 cheapdark (1607), Monacatootha, Pennsylvania, USA
May 28, 2007
12 oz stubby brown bottle from Vintage Estates, thanks Nuts. The price was only $2. The pout of this is opaque dark, just like used shovelhead oil. Good aroma of sweetish roastiness, an indicator this will be a killer to the taste buds. The taste is not dissapointing, dark, terrible and acrid. Back of the throat burned and charred sensations overwhelm. Tastes like lye, beer that has been filtered thru old campfire remains. Decent low medium carbonation. A loathing flavor that only a masochist could enjoy. Really mows over the girlie taste buds. Alky medicinal quality of bitterness. Does not hide the alky content what so ever. For a lager lover, this is not enjoyable, has no manners. Will not buy again, very difficult to enjoy. Just what I expected from a good impy stout and I conceed that impy stout lovers will savor this stuff. Overall, impy stout is not my style, hence the low rating because I rate by how much I enjoy it, I am not a proffessional. Finish leaves a shorp acrid lasting impression on the back of the palate. Give me an Old Heathen for a chaser please. Quite an experience, will not buy again, but had to taste it at least once. On par with Bell’s Expedition.
944play (30), Austin, Texas, USA
Oct 11, 2008 12oz in bordeaux glass. Pours black with thick brown head. Rich, spicy, grassy are the first aroma adjectives. Then cola. Then coffee, but like roastING coffee where it’s astringent and phenolic. Very clean up front, sweet, and then there’s a wave of middle and finishing characters, like licorice, chocolate, pine, pepper, and cinnamon. Old Rasputin is, FWIW, my prototype for RIS. I had my first one right about ten years ago, and it’s just as good today. I just have a much better grasp on what 9% is now.
twoskylights (9), Boise, Idaho, USA
does not count  Oct 9, 2008 What a powerful, gorgeous and friendly stout! It pours with a chocolate drizzle, leaving a rusty brown, creamy head. It is as dark as a priest’s cassock at compline. The mouthfeel is happily playful and unoppressive while being strong, fresh and weighty all at once. The nose gives way to the expected and hoped for charcoal, cacao, cinder, maple syrup, butternut, caramel and cream. And of course the flavor: a ready and welcome transition of what you get on the nose directly to the tongue, a rare occurrence for most brews. As a final note, the ABV is high: 9%. I like this. Seek it out, even. When it gets in the way, it’s rather annoying. This one masks the alcohol with structure and integrity. Thank God for the coming of fall and this beer to share it with.
blutt59 (798), Dallas, Texas, USA
Oct 9, 2008 bottle, balck color with a khaki ring, nose is malty canned fruits, flavors of coffee, caramel and spices, finishes very solid with a warm chocolate cake flavor
gameface23 (115), Haverhill, Massachusetts, USA
Oct 8, 2008 Updated: Oct 11, 2008Black body, tan head. The aroma is of coffee grounds, bakers chocolate and roasted barley. The taste starts out with burnt malt and finishes with very dark chocolate, while never actually tasting bitter. Well worth the price.
Uaru02 (14), Simpsonville, Kentucky, USA
Oct 3, 2008 Nearly perfect stout. I am leaving room for the perfect one wich I haven’t tried yet. But, this is the best one yet (10/08). A truly enjoyable beer that you can savor each sip. Good for dead of winter days lounging by the fire. I must have if you can find it.
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