Three Floyds Vanilla Bean Barrel Aged Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout

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)!

The closet thing to a perfect beer I have ever had. Flat out delicious in every possible way. Pours thick and heavy. So black that it stains the cup. No lacing. Aroma is yeaty and full of chcolate and vanilla, some bread, cherries, and candy as well. Richness everywhere, in the aroma and taste. This one is creamy as creamy can be, just incredibly smooth...thick, but never TOO thick, a perfect mouthfeel. Flavor is f’n delicious. Thick and chewey, with lots of roasted barley, vanilla, chocolate covered cherries, cocoa powder, oak, and yeast, also notes of coffee. Some dark fruit and syrup notes as well. Roasted malts make themselves known at times, but the vanilla and chocolate covered cherries pack the punch. Alcohol is present, but doesn’t feel like 14% whatsoever, but everything else is bold, yet smooth and totally drinkable. Flavors swirl in your mouth and are constantly changing, even the same mouthful will evolve before you swallow. The vanilla is always present, but only adds complexity and flavor, it never dominates. Very warming, but never at the expense of the brew itself. Everything strikes a great balance in getting the beer to feel and taste exactly as it should. This one is thick, oily, and bold. The vanilla beans are the PERFECT compliment to DL, and should be an actual ingredient. This beer is like drinking heaven.

had on tap at DLD ’08 a monster not for the faint of heart.thick black and oily in appearence with little carbanation true to its nature a real beast in the stout class. taste sweet of honey,molasess,chocolate vanilla beans and wood,creamy feel on mouth and tounge like a thick shake very extreme and very complex, maybe not for everyone. yeah my first 5

Just tried the Vanilla Oak Aged DL, and holy crap, i’ve never had a beer that i thought was worthy of a perfect rating until now. This has the consistency of molasses, the aroma of bourbon, vanilla, and the darkest malts. And tastes like the most viscous complex, and complete imperial stout i had ever exposed my tastebuds to. Perfect 5, my only regret is that they ran out before i could make it home and back with a few sanitized bottles and my bottle capper to save a few.

On Tap.. just had the pleasure of having this at Three Floyds Brew Pub. Pours black with creamy beige head. Thick molasses like, dark malt...Big Vanilla Bean nose....OMG so smooth complex long lasting on the palate,well worth the wait.This Imperial Stout ...is... A number 1