 rkuhnel (1133), Eureka, California, USA
Jul 25, 2008
After prying off the wax seal, which was a bit of a pain, this 22 oz bottle opened with a satisfying hiss, and poured a jet black into the glass. Some beers are dark, this one was like a black hole. The head was large and creamy, and very long lasting, in fact so long I got impatient waiting for it to settle so I could check the lacing. But what appeared at the top of the glass looked good. The nose on this one is mostly of coffee and chocolate, with distinct hints of the bourbon oak barrels this sat in. The palate was simply divine, being rich and creamy. Flavors are dominated by the coffee and the alcohol is hidden very well. The finish is dry and bitter. A simply exceptional beer. I drank this at about 45 degrees, and think had it been ten degrees warmer it might have been even better.
Mes_and_Sim (4476), Highgate, Greater London, England
Oct 6, 2008 A Mes rate: bottle at Beer Exposed.
Big thanks to Phil for popping this one open. Expected black viscous body with a good tan head. Quality. The faint chocolate and dark goodies in the aroma are much too hidden by a strong vegetal character. Definite cauliflower (thanks dunkpigen). The flavour is certainly better. Full on neat cocoa powder and black coffee. The bourbon is barely detectable. Sweet but dry finish. Sadly the vegetable notes are still there. Rather boring overall. I certainly preferred the Obsidian.
AllAboutStout (523), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Oct 5, 2008 Pours a very dark brown, damn near black in color. Smell is mostly dark roasted malts and some molasses. Taste is more of the roasted malts with a bit of the molasses. Very nice and very dark. Can’t get over the molasses and dark malt smell. This is a very well done beer. Decent and pretty well done, but not upper tier.
v8powered (25), , Nevada, USA
Oct 5, 2008 Sweet chocolate and bittersweet aftertaste. The bourbon barrel flavor is apparent in the aftertaste. Sweet malty flavor with strong coffee and chocolate flavor. A slight earthy vegetable taste that is hard to identify. Balanced but very complex. Almost a new flavor with every sip. Very nice!!
golubj (1029), Redwood City, California, USA
Oct 5, 2008 Bottle. Black pour. Aroma is licorice / molasses, roasted chocolate malt, some sweeter chocolate and some alcohol / bourbon. Flavor is the same, sweet, malty, chocolatey, roasted, licorice / molasses, and a good amount of woody bourbon flavor. Pretty complicated beer.
thewolf (3959), Kolding, Denmark
Oct 3, 2008 Bottle @ Beer Exposed, September 2008.
[thank you, Phil_L]
Pours deep brown with a small, creamy, beige head. Aroma has dry cocoa, coffee powder, roasted malts, vanilla and chocolate. But also a very heavy cauliflower vegetable note. Fine creamy and lightly grainy mouthfeel. Flavour start off with the water from boiled cauliflower, then turns vinious and dry and quite roasted. Completely unbalanced beer.
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