 PWalk (332), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Jul 22, 2004
Almost jet black in the glass producing a small head. Very complex on the palate with hints of chocolate, coffee and some sweet flavor, almost vanilla at the end. The bourbon aroma just adds to the flavors making this a very smooth and drinkable stout. Now if I could only get my hands on some more of it.
FlacoAlto (2073), Tucson, Arizona, USA
Aug 20, 2008 April 2004 Bottling (or there abouts); Sampled August 2008
A vigorous pour into my 25cl tulip glass produces both aromas of rum and bourbon as well as a four-finger thick, darkly brown stained, dark tan colored head. The beer is quite black though it will show a flash of color if held up directly to the light. Spicy, buttery, vanilla laden, Bourbon-like aromas definitely dominate the nose. The vanillin notes are perhaps the most dominant note here and are definitely enjoyable. This is as harshly alcoholic / boozy smelling as I would have expected and there is also a significant, lightly toasted coconut aroma here that becomes quite distinctive. There is perhaps a touch or toasty malt aromatic notes here, but the barrel clearly dominates the aroma, yet remains smooth enough that I don’t find it objectionable. I wonder if the couple of years have helped to mellow this beer out.
The body is somewhat thin for an Imperial stout and has likely lost a bit of heft over the years. Malt flavors and alcohol combine to contribute a sweetness to this brew that is somewhat light. Spicy oak notes yield to buttery oak components that sit on top of vanilla flavors. The dark grain flavors are much more noticeable in the flavor and contribute a finish of espresso, some tart burnt flavors, chocolate notes (that pair well with the vanillin components), a dusty cocoa note and a touch of astringent burnt grain that contributes a touch of bitterness in the finish. Some flavors of roasted, dried figs and blackened rains help to round out things just a bit. As the beer warms up a touch of chalky malt becomes noticeable in the finish, but only just.
Definitely dominated by the Bourbon barrel aging, but it keeps from being harsh (especially in the nose where it is quite smooth). Not bad and perhaps even a bit better than I was expecting.
nearbeer (1198), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
Aug 19, 2008 650 ml. Opaque with a small and lasting head. Aroma of chocolate, caramel, oat, coffee, and slight whiskey. Flavors of vanilla, whiskey, chocolate, caramel, oats and some light dried wood that seems more like hickory. Medium-heavy body is silky smooth and has some alcohol warming.
Imaena (212), Portland, Maine, USA
Aug 17, 2008 Bomber 08’. Black pour with thick brown or coffee color head. Coffee, chocolate, and wood in the nose. Thick in the mouth oily and flavorful. Roasted malts and bitter sweetness. Solid imperial but theres more out there...
Jblauvs (149), Manchester, New Hampshire, USA
Aug 17, 2008 Black pour. The slight penetration of red in center. Aromas of milk chocolate and oak woodiness. An ineresting beer, Thin mouthfeel but silky and flavorful. Burnt malts, sweet dark fruits, end is alcohol and more burnt notes. Not a front runner in the style, but a solid and interesting example
derekbang (100), Indiana, USA
Aug 9, 2008 Kinda blah. Best part is the appearance - thick head and heavy carbonation. Smooth and not as strong - thin mouthfeel for an IRS. Flavor is pretty mild - roasted malt more than anything.
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