Huge thanks to pilsnerpeter for the chance to try this one. Deep pitch black beer with a thin creamy dark brown head. The aroma is incredibly intense. Very rich dark 80% chocolate, tootsie roll character. Black licorice and a very interesting herbal/cocoa aroma. As it warms it gets a little bit muddy. The flavour is fairly boozy. Soft peppery spiciness, a touch of pine and even a light earthiness. Not really tart per se, but there is a lightness that is quite unusual for an impy. It’s big and slightly sweet but it isn’t syrupy. Light sage like herbal character. Man, this stuff is very tasty and very unique. Fairly savoury character with a lingering roastiness. Man, this stuff is so good. A lightly pruny sweetness as it warms up... awesome stuff.

2005 vintage in bottle sampled at Akkurat in Stockholm, Sweden. Pours pitch black with thin dark brown foam head. Aroma consists of roasted chocolate maltiness, coffee, toffee, caramel and loads of tart oakiness and bourbon. This beer is extremely smooth and quaffable. Roasty flavor up front with smooth creamy center and sweet bitter dry finish. Flavor dominated by excellent oak and bourbon flavors that are balanced with chocolate, coffee, toffee, caramel and a dry hop finish. Excellent! Lives up to the hype and the $65 price tag.

250. Thanks, Thewolf&#033; <br />This is the best beer I have ever had. <br /> Jet black. Brunt tan, dense, creamy, thick head. Huge roast, chocolate, plum, vanilla nose. Creamy body just a little higher than medium. Roast, chocolate, oak, plum, and vanilla on the mid-palate. Long backing chocolate finish. Some beers just live up to the hype that surrounds them, even if the hype is huge. This is definitely one of them.

Bottle at Pikkulintu. Very dark brown. Nose is more dominated by chocolates than the ’normal’ version. This is an extraordinary brew; significantly rounder and more balanced as well as more sophisticated than the normal Stormaktsporter &#40;which is a fantastic brew as such&#41;. Noble touches such as truffle and oak. Great.

25 cl bottle, 2006. Huge thanks to Yngvar for this my 1000th rating&#033; and 100th Imperial Stout. Dark brown with some tan froth around the edges. Nose is molasses, licorice, cocoa and espresso. Medium body with a light tingle. Taste is dark roast, prunes, oak and bourbon. Smooth dry finish with lingering chocolate. Rich and complex but not overdone.