CP (124), USA Mar 8, 2008 This is a great beer. This is about the amount of bourbon I like. The bourbon is only a hint and is mixed with other flavors. If you want a more bourbon taste try Goose Islands offer or bourbon! The Goose Island offering seems like bourbon was just poured into it after the fact rather than it being aged in bourbon barrels like this fine brew has. This is the best mix for my tastes. Coffee is the overwhelming taste here and it is all the better for it. Alcohol / Bourbon is not apparent so don’t let that scare you away. I can’t begin to tell you how well this brew is crafted. BOLTZ7555 (1053), Phoenix, Arizona, USA Mar 7, 2008 The fragrance of fine roasted coffee and bitter chocolate quickly escape the bottle with underlying notes of vanilla and, of course, bourbon. BLACK (and I’m not exaggerating) body with ZERO (none, nada, zilch) head. Visually, this looked like a glass of heavily-used motor oil. Flavor was a classic robust IRS with bourbon sneaking onto the palate more as the beer warmed. This brew is distinctively smooth, mature, and delicious. TheRealBastard (141), The-No, California, USA Mar 6, 2008 Really really good beer. Aroma is bourbon, roasted malt, and wood. Taste is bourbon, coffee, and hints of vanilla sweetness in the finish. The bourbon blends well with this beer, leaving you wanting more. Wish it came in a bomber, because one just isn’t enough. Recomended Magicdave6 (5383), London, Greater London, England Mar 3, 2008 Bottle thanks to cgarvieuk. Aroma is roasty, toasty malts, alc is very noteable. Taste is similar, thick and cloying, alc is far to evedent. ChainGangGuy (2522), Kennesaw, Georgia, USA Mar 2, 2008 Thanks to pantanap for the bottle acquired in a recent trade.
Appearance: Pours a viscous-looking black body with a small, short-lived tan head.
Smell: Heavy aroma hits with strong notes of roasted malt, dark chocolate, caramel, vanilla beans, fine pipe tobacco, charred wood, and a smooth, well-aged bourbon.
Taste: Ah, the hearty, robust taste of roasted malts, dark chocolate, and strong vanilla-flavored coffee hit you immediately. A ripple of dark caramel follows. Distinct, yet subtle bourbon flavor with tastes of wood and dark brown sugar. Hint of dark fruit. Just a perfect amount of subdued sugary sweetness. Dash of coarse ground black pepper. Perhaps some mild hops along the way upon warming. Sweetish bourbon, roasty taste on the slightly warming finish. A lingering woody bourbon aftertaste.
Mouthfeel: Medium-full body. Mild carbonation. Pleasingly smooth mouthfeel.
Drinkability: Remarkably drinkable for being such a powerhouse of a beer. This beer is SO GOOD that it can be hard not to just go on and on about how awesome it is. M0RHI (1067), Luxembourg, Luxembourg Mar 2, 2008 Bottle at cgarvieuk’s special sunday sojourn. Nose is smoky with woodiness, lots of aocoholic bourbon. Mouth is woody seaweedy alcohol tones, soky refinery smelly. Finishes a bit coppery, vanilla and long. Alright. BlackForestCO (819), Fort Collins, Colorado, USA Feb 29, 2008 Updated: Mar 4, 200907 bottle thanks to yem25. Poured a deep black color with a thin tan head that diminished to a layer and left some spotty lacing. Aroma of bourbon, coffee, light chocolate, vanilla, and undertones of a green earthy aroma. Subtle chocolate malt entry and smooth caramel flavor leads into a coffee middle followed by a sharp roasted malt flavor that is a bit abrasive. Finishes dry with a bit of lingering roast and some moderate bourbon. Solid beer, but a bit abrasive and disjointed. Time helps smooth this out a little. Thanks a ton Ryan. gearbike (413), West Bloomfield, Michigan, USA Feb 29, 2008 Darkish brown color. Balance balance balance. An over the top beer but nothing is over the top. All the flavors described on the label are prensent but none are overpowering other than possibly the 10% alcohol. No way around it you feel good at the bottom of the bottle.
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