4.9 AROMA 10/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 10/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 19/202004 Bomber tasted in a snifter.
I’m writing this with a solemn tone. I have to. Appearance is well pulled espresso with a hint of brown to denote body. Espresso-like crema for a head, with lacing of same. The nose is muted power and the poverty-stricken pitch black of Siberian winter nights, along with prunes, molasses and whispers of whisky. The taste is the perfect balance of sweetness, strength, bite and warmth. THIS is what I thought this style could aspire to. My Lord, what a philtre.
4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
I had underestimated this IRS from Stone. Wow, it’s excellent. Great aroma, strong flavors, good viscosity. A winner that I’ll happily buy again. This is for the "2013 Classic Release".
4.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
What a treat! Pours black as lava rock with a tan/brown head. Aroma is toasted, roasted, malts, and faint nutty notes. Taste is toasty, malts, nutty, faint raisin, and faint vanilla. The finish is complex with elements of smoothness (slightly herbal), creaminess, fruitiness (raisin mostly) and bitterness that intertwine into a delicious result. It almost has a deception of being faintly smokey... really nice. Really exceptional!
4.5 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
Solid! Jet back. Dark cacao, decent hops, coffee, hint of smoke. Great IRS!
2.3 AROMA 3/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 4/10 PALATE 2/5 OVERALL 9/20
Black as night, solid, tightly-bubbled, deep brown head. Much less robust of an aroma than I’d like; enough booze and malt to border on medicinal. The flavor is understated, and there is some bothersome medicinal presence that maintains into the palate... a palate that is WEAK for an impy stout. Overall, not enough for me to want to cheer for, and a few detrimental qualities that knock it down a notch. Maybe an off bottle; will revisit.
3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 15/20
Bottle from Bruisin Ales. Pours black with a quarter inch of khaki foam. Slight roasted notes on the nose. Big dark,bitter chocolate on the tongue. Finishes clean. There’s a slight alcohol burn on the finish. Solid for style.
4.2 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
On tap at Chuck's. Great beer as always. Funny how I normally hold it up as a top example of an Imperial Stout but compared with Parabola and Nitro Old Rasputin, it lags behind in all categories. Still great stuff.
---Rated via Beer Buddy for iPhone
4.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
On tap, pour at bricks. Silky black with cocoa head. Aroma is big rich malt, chocolate, burnt fig, some char. Taste is burnt malt, roasted oatmeal, vanilla, toffee. Super creamy body, perfect carbonation.
4.1 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 16/20
Opaque black color with a small beige rim. Chocolate, liquorice aroma. Bitter chocolate taste, very rich and flavorful, almost no alcoholic burn. Full palate, but not overly cloying, very enjoyable and flavorful.
3.8 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Very decent. Pours pitch black, lovely caramel head. It’s very heavy on the burned sensations - sweet and coffee all upfront and rich on the finish, pretty much what you expect from an imperial stout. Like most of Stone’s drinks - very good but nothing special.
4.3 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
22oz bottle of 2013 Vintage pours a dark brown color with out much head. Intense color that looks like it sticks to the glass when swirled. Great aroma that increases as it warms. Intense flavors and yet so well balanced. A strong bitterness and mild sweetness. Roasted malt and coffee. Smooths out after some breathing time. Tasted alongside the 2013 Espresso IRS.
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