 SamGamgee (646), Isla Vista, California, USA
Apr 13, 2008
75cl bottle. Super dark brown with a fluffy brown head that settles into an oil slick. Potent, alcoholic aroma of cocoa and espresso, with some dark candied fruit and vanilla. The flavor is smooth, alcoholic, and rich. The coffee isn’t a forceful as in the aroma, but it still gives you a good kick. Huge roasted chocolate malts. Full and smooth with light, silky bubbles. The alcohol cleans and dries the finish up nicely, keeping it from being too sticky. This beer is just over the top, but so well done that it works well. Fantastic, but I don’t think I could kill a whole bottle again.
beachbum25 (625), Powellville, Maryland, USA
Nov 30, 2008 750 Ml Bottle-aged 1 year-Poured black w/no head. This beer just didn’t overwelm me like I was expecting. It was a solid stout, coffee flavor was a little too strong & it overpowered the brew, kind of threw it out of balance. Had a good mouthfeel, but I just didn’t think it was the greatest thing since sliced bread-as it is often described. Left me wanting more. Long, full coffee finish.
502Flavors (345), Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Nov 27, 2008 2007 750 into snifter. Pitch black with a nice mocha head. Great coffee character on aroma and flavor. A pretty big beer.
BigBeer45 (502), Troy, Michigan, USA
Nov 21, 2008 Bottle with a silver foil wrap from Vintage Estate in Ohio, pours really black with a tan and chocolate shake bubbled head, I could see dark ruby at the edges of this ale, leaves a slight brown oily film when swirled, there is a good covering of sediment in the bottle, dark roasted coffee bean nutty aroma when first poured, dark roasted malt, chocolate, dark brown and burnt brown sugar fragrances, real faint alcohol in the background (not a bad thing at all), baked brownie aromas, coffee fragrance is more in the background and not as prominent as expected with the note on the label that this brew is made with coffee beans, nuts taper off a bit after pouring, flavor of dark roasted malt, chocolate and some coffee, I sensed a little alcohol warmth on the palate, some tingle in my nostrils when I take a drink, a very nice Impy, mouth feel is more then medium, this Impy layers the tongue and has a decent amount of carbonation, has a nice creamy feel on the palate which I get with all of the AleSmith brews, glad I was able to find and enjoy this brew, I recommend this if you can get it
JLAudio (281), Crestwood, Illinois, USA
Nov 21, 2008 One of the best. It pours dark black, opaque, with a nice beige head. The flavors are very balanced and refined. Starts with a raosted & toasted malt flavor, surrounded by caramel, chocolate, coffee, and cafe au lait. The finish is sort of acrid and reminds me of a strong turkish espresso. The mouthfeel is perfect, the alcohol lends a complexity as it warms the throat. Just perfect.
poolboy (28), Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Nov 20, 2008 My favorite Russian imperial. Very dark, black I would say. Full of chocolate, smoke, and coffee. Plenty of malt. Thick but not syrupy.
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