4.7 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
Aroma of grape juice, some alcohol, dark bready maltiness, and punch(?). Very dark and opaque reddish-brown, with an attractive but not overly large head and some fine effervescence. Flavor profile is of course complex, with some chocolate cake, a dark berry-like fruity glaze, a slight alcoholic warmth and some spicy hop and yeast flavors. Herbal, spiced, malty aftertaste with a very prolonged and warming finish. This beer has a few things in common with the Westy 12, one of which is the myriad of flavors that one gets just sitting and tasting, long after swallowing, even. Deservedly a Top 10 beer. Can I get a ’hell yeah!’ Cheers, Scott!
4.7 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
I try to describe beers by the setting in which they would be perfect. Each beer has a home in some time/place. This beer would be the perfect post-dinner drink after inviting the woman I love to marry me. God-willing, if she is the right girl, this beer would be her suggestion. I could taste a little more alcohol on the nose than some previous reviewers, but it’s a warm, sensuous alcohol that invites rather than warns. Perceptible chocolate tones and a strange grassy-ness at the back of the palate. Lingering warmth. A fantastic and complex brew.
4.6 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
UPDATED: MAR 18, 2003 Best before 02 03 05. Dark,cloudy,reddish brown color. Minimal head. Aroma leaves me wondering if I am worthy.
Biscuity-cereal like aromas are focus but the fermenting fruit and chocolate flavors let themselves be known also. Perfect carbonation let the complexities of flavor shine straight from the first sip.Starts out with a grape like acidity that coats the tounge while chocolate,raisin,and musty yeastiness hide the alcohol.(Sort of) As it breathes it's body barely weakens but it gains flavors.Especially the finish.This beer has so much flavor and complexity I hate to even judge it.Well worth the money.
4.4 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
UPDATED: OCT 26, 2012 Velvety port wine allusions approach chocolate cake flavors…Sensuous licorice develops rich raisins which languorously move into inebriating alcohol warmth...A world-class sipper which rarely disappoints...
4.7 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
WOW! I usually get a little let down when I finally try the high ranking beers. This one delivered on all the hype. Aroma is so complex that you get something different every time you inhale. Pricey but worth it.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Excellent. A somewhat nutty aroma. Nice dark brown color. I taste the 11.3% in this one.
4.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
Probably the most complex beer I’ve had to date. Great appearance! Lots of carbonation on the tongue (too much?). Striking aroma, notes of licorice and...oddly...a light red Italian sauce, perhaps suggestive of oregano and basil. That is muted in the tasting, where I get much more chocolate/toffee and a nice balanced level of sweetness. At the same time, slight bitterness, all in harmony with one another. And this is 11.3% alcohol? I can hardly sense it--except when I stand up.
4.9 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/20
Fruity, sweet, full-bodied and complex aroma and taste. Hides the high level of alcohol very well. A fantastic Trappist.
4.4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
yes truly one of the greats. it must be drank to appreciate one of my favorites when in belgium
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 19/20
UPDATED: MAY 15, 2003 I had to rerate this; my previous rating sucked. Deep brown, with a beige head that leaves a surprisingly small amount of lace. Dried fruit, caramel, oak. Alcohol is apparent enough to prevent me from drinking this wonderful stuff too quickly, and abundant enough to force me to go back and edit all my typos.
|
