Deschutes Black Butte XXI

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: Imperial/Strong Porter
Bend, Oregon USA

Well allright. Black, medium viscosity, tan quicksand head. Ample mocha aroma of equal parts coffee and dark chocolate, I’ve had the Abyss recently and get some subliminal molasses too. This bottle is the XXI and I think it could use more time. The bourbon and coffee are awkward in each others presence and refuse to mingle. Cocoa cannot be found in way of flavor, only a slick syrupy texture. This beer is clearly going to develop into greatness, if there was any young heat it’s gone now. Chewy. And the next release of Abyss is around the corner. Niiiice.

Lots and lots of coffee and chocolate in the nose with a bit of oak as well. Dark, dark black with a thick, dark tan head. Flavor is malt, coffee, chocolate and bourbon. Fantastic.

Pours an opaque black with a medium tan head. Aroma is much brown sugar, roasted malt, cinnamon, some hops too. Flavor is packed full of malts, then comes coffee, a little smokiness, and the bourbon barrels are apparent as well. A sweet bourbon finish. Thick, rich mouthfeel. I like it. A little overpriced, but damn good. Overall, excellent.

Bottle from ye olde ditmier. Very roasty malt flavor. Bittersweet chocolate aroma. A coffee bitter sort of flavor as well. There is a decent sweetness. The body is reminiscient of a porter but the flavor profile and sweetness are reminiscient of a stout. Pretty well done to add the extra oomph to a relatively low key style.

Bottle. Black Butte XX. Black body, with a large brown head. Aroma is chocolate, coffee, sweet, roasted malt and bourbon. Flavor is chocolate, alcohol and coffee. Creamy body and a sweet aftertaste. Long lasting lacings.

Source:22 oz bottle at a tasting in Nashville.
Glass:Fullers snifter.
Appearance:Dark brown pour with a one finger brown head.
Aroma:Coffee and chocolate dominate the nose.
Flavor:Coffee and chocolate are prevalent with just a hint of licorice.
Palate:Full body with soft carbonation.
Overall:I know that this is heresy, but I like this more than the Abyss. Loved the heavy coffee.

22 oz bottle, best after 10/17/10 (oh well!). Pours a dark brown with a creamy tan head that retains well and laces the glass.

The aroma is sweet roasted chocolate, tar, black licorice, and coffee. A little too heavy on the black licorice and tar for me.

The flavor is sweet sugary lactic chocolate balanced by a big tarry roasted bitterness and black licorice with a little coffee. The finish has a good deal of bitterness. As it warms, the sweetness comes out and becomes a bit overwhelming. Also notes of bourbony dark fruits appear as well. It’s very bold but not at all smooth - a bit too brash for me. The mouthfeel is fairly full with creamy carbonation.

Overall, it’s a bit too harsh especially with the black licorice and tar and then the heavy sweetness. It would be interesting to try again after the best after date to see if it mellows out.

Bomber. Deep black color with a ring of tan head. Aroma is oak, bourbon, coffee, chocolate. Very pungent and inviting. Flavor is smooth with a balanced bitter.