ReRate: I don’t expect anyone to give this over a 4.0. However, this beer is unique and is something that I always can enjoy knowing it is my favorite. Top 50 beer, no. Personal favorite, yes. Rerate: It’s been years since I discovered this beer, but it still tastes great. Pours thick and oily with a small but lasting head. Aroma is alcohol, vanilla, and just hints of cherries. Incredible palate- big malty chocolate taste with vanilla, alcohol. I absolutely LOVE the finish, which is dry, bitter, alcoholic, and chocolatey. Probably my favorite parts about this beer are the finish and the velvety mouthfeel. I have a certain way I like my stouts, and this beer and Southampton IS are it. Amazing brewer too!

One of the most perfect imperials I have had, and no gimmicks (I love a good gimmick though). Pours fairly dark brown that is somewhat translucent. Rather large head made of moderate sized bubbles. Excellent roasty aroma of heavy fruity chocolate, moderate coffee, and a load of toast. Fresh dark fruits, light licorice, and notes of sweet peppers. I did get some alcohol but only slight. Awsome creamy, velvety texture, with perfect carbonation. Sweet roasty flavor with a faint tartness. Finish only slightly bitter with some middle of the tongue twang and a load of roast. Gets more chocolate and coco powder as it warms. I was either in a good mood when I rated this or this is one of the most perfect imperials I have had. And it has been done without the gimmicks of super high alcohol (DFH WWS), coffee (Alesmith Speedway), or dead Russians (Old Rasputin). Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout "sub-sub-style" but better IMHO...

Pours a two finger light tan head that fades slowly leaving a good lace. Black color. Medium carbonation and heavy bodied. Molasses nose. Starts sweet, rich molasses flavor, smooth, hints of alcohol at finish. Great beer, this is how I like an imperial stout. $4.75 for a 22oz bottle from John’s Market Tigard, Or.

Black, thick, heady, smokey, full, bitter-sweet, creamy - what more could you want? Currently my favorite Impy!

Big thanks to footbalm for this. Pours obsidian with minimal tah head, Aroma of roasty malt, chocoff, prunes, licorice, corn flakes. Tastes full-bodied, delicious, with tons of complexity including roasty malt, chocoff, prunes, licorice, oats, slight cherries, with a velvety finish. This one is smoother than the Dark Horse Impy I had earlier. Very nice! It doesn’t club you over the head with any aromas or flavors (I don’t mind being clubbed), but this one subtlely slips into your room and spoons you up the ass without you knowing it, all the while hiding its 9.9% alcohol (and, until it slips it in you, hiding its 9.9 inch beer schlong!). You’ll be amazed, even if you aren’t female! All similes and gerunds aside, this beer speaks for itself, and doesn’t need hyperbole from the Good Doctor for exposure.