 eaglefan538 (2020), Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Jun 3, 2006 Updated: Oct 2, 2007
Re-rate in yet another Sept 07 horizontal, the clear winner, kicking the buttocks of DL07, DFHWWS06, HF Boris, and Expedition (but Expedition was a darned close 2nd). No new comments, this is KING of the Impy Stouts for sure!. Re-rate, July 07 after Westv 8, and a quad horizontal of St. Bernie’s 12, Westv. 12, and Roche 10, I’m moving this beer to a 5.0 from a 4.9.... the closest thing I’ve had to a 5.0, perfect beer, undoubtedly the #1 impy stout in my world. Re-rate, Apr 07 in a horizonta against 063FDL, 03-06 Stone RIS, Deschutes The Abyss, 01/03/04 Rogue RIS, and a NC Old Rasp Millenium edition. Top notch, beat ’em all. This beer hasn’t lost to any other impy stouts in my tastings. Only aroma and appearance remain at 9/10 ratings. Re-rate, Mar 07 in a horizontal w/ Peche Mortel and Mephistopheles, ever so fantastic, beautiful hop and coffee malt balance, June 06 re-rate stands, although if you’re looking for over the top coffee, the Peche does beat this one out. Best overall Impy stout, though, is the AS Speedway. Re-rate, June 06: Thanks, doulos. Freakin’ fantastic, no idea what was holding me back on the first tasting!!! Beautiful appearance, nice tan-chocolate head. Mouthfeel was perfect, asbsolutely perfect, syrup like, motor oil type feel, just nice. The aroma was coffee and dark fruits with some dry nuts. Flavor was coffee, chocolate as it warmed, roasted nuts, and some fruitiness (prunes?). Would not know this was 12% alcohol, well-blended in the flavor and aroma profiles. Finishes in a really complex fasion, initially just a bit bitter, good hop touch. Then after a few seconds, the late aftertastes arrive, nice zing on the tongue, but not a bunch of junky hoppy flavors. This was one of the best hopped stouts I’ve ever had, where the bittering and zesty/zing levels were there to support the relatively sweet malt base, but not in a way to overpower with pine, floral, or citrus attributes. Original Rating: A nice stout, but I found it to be over-rated. The Peche Mortel was superior, as was the DFH WWS. Poured with a small brown head that wasn’t overly impressive and laced a bit. The aroma was sharp, coffee and a touch of alcohol as it warmed. The mouthfeel was fairly thick and moderately carbonated. The flavor was coffee, sweet to start with and bitter to finish. Would have another one, but not at any elevated prices.
oh6gdx (5195), Vaasa, Finland
Jul 14, 2008 Bottled. Thick black colour with mediumsized brown head. Aroma is sweet malts, coffee, chocolate, licirice, alcohol and some sour smoked wood. Also a bit vanilla as it warms up. Flavour is very much the same kicking you in the face while drinking. A very nicely balanced big ABV Imperial stout, which still manages to be both powerful yet so smooth and nice.
alobar (580), Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA
Jul 13, 2008 Special thanks to RomanW70. Pours like old motor oil-thick, black with no head. Powerful aroma of coffee, chocolate, caramel and roasted malts. Taste was powerful! Coffee, chocolate, malts, caramel, alcohol. Phenomenal!!!
RedSox2004 (135), Pacific Palisades, California, USA
Jul 12, 2008 To celebrate my FSA. Poured deep solid opaque black with a generous brown head that fell to a solid film that left great lacing all the way. Strong aromas of coffee, chocolate, toasted malts. A sniff of bourbon and licorice is also detectable. Intense but very pleasant coffee flavor is supported by dark chocolate, a bit of licorice, and warmed by the alcohol. Though strong, the alcohol taste is not overpowering, but the effect is a sense of comforting warmth. Full bodied, smooth as silk with slight hops at the finish, this is a classic. Glad I had a reason to celebrate.
browner (31), Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, USA
Jul 12, 2008 Thanks to Matt at a little tasting at Discount Liquor (unplanned event) this beer was a real treat to discover. A well balanced Imperial Stout. Typical tones of coffee, dark chocolate,and a wood cask veil made in a very huge recipe. Very dark pour with no carbonation as expected it truly is a world class big beer. Take your time it’s worth it the journey.
sayravai (2993), Helsinki, Finland
Jul 12, 2008 (Bottled, 0.75l, my first sample at PBF 2008) Almost black with a smallish, beige head. Intense aroma of roasted malt, licorice, salty soy sauce. Roasty, almost burned flavor with licorice, roasted coffee, warming alcohol. Full-bodied, low-carbonated, warming palate. A beautifully balanced beer for the Finnish cold summers :).
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