DMRz (230), Durham, North Carolina, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 6/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Jan 20, 2007 Deep black with a short brown head. Nose of aged rum and merlot with a roasted malt backbone. A very rich thick beer with plenty of coffee and toasted malt that is very pleasant to drink. nearbeer (1887), Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | 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. bdigital (593), Ft Wayne, Indiana, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 6/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Jan 3, 2009 Bottle...pitch black pour with a rocky tan head. Very dry, oaky nose on this with the usual suspects of dark fruits, dark malts and dark chocolate. What separates this is the woodsiness that imparts itself so wonderfully though. Full body, sticky and oily. Dark chocolate, black cherries and some vanilla bean noted in the flavor...finishes dry and woodsy. BrewmeisterEd (61), USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | May 22, 2008 An upper tier beer...pours dark with a compact head reminiscent of Guinness draught - smells smoky and sour. Full mouth feel with an appropriate amount of carbonation. An after taste of cherry tobacco is present, but subtle enough to be a plus instead of a distraction. If I was served this in a blind tasting, I would have said it was either a rich stout or a heavy Scotch ale. I always thought ’imperial’ referred to a heavier abv%, but this one comes in at a respectable 8% - definitely not shooting for the barley wine percentages and it shows as there is no ’hot’ taste associated with this brew. I don’t taste the vanilla advertised, and I’m thinking the ’sour’ note I detect is the oak? Regardless, a tasty brew and one worth revisiting.... Drink4Satan (586), Bristol, Rhode Island, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Nov 9, 2007 Pours an inpenetrable black with a moderate, microbeble brown head that fades to a solid cap. The aroma has lightly sour and heavily alcoholic overtones above notes of star anise, roasted malts (less then average for style), sweet mocha, very subtle dark fruit and has an eggnog-like buttery quality. The flavour is bittersweet cocoa, smoke, oak/vanilla, bourbon, licorice and a roasted malt and hop bitter finish. There is nice balance of hop citrus and chocolate/coffee malts. Again, alcohol is very prevalent in the taste. The palate creamy and full-bodied with a long sticky finish. There is way too much booze for such a modest abv of 8%, but for $5 a bomber, this is some pretty good stuff. badlizard (2416), Berkeley, California, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Feb 21, 2008 vintagecellar Black with a tan head. Chocolate and mild whiskey aroma and taste with a dry finish. Decent. Speedle (262), Mid-Atlantic (Tour 2007-2008), Virginia, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Apr 3, 2008 chocolate and coffee ground aroma .... thick and creamy head ... bitter coffee initial taste ... creamy feel .. alcohol finish ... raisins, prunes ... BMan1113VR (2981), Los Angeles (and Dallas), Texas, USA
| 3.9 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Mar 29, 2009 Bottle thanks to daknole, shared with angrypirate06 and ilovedarkbeer. Pours with a creamy tan head over a pitch black body. Aroma is of oak, chocolate, slightly vinous, cocoa powder, alcohol and coffee. Taste is woody with chocolate, ash and brandy. Light carbonation. Quite enjoyable.
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