 muzzlehatch (4425), Burlington, Vermont, USA
Jul 26, 2005
12 ounce bottle, January 5 2005 bottling date, courtesy of the inestimable JPDIPSO. Inky black with caramel-cream lasting coating...dark smoky caramel aroma, hints of caramel, toffee and vanilla, sweet but with an underlying roasty warmth, whiskey peat is very faint and adds color....exceptionally smooth body, milky-chocolaty sweet at first with fiery liquor characteristics showing up late, vanilla and smokiness near the finish, some expresso bitterness and no real hops. A dessert-like Imperial with little fruitiness or harshness overall.
BigJoe7231 (14), Schererville, Indiana, USA
Aug 29, 2008 Good stuff! Pours black, with almost no head. Smells of sweet bourbon oak. The 13% ABV is disguised nicely by the bourbon and chocolately overtones.
SHANER4 (202), Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
Aug 29, 2008 Poured a black violet color with small head. Aroma is very strong - smelled like bourbon smoke and cofee grounds. Taste is very strong, high ABV. is very evident. definte sipping brew. Flavor of smoke and coffee on palate with a strong alcohol finish. This beer is rated quite high, I am surprised because of overpowering alcohol flavor. Combine bourbon and coffee and you have this brew.
msante79 (227), Illinois, USA
Aug 28, 2008 2007 12oz bottle. Pours black with very thin dark tan head. Aroma is big with bourbon, booze, oak, coffee, chocolate and vanilla. Flavor is smooth and creamy with suprised me based on the aroma. Big flavors of caramel, vanilla and bourbon with notes of chocolate and coffee. This is a beautiful beer. Mouthfeel is very silky. Hides 13 % ABV very well. Could have several glasses of this. Flavors really open up as it warms. Will make sure I pick up a 4 pack of the 2008.
fschouten (2), Manteno, Illinois, USA
does not count  Aug 24, 2008 This stout is best enjoyed at the Goose Island Brewery restaurant on North Clybourn in Chicago. Of course, it’s probably also best to park on the south side and take the Red Line there. That gives you a chance to ride public transit back to your car and let your body work through of some of the effect of this potent stout!
BrotherGrendel (135), San Diego (La Jolla), California, USA
Aug 23, 2008 12oz bottle procured from NYC Whole Foods on Bowery, poured into a Stone OG tulip glass, 2007 edition bottled 1/20/07.
Appearance is pitch black hue with tinges of brown on the periphery, head is minimal, a mere thin ring of brown bubbles, moderate lacing.
Smell is amazing, big notes of molasses, dark fruits, bourbon alcohol, and woody oak, some dark bitter chocolate and coffee tones, vanilla and roasty malts as well.
Taste is also quite spectacular initially characterized by bittersweet chocolate malts, whisky, and dark fruits, transitions slowly to coffee and roast malts, vanilla, and a touch of earthy hops, finishes syrupy sweet with alcohol warming.
Mouthfeel is full-bodied, thick viscous texture coats the mouth like motor oil, carbonation is ample.
Drinkability is moderate at 11%, you can definitely feel the alcohol but it is not overwhelming, great mix of malts, dark fruits, hops, the bourbon barrel accents are a great accent that does not hijack the flavor profile, this is deserving of high ratings and I would love to try try again after a few years of cellaring, yum!
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