thenick (742), North Bellmore, New York, USA Aug 31, 2008 Tap @ Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, CA. Pours almost jet-black with a creamy tan head. Aroma is an explosion of malt, cocoa, and coffee notes, with alcohol detected as well. Taste is malt, slight vanilla bean, and cocoa up front, dissolving into heavy coffee and a slight alcohol burn at the end. The beer remains rather balanced throughout, with a long and bitter finish to it. It was a very solid offering, though the strength of each of the flavors may have slightly affected the balance. kennydiaz (182), staten island, New York, USA Aug 28, 2008 ALMOST BLACK IN COLOR WITH A NICE CREAMY HEAD. GOES DOWN SMOOTH BURSTING WITH FLAVOR. ONE OF THE WORLDS BEST STOUTS. Meikman (5), Allston, Massachusetts, USA does not count Aug 26, 2008 Poured out of the bomber, this has an impressively inky, black black color. Nothing beats the first sip through the creamy dark brown head. This meal feels like a double thick frappe, and tastes twice as good. Real smooth. One of my favorites, and my first rating. kevd193213 (477), Hope Valley, Rhode Island, USA Aug 26, 2008 Bomber. Oily black pout with a thick brown head. Aroma of burnt malt, coffee, nuts and chocolate. Taste of licorice, chocolate and coffee with a velvet mouthfeel. Long lasting slightly bitter finish. BallyLoser (134), Redmond, Washington, USA Aug 23, 2008 Bottle: Incredible. Solid black pour. Nice blend of chocolate, coffee and expresso. Not a strong alcohol taste for the high content. One of the best I have had! ElGaucho56 (386), USA Aug 22, 2008 22 oz bomber. Pours a jet black with a very dark mocha brown head. Nose is quite deliciously complicated, with an intense burnt bread note as well as dark toffee, roasted coffee, and something like chocolate blueberries. Rooty licorice bitterness and baker’s chocolate battle it out on the palate, while the finish is equal parts minty hops and lovely vanilla bourbon warmth. Yes, this is a nice impy. daknole (2801), Plantation, Florida, USA Aug 17, 2008 Bomber, and yes finally! Balck pour and a nice brown head. Aromas of chocolate, prunes, coffee, booze. Flavors of nice chocolaote, espresso, dark dried fruits, HELL YES! HELL YES! MMMMMM! tagz (334), USA Aug 16, 2008 draft. i wasn’t as blown away as i thought i’d be by this one, but perhaps i need a full pint to give it a true rating. certainly a well rounded RIS - dominated by licorice, thick but not too cloying, solid roasty bitter, alcohol isn’t noticeable in flavor. i guess i was just expecting to get blown away and i tend to prefer cocoa and coffee over licorice flavors. definitely a solid beer and i wouldn’t think of turning one down, but best in the world? not for me.. yet.
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