Three Floyds Vanilla Bean Barrel Aged Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

Name: Vanilla Bean Dark Lord
Date: 08/09/2008
Mode: Draft
Source: Brewfest, Great Taste

Appearance: black, wispy brown head,
Aroma: sweet chocolate and vanilla aroma with lots of bourbon,
Body: huge sticky body,
Flavor: rich chocolate flavor, lots of vanilla sweetness, molasses, touch of roasted,

Aroma: 8/10; Appearance: 7/10; Flavor: 9/10; Palate: 10/10; Overall: 18/20
Rating: 4.4/5.0
Drinkability: 8/10
Score: ****/4

Draft... DLD ‘08... This beer rocks!... Pitch black ale with a small, creamy, light brown head. The aroma is a splendid intermingling of warm bourbon, luxurious vanilla, dark chocolate, light molasses and tobacco. Ultra full-bodied and velvety with a mineral oil mouthfeel and tingly carbonation. The flavor provides hearty gobs of sticky-sweet chocolate, vanilla and bourbon with a calming bitterness and woodsy undertone. The lengthy finish is rich, bittersweet and smooth. Even better than the original and oak barrel aged versions of Dark Lord... it’s the vanilla beans!... not the mirrors (whining little bitch)!

Had a bunch of this at DLD because, besides my glass, a number of generous folk didn’t want me to miss it, so I thankfully drank some more. Very thick dark brown (in bright sunlight) body with a few stray bubbles in lieu of a head, this had an aroma of dark-doughed chocolate chip cookies with a generous splashing of vanilla extract, dark roasted malt & barley, anise, oak, alcohol, dark dried fruit, and hard nuts. Very creamy in the mouth. The flavor was thicker than the nose and chewy with tastes echoed from same. Tasty, sweet, complex - - - It gave me the urge to chase it with a strong Stout.

<font size=-4><a href=http://www.ratebeer.com/events-detail.asp?eventID=6824>Dark Lord Day 2008 at Three Floyds, Munster, IN, 4/26/2008.<font size=-1>

DLD 2008: Opaque with a small lasting frothy head and some lace, very oily legs as well. The aroma has notes of sweet chocolate, vanilla, fig, prune, molasses, and some alcoholic vapours. The taste starts very tangy and surprisingly fruity before the chocolate, roast and vanilla kicks in. There is a mild herbal and resiny bitterness as well as some espresso on the finish. The mouth feel is huge and rich, oily and very sticky. Noticeable warming on the aftertaste. Well A very good monster beer, I prefer regular DL over this, got to be a touch too sweet and syrupy for it’s own good. Let the bitching commence for it will likely be another top 50 Imperial Stout now.

Rating 3k. Theres no doubt a beer tastes better when you’re in a good mood, having a good time. Sprinkle in being surrounded by some of the best beers in the world and a beautiful sunny day in Munster, Indiana and you have the makings of the perfect storm. Its a good thing this beer lives up to the hype. My first taste of the original Dark Lord was a moving experience that I still remember to this day. This stuff although much different than the original, almost has the same impact. This years DL is probably the best to date. Nicely hopped, no sweet cloyingness, and no alcohol burn at all. Add the fresh flavor of vanilla and you get this stuff. Bravo, now onto 4k.