1997 vintage bottle. Big thick malty aroma, rich dark chocolate, burnt wood and assorted nuts, vanilla beans, wow. Zero head, very thick yet not as motor oil like as i was expecting, black color with interesting tints of ruby red. Describing the taste of this beer is very difficult, unlike anything i’ve ever tried, but actually in a good way. Dark cherry cream dominates the flavor in the beginning, becomes much more rich tasting after with dark chocolate syrup, bourbon and brandy-like flavors and a very roasty yet mild and sweet finish and linger. Very thick and strong beer, yet no real presence of alcohol, smooth the whole way. This one was pretty wild, highly underrated (or maybe this bottle just aged well), maybe not exactly to my liking because everything doesn’t quite come together for me, then again its really hard to compare this beer to others because there really is nothing else like it, but man do i appreciate its creation.

1995 bottle courtesy Eithcubes. I had to try this after reading so many different views on the beer. Pours black and chunky with absolutely no carbonation. Aroma is chocolate malt, maple syrup and the dreaded soy sauce. Rolling around in the glass gives a really nasty looking yellowish film with little bits of disintegrating malt that look like coffee grounds. Taste is burnt maple syrup, chocolate malt, slightly boozy (although not bad for an 18% brew) and a cloying sweetness. I can kind of see where they were going with this, but this bottle didn’t age as it was suppose to and became a gloppy chunky mess. Until I get a better bottle, thumbs down.

I saw this in the store and couldn’t believe my eyes. Needless to say I bought a few. What a legendary brew. Very dark thick pour into the snifter. No carbonation and no head. Has more of a fine cognac or brandy feel to it than beer. Lots of chocolate on the nose with hints of raisin and oak. Warm sweet flavor, perfect for sipping. Delicious. Amazing. Worth trying if you can find it. Mr. Koch, you’ve done it again.

1995 Bottle: Finally I got to try this...uh masterpiece. Dark amber, viscous pour with no head. Nose had notes of alcohol soaked raisins, oak, chocolate malt and teriyaki. Very sticky/syrupy sweet body...flavor had a much stronger dark fruit tone to it but even it couldn’t overpower the teriyaki and soy sauce base. There also were some chocolate notes present...very hot.

bottle, 2005, black pour with no head, aroma of preserved plum and prune, flavor of teriyaki, soy, leather, licorice and burnt meat, finish is viscous and lasting