 arondee (138), Tucson, Arizona, USA
Jul 4, 2009 Let me start off by saying I don’t typically like stouts. I’m a double IPA sorta guy, and the whole coffee things isn’t what I typically like. The pour is straight up black, looks like motor oil and has no head at all. Very little carbonation and no lacing. The taste is full of alcohol and dark bitter chocolate with just a touch of sweetness. The bitterness really balances things out for me, it reminds me of the bitterness of a good IPA mixed with a ton of dark chocolate. I really (surprisingly) enjoyed this.
DownSideFX (1), Newtonville, Massachusetts, USA
does not count  Jul 2, 2009 ACBF 2009, 2007 batch. Dark and smooth. Great complexity and just the right amount of sweet. I had The Darkness right after and this one would give that a run for its money honestly.
Definitely tastes better when its a little warmer. Have a spring 2008 bottle I’ll be opening soon, can’t wait.
thirdeye11 (19), Texas, USA
Jul 1, 2009 Updated: Jul 2, 2009Pours an extremely dark brown with a dark brown 1-2 finger head. Nose is of roasted malt but lightly so, anise spice, semi-sweet chocolate and alcohol when coaxed/swirled. Taste is as complex as the smell; so many components. Delicious milk chocolate, slightly roasted malts, spicy and the best part: the creamiest beer I’ve had! I am surprised at the palette finish. It is world class with no equal as far as I know. No lingering bitter at all.
Recommended to drink it at warmer temperatures. It simply isn’t as good cold. Not even close actually.
graham515 (382), Houston, Texas, USA
Jun 29, 2009 Bought this with the FULL intention of saving it til wintertime. I don’t know why I had such faith in myself. Pours jet black into the glass with a thin tan head. Aroma is all kinds of excellent with notes of vanilla and dark chocolate. Flavor is a near religious experience with just the right combination of chocolate, alcohol and roasted grain. Palate is so silky smooth I would liken it to a great chocolate milk. Now I have to buy another one and hope I can hold off on it til winter rolls around...
bleeng (473), Spring near Beersel, Texas, USA
Jun 29, 2009 2009 bomber. Solid black with a nice thick tan head. Nose is chocolately, malty, a bit of alcohol, and some spiciness. Taste is very rich and chocolately, nice touch of burnt malts with the alcohol upfront. Easy going down-in a dangerous sense. Full fluffy mouth. Overall a well done beer and I’ll search out more of these.
ljstephenson (100), Lawton, Oklahoma, USA
Jun 27, 2009 Deep black pour with a thick brown head, aroma is jampacked with roasted coffee and some chocolate, flavor is very sweet with roasted coffee, chocolate, a bit of dried raisin, flavor stays from beginning to end, very malty and hides the alcohol well, worth the wait for sure.
ajbitt (37), , Indiana, USA
Jun 26, 2009 Aroma: wow. where to start. Coffee grinds, slight caramel, alcohol heat, roasted, almost burnt malt smell, chocolate. Appearance: opaque, dark brown, basically black (as expected!). Small beige head. Flavor: wow. oats. almost sweet, gentle. caramel. chocolate. coffee. wow. Palate: lighter on the palate than I would have thought. For a Russian stout, i’d say it’s a 3/5 on weight and viscosity. Tiny bubbles! Carbonation present from start to finish giving a bubble, crisper finish to what could have been a heavy syrupy beast based on the aroma. Nice surprise. Refreshing. Overall: Wow. Just a fantastic Imperial Russian Stout.
Guinness4Duff (492), Tallahassee (and Poconos, PA), Florida, USA
Jun 26, 2009 Pint on tap at the Stone tasting in Tallahassee. Dark black pour with a tan head. Aroma is coffee like, roasted chocolate. Heavy, roasted, and just pretty outstanding. If you like the roasted stouts this one fits the bill, less of the dark fruit flavors you find in many other imperials. Outstanding.
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