Big Sky Ivan the Terrible Imperial Stout

Brewed by Big Sky Brewing Company
Style: Imperial Stout
Missoula, Montana USA

Pours dark brown with a solid black body in the glass. Natural carbonation adds to the appearance of the ale, producing a long lasting foamy tan head. Snickers bar aroma with notes of chocolate, caramel, nougat, nuts, bourbon, vanilla, coconut and wood. Flavor is well balanced, sweet, richly flavored. Finish is a touch short though. A nice ale all around.

Near black color with a tall lasting mocha colored head. Sweet fruitcake aromas. Dates prunes and figs mix with toasted almonds, graham crackers, dark cocoa and bourbon vanilla. After a very long day this is most relaxing and comforting. I wish for a bit more thickness in feel as this seems a touch thin. After a couple sips my main thought is that this is a melange of bourbon and butter pecan ice cream. Quite tasty. Malt and bourbon vanilla carry through from start to finish. Some milk chocolate, pecans, pralines and cream dance in and out. The bourbon does seem to pick up strength throughout as well. It is a good thing I enjoy whisky.

This poured black as night with traces of coffee,cocoa and dried fruit it also left a nice oiliness in my mouth overall a good IPS.CHEERS!

750ml bottle #605/1152 courtesy of BOLTZ7555. Pours a midnight black with a 2 finger chocolate milk colored head with slick oily lacing. Nose is dark ripe fruits, chocolate and bourbon. Taste is cocoa, roasted malt, more dark fruit, oaky vanilla and some bourbon in the finish with a touch of hops at the very end. It gets pretty hot as it warms up. Medium creamy mouth feel. This is really good. Not sure why this one didn’t get any hype. Thanks Jason!

Bottle 604 of 1152. Surprisingly tasty impy from Big Sky...deep mahogany just a shade under black with a tight latte colored head. Bittersweet Godiva, campfire, vanilla, and bourbon all are evident. Flavor is indicative of gourmet bourbon-filled chocolates. Roasted malt also adds a nice sweetness and complexity. Not quite as heavy as some in the class but thick enough to make your palate remember!!! Delicious!!!

On tap. Dark brown with a minimal tan head. Nice aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, bourbon, and vanilla. Taste was very chocolatey with a nice roasted malt flavor underneath. Subtle bourbon in the taste with an underlying hop sweetness I had not expected. Mouthfeel was also lighter than I expected, with a nice stickiness. Very enjoyable, without being to basic.

Incredibly strong stout, both ABV and sheer amount of stuff. Huge body and hoppier than other imperial stouts.

On tap. Dark brown with a small tan head. Aroma of chocolate, bourbon, and roasted malt. Solid flavor, nice palate.