Old Chimneys Good King Henry Special Reserve

Brewed by Old Chimneys
Style: Imperial Stout
Diss, England

[bottle @ RBESG 2009, Grand Tasting] Sweet black molasses aroma with some burnt almond and vanilla. Oily black with no top. Slightly salty, smooth, velvety molasses flavour with sweet pumpernickel and not a lick of ethanol. Thick body and sweet but not cloying; low carbonation.

2007 bottle. Pours a dark, rich black-brown colour from which no light may escape. Nearly flat on the pour with a hint of brown head. Crazy strong aroma of bourbon and oak with rock sugar and vanilla. This may be the finest stout aroma I have ever experienced. The flavour is well balanced with lighter vanilla bourbon, green grapes, milk chocolate, and some nice roasted malt and earthy hops to finish. As much as I do enjoy the flavour, it is just a touch thin for the style. However, I am amazed at how well the alcohol is concealed and the balance between sweet and sour flavours. A very fine brew that is a real pleasure to drink.

Bottle of the 2007. Black pour with little head. Dense, multi-layered aroma of smoke, dark chocolate liqueur, whiskey, vanilla, espresso and charcoal. Flavor is very lightly sweet, surprisingly dry, really, and not quite as multi-dimensional. Hints of scotch, charcoal, dried licorice root. Elegant.

One of the darkest beers I’ve ever seen with no head, thick and rich looking. Big Rich vine smell some roast malt and alchohol too. Red fruit and some whisky. Very rich and fruity on the tongue, chocolately, strong coffee bitterness mixed with sweet red fruit and red wine. Some vanilla and alcohol warming. Excellent!

Vintage 2006. Brewed 14.11.06. Best before 14.11.11. Very dark brown. Leathery date and fig aroma. Sweet, vinous Christmas cake taste, oily, syrupy and intensely approachable. Leaves a warming glow in the stomach after the first sip and a general feeling of ease and well-being after the second. This is seriously good, and so it should be for about four quid.

Colore nero,abbondante schiuma cremosa, che cala velocemente. Meraviglioso profumo, malto tostato, cioccolato, cuoio e forse formaggio. Buona consistenza del corpo, volume in bocca perfetta, caramello e sapore di cioccolato, vaniglia, liquirizia, cuoio, qualche acidità.Decisamente ottima.

From the Bottle at RBESG Harlequin, Sheffield 19/07/2009 Beige head. Black strong in alcohol and rich on the palate with a crisp and slightly bitter whisky and coffee roast finish.

Bottle courtesy of "hannont". Colour... very dark brown with some light shining ’round the edges (when held to the light) and no head. Nose... dark raisins, brown sugar and garden bonfire. palate... smoky, phenolic, tangy, coating, rustic, wet earth, tobacco, Christmas pudding, dark chocolate and a lengthy finish.