 acrdz (4248), Pennsylvania, USA
Aug 6, 2005 Updated: Aug 10, 2008
2004 nip bottle, sampled in July 2005
11026 hook me up with a bottle, has to be one of the best wedding presents we recieved. The wife and I opened this while camping in Washington, after a great day spent at the beach. Has a tan head on top of a purple and deep red body. Amazing complexity in the aroma: bourbon, creamed raspberries, cherries, sweet (but not hot) alcohol, oak, peaches and fruit seeds, very husky and hearty aroma. Amazingly rich and sweet up front, full of wood, tart raspberries and pie (think cobler), some brandy and graham cracker. Warms the throat and stomach, to me it felt a little like heartburn but just about anything gives me heartburn anyways. Rich mocha and woody fruits in the finish, rich and hot at the end. A wonderful beer, hype confirmed!
2004 bottles sampled in early 2008 (3+ years aged)
Looksjust as wonderful as any bottle of KRE, but it’s fully consumed in oxidation. Generally nothing left in the nose but a hiuge, heavy dose of wet cardboard and dogfood, and only the faintest, most stale raspeberry flavor is left. Pretty disappointing. A fresh 2007 bottle was opened at the same time, and it was on par as the fresh 2007 from draft, rated below.
2007 vintage on draft at Kuhnhenns
Seems to float in the glass without much presence, no head, not much in the way of legs or lacing. The raspberry note is very nice, very fruity, pulpy, not overly sweet or candied, but the chocolate seems weak/thin, and doesn’t match the richness of the 2004 bottle. It doesn’t effect my numbers at all, and I hope to drink the 2004 again with about 4 years on it, and the 2007 with at least one to get a better sence of how this beer ages.
nhorween (502), New York, New York, USA
Aug 13, 2008 thanks cmubeerman, 04 bottle. Aroma of chocolate, raspberries, and dark fruit. Amazingly interesting and outrageously smooth. Flavor is dominated by raspberry, chocolate, and rounded toasty malt. Some alcohol, cherry, and fruit in the finish. Inspired.
illidurit (387), Santa Cruz, California, USA
Aug 9, 2008 Bottle at the RBSG 08 Grand Tasting. Pours the color of black cherry skin, no head. Aroma is heavenly and port-like, with raspberry puree, vanilla, sherry, and fudge. Flavor is dead-on raspberry hard candy, with chocolate and vanilla accent. Basically like drinking a raspberry cordial milkshake. Long lingering finish demands the next sip. Amazing dessert/nightcap/sweet-tooth beer.
AgentSteve (736), Livermore, California, USA
Aug 5, 2008 Man, this one was a sipper! More than that would overwhelm your senses! Attractive solid red pour with zero head. Nose is all over the place, with raspberries, vanilla, caramel, chocolate and cherries(?) The flavor matched in all the influences. Thanks to seaoflament for this taste at the RBSG.
Alldaydrinker (457), Norwood, Massachusetts, USA
Jul 31, 2008 Courtesy of Pepsican via mysteryswap 3.0. Pours a murky red hued brown color with light carbonation. Nose is pungent, vanilla, caramel, raspberries, other red berries, chocolate, candy and some red wine characteristics. Initial taste of caramel, fig, raspberries and vanilla-oak. Mid palate displays a touch of chocolate cake and alcohol. Finishing with tangy, raspberry, sweet caramel. Excellent palate duration. Body is medium body, velvelty smooth with touch of syrupy texture mouthfeel. Very interesting stuff.
jarspag (503), San Diego, California, USA
Jul 31, 2008 2004 bottle from UGH sampled on 7/30/08. This trade took place over a year ago! Thanks dude, been waiting to crack this at the right time, my birthday. Ridiculous nose on this thing, long, soft, soothing, arrogant..just so potent and mellow at the same time. Nose of heavy caramel, toffee, OAK, choco-raspberries. Palate is super full and velvety. Flavor was still pretty sweet with caramel, oak covered raspberry, port, and sherry like nuances. Finish was still pretty warming. Aromas were a touch over the flavor...can’t help but wonder if the age on this has taken something away. Nonetheless, pretty damn epic beer... nice.
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