 kmweaver (2121), Takoma Park, Maryland, USA
Jul 17, 2006 Updated: Apr 18, 2007
Rerate, 04.18.07: 12oz bottle, latest batch, courtesy of artusory. Thanks, Ryan! It’s interesting to try this with a few more ratings behind my belt. Pours a beautiful dark black center; medium tan head with great retention and lacing. Lots of lightly-roasted coffee and hints of vanilla in the aroma. Medium-to-full, bitter mouthfeel: tons of coffee upfront; toasty vanilla and bourbon notes from the barrel, but these are overwhelmed by the prominent coffee notes; hints of a layer of milk chocolate underneath; some astringency. Long, coffee and chocolate finish; slightly creamy. The coffee presence really dominates this beer.
7.5.8.4.14=3.8
RBSG 06. Coffee and vanilla nose. Medium mouthfeel, with the bourbon nicely subdued; ends with a long oak and coffee finish. Well balanched, and quite possibly (screw insipid Folgers!) the best part of waking up. 9.5.8.4.16=4.2
Gregis (923), Shawnee, Kansas, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Bottle purchased at Crown #15, in Fishers, IN. Pours like black coffee, from the bottle, raising a thin, creamy dark cocoa head that leaves cascading, patchy lace upon the snifter. The nose is of old coffee blended with bourbon and a light note of cigarette ash. This is NOT among my favorite noses on an imperial stout. As I see all of the 8s & 9s running down this page, I have to wonder if I have a poorly handled bottle or if my nose is just off this evening. Medium-bodied and oily with a moderately astringent finish. Sweet, roasty, fruity dark malt with a sweet, oaky bourbon backing and a light tobacco ashiness at the finish. This beer definitely improves as it nears room temperature, but with it’s reputation, I was expecting much more. It’s good... but not great.
bp (308), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 4, 2008 Bottle: pours a nice dark motor oil black with a thin tan head that was quick to disappear, aroma is loaded with coffee, a hint of the bourbon, tobacco and oak, taste is coffee, dark chocolate, bourbon, a touch bitter, medium body which is probably the only disappointment for me. I’d like to have this feel a little heavier. Still very good stuff!
Pastor (280), Maine, USA
Oct 3, 2008 A 07 Bottle poured into a tulip glass produce a coco colored head that left little lace on top of a pitch black body
Big roasted malts (chocolate and coffee) smell coming off my glass some wood quality in the nose as well even a little tobacco smell that kind of threw me a curve
You can taste the bourbon a little vanilla, of coarse the chocolate and espresso hit your taste buds too. Great mouthfeel to it like a stout should be rich and smooth
Great sippability on this not to be drank quickly as you can tell If I saw this on a shelf I would not pass it by
kegbear (101), Orange, California, USA
Oct 3, 2008 Bottle, Aroma of coffee, dark dried fruits and bourbon. Tastes strongly of coffee, dried fruit, chocolate, vanilla and bourbon. Not too strong on the bourbon side. I really liked this one.
Alraomon (63), Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Sep 28, 2008 Courtesy cdumler. Thanks for sharing!
Dark brownish black. Head is touch, but retention is okay.
Coffee and malts, with chocolate notes. It’s quite reminiscent of a Coffee Crisp bar (more familiar to the Canadians, I believe, though it can be found in the US, as well). A nice blend of the two.
Very deep roasted malts and coffee flavours. Some bitterness and a touch of astringency that stings a little. A creamy mouthfeel and light on the carbonation... almost like heavily creamed coffee in some ways.
Tasty, and somewhat candy line in some ways. The coffee flavours might be a little on the artificial side, but definitely taste great. I’d happily have it again, though it’s almost sinful.
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