Three Floyds Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

’04 bottle thanks to 1faststi for this RARE bottle. Creamy, millky, dark brown opaque appearance with small burnt tan head 4. Sweet roasted malt, a little alc 8. Creamy chocolate flavor with sweet roasted malt, coffee bitterness 8. Medium creamy body and viscous 4. With little oxidation present this beer has aged phenomonally well with the flavors blending nicely 17. I got my sample closer to the end of the bottle so it was a little bit more sludgey than others. As a side note every thing tastes better covered in ’04 darklord sludge including pretzels, crackers and several varities of cheeses.

While blackcats and m-80s burst all around me (Fourth of July) and the city of Chicago explodes in a fit of unbridled delinquency, sparks drift down upon us from the upstairs neighbor’s bottle rockets. A new noise drowns out all of them, a sort of angelic/satanic singing of *ahh uhh ahh* as the words "do you want me to crack open my ’07 darklord?" come from that john guy from the hampton inn. I pause, "really? really?!?!?!" "Sure" he says as he pulls the bottle out of the fridge. I pace around, making him nervous and just as antsy, this will be only my 3rd time trying this beer, as I have put away my 6 alotted, taking them to Michigan, lest I become impatient and open all of them in brazen ecstasy. I nice *sisssss* breaks out of of the silver wax and I watch as the motor oil thick brew is poored into 7 wine glasses to be shared amonst friends. My inner Golem almost comes out as my precious is shared with the unrefined few, little do they know what this beer will do and who it has turned. I take my glass and swirl the serious black, viscous brew. A small burnt brown emerges, a color of head never seen before or since in any brew. It is baeutiful, it is art. I allow my self a sniff, aromas abound, bourbon of the south, choclate of the inca, sweet, dark burned malt like the never ending hellfires, it is the perfume of love and rage. I dare not sip this brew of ecstasy for every sip, even the first, is one step closer to it being finished. I finally dare to break the seal and pearce my lips to the glass. I small tablespoon sized sip, just to get me started, I am overwhelmed by oak, vanilla, bourbon, choclate, molasses and charred wood. The body is as thick as it looks and the alc burns so good. I give over to the dark lord, he knows me like no other. I love this beer and sit and savor it and wait to see if the others tender pallets can’t handle its sadist attacks and pawn off their beers on me. None do. I will remember this dark lord experience like I remember the others: as rights of passage, and unbrazen joy.

Bottle ’07 vintage. Pours black. Seriously black. The head is even, firm, and a shade of brown. I can smell this stuff even while pouring a couple feet away from nose. It’s aromatic indeed, though not as much as its barrel-aged counterpart. A closer sniff reveals heavy dried fruits, plums, molasses, chocolate, earth, some roasted coffee, but not as much as I’d expect; rum, toasted pumpernickel, and chocolate covered banana. Wow, this stuff is thick. It’s like syrup in the mouth, I almost want to chew. More roasted notes are apparent in the flavor. It’s sweet, not overly so, but rich in flavors similar to cherries, molasses, chocolate. . .The finish is great, it reminds me of those little vanilla pastries from France. I get a bit more raisins and rum now, some wood and soil notes too. This is such a rich, thick beer. wait, is that some smoky, dark roasted coffee in the finish? I better sip on this for a while longer before I log all my thoughts. Okay, here’s a thought: This stuff is so thick and syrupy it’s ridiculous. The more this warms up, the more I like it. I have to say I was only very impressed on the first few sips, but at warmer temps my mind is being blown away. What a tremendous beer!
[June 12, 2008]
Bottle of the 2007 batch split with the dudes. Pours black as tar and just as viscous. The aroma is amazing. I thought that perhaps in my beer tasting growth this would no longer live up to its hype, but it does. I’m thinking Ten Fidy and Mephistopheles mixed together. The sweeter notes are here: rum, molasses, vanilla wafers, but also roasty espresso and hickory. Deep fruit hints are noted. The mouthfeel is oil. Rich, though appropriate, sweetness hits my palate with more hints of vanilla, molasses. A dry bittersweetness keeps things balanced and the alcohol is not detectable whatsoever. Layers of flavors wash over my tongue which all seem to culminate in one intense experience. This is the imperial stout, not leaps and bounds above the best, but certainly a leg up on even my favorites in the style.
Bottle of the 2008 thanks to BossHossBikes
Wow, this pours black. It’s even a shade darker than the 2007, only noticeable in the color of the head. Fruitier scents are indicated on this one. Cherries, Dr. Pepper, and definite rum hints again, though less intense than 2007. The palate is viscous again, just pure oil. A more earthy foundation is present, which I like, but again more emphasis on brighter fruits. Licorice, brownies, mocha, no much roast going on here. The 2008 vintage really reminds me of 2007 Mephistopheles, just with less alcohol presence. Actually, the alcohol is completely hidden. My score reflects the mighty 2007 vintage.

Rating # 666!!! 2006 bottle. Special thanks to jsquire for the hookup. Enjoyed this with my friend Tony, his girl Jesse, and of course my baby to celebrate the beginning of a much needed July shutdown week. Nose of coffee, toffee, cocoa, berries, maple syrup, caramel, vanilla, resin, and alcohol. Pours black with black highlights. The mostly diminishing creamy head is the color of caramel candies, and leaves light lace. The brew starts with a huge malty front, has a lightly acidic sweet & warm middle, and a roasted fruity finish. The full body is chewy and soft. The finish feels slightly cloying.

Sampled at the Lake country beer and music festival in hartland as a "surprise" beer! Pours Black thick syrup with a huge coffee nose. Taste of sweet coffee molasses and chocolate. As far as I. Stouts go, this is the king of the jungle for sure!

Silver wax 2007 bottle, thanks Mad Indian for sharing this beauty with me. Really cool label i am saving this bottle. Finally after such a long wait to sample this beer, the anticipation was rising up in me as we popped the cap. The pour was dark with a small cola colored head beautiful and the darklord said "bow to me". Aroma of Chocolate, roast, dark fruit, molasses, coffee, and hops. The flavor is bitter and chocolatey upfront, roast, molasses, very thick, coffee, sweetness, dark fruit, and finishes with a roasty bitterness. Excellent brew! As i finished the last drop, i did bow to the Dark Lord.

2007 bottle . Sampled with Stegosaurus. "OH DARK LORD HOW I WORSHIP THEE". Black thick pour with no head or carbonation. Aroma of carmel malt, roast, dark chocolate, alcohol and essence of ambrosia ! Thick malty, roasted chocolate taste with a hint of smokiness. A hint of hop in the back end, dry and smooth. MY PIECE IS HARD !!!! THIS WAS EXCELLENCE AT ITS PEAK !!!!

bottle. pours a very pitch black color. thick and black. it has a small very dark brown head. there is dark fruits in the aroma. it is very thick and roasty. lots of dark fruits. its is quite vinous. exellent beer.

Pours like dirty motor oil with a one finger tan/orange head. Swirling the glass gives elegant sheeting that is very pleasing. Aroma is sweet malts and alcohol. Tons of alcohol. Taste is primarily cocoa and black cherry. Lots of malts and lots of alcohol. Mouthfeel is thick. Not the most drinkable thing in the world. I would be very satisfied with a 6oz serving. Luckily I had a friend to split the bottle. None of the rumored sludge in the bottle unless it just had not settled. Will re-rate this winter.