TheBeerOrg (1563), Kentucky, USA Mar 22, 2009 Pitch black with a quickly receding mocha head. Aroma of oak, vanilla, light smoke, and coffee. Tastes of bourbon, vanilla, coffee, red wine, pepper and spice. Mouthfeel is heavy with soft carbonation and noticeable alcohol. bretupdegraff (172), Fishers, Indiana, USA Mar 21, 2009 Aroma of bourbon and coffee. Taste is strong bourbon and roasted coffee. No head on the pour. This is a good beer that I hope will get better with age BelgianBeerGal (1275), Sabbatical in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Mar 21, 2009 Traded bottle. Good but did not live up to the hype for me. Definitely got the coffee, vanilla and bourbon notes in the aroma and flavour but there was a really strong burnt flavour at the finish. Just nothing really exciting to me. HolidayBeerGuy (50), Detroit, Michigan, USA Mar 21, 2009 12oz. bottle 2009, Pours oil black, with a thin light brown head. Aroma of heavy coffee, oak, and chocolate. taste is heavy chocolate lighter alcohol than expected in the taste, full, rich, wonderful. Finishes sticky, oaky coffee reisdes on the palate. A great beer, fortunate to have had the opportunity to try. foundmd (163), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA Mar 21, 2009 Updated: May 23, 200912oz bottle, 2009 release. Pitch black pour with a thin mocha head. Immediate aroma of oak, bourbon, and coffee. You definitely have to love bourbon and (especially) coffee/espresso to appreciate this beer. The coffee flavor is huge, almost more than the regular Breakfast Stout. Initial flavor of bitter coffee with hints of woody oak and bourbon alcohol. The finish is subtle chocolate and vanilla with more coffee bitterness. Let this one warm a bit to enjoy its complexities. Not a lot of roasted malts or hops. Palate is thinner than most Imperials with moderate carbonation. A fantastic and unique beer. Overpriced, but essential nonetheless.
Update: After sitting in the cellar for a few months the coffee aroma and flavor has become much more subtle. A lot more bitter chocolate than there was in my initial tasting. Still wonderful though. roborb (59), Raleigh, North Carolina, USA Mar 20, 2009 12 oz bottle served into a snifter. This beer pours motor oil black with a very nice chocolate head. The aroma consists of coffee, bourbon, dark fruit and oak. The flavor follows the smell. The initial taste is bourbon and then it is followed with coffee and chocolate. The carbonation is just right and not overpowering. This beer is fantastic and deserves all the praise it gets. This is a must get for anyone. mcmd (132), Louisville, Kentucky, USA Mar 20, 2009 12oz bottle in a snifter. Pours pitch black with a decent mocha head which thins to a sudsy film. Aroma is oak, burnt dark espresso, dark chocolate, a little bourbon as well. Flavor is a semi-sweet dark chocolate with lots of espresso, smoky, vanilla, oak, bourbon is present but not overwhelming. Excellent black coffee bitterness in the finish which is pleasant on the tongue. An excellent and unique imperial stout. watson1977 (250), , Pennsylvania, USA Mar 19, 2009 pours a thick rich black with a thin dark mocha head that dissipates quickly. very complex aroma has rich chocolate, freshly ground coffee, vanilla, dark fruit, subtle bourbon, and faint alcohol. flavor has lots of dark chocolate and coffee with a mild bourbon backing. extremely creamy and thick mouthfeel and a warm lingering finish. very nice even though this bottle is a bit young...
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