohol laced bite, also had some Sambuca like qualities, licorice and nut. This was an interesting stout with a flavor like nothing I’ve tried before. Not sure if I would buy it again, but something everyone should try at least once. ruggedman (613), Portland, Maine, USA Mar 1, 2006 1999 Vintage (at the time i had it aged around 7 years). Pours a dark opaque black with small tan head. The smell really hits you hard right off with oak, cork, malt, and chocolate. Flavor is resonably complex and very powerful. You can certainly taste the alcohol in this one. This beer is thick, very malty, and very unique. This is one you’ve gotta try if you ever see it, becuase really it’s not like any other.
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