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Left Hand Oak Aged Imperial Stout 3.88 481

Left Hand Oak Aged Imperial Stout

Percentile
98
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
4813.9/5.03.88/5.0Special10.4%78.2Snifter
Commercial Description:
2008 and prior years: This 10th Anniversary celebration Imperial Stout hibernated in our cellars in French oak wine barrels since deep in the winter 2002-03. An ambitious blend of rich, dark malts and a wild variety of aromatic and bittering hops yield a beer that is large in character. Available in cork-finished, bottle-conditioned 750ml bottles.

2009 release: Thanks for purchasing another offering in our Big Mo’ Series. Russian Imperial Stouts gained popularity as a British export style from the late 1700’s through WWI. It catered to the Russians’lavish and opulent tastes and was well suited to the rigors of shipping across the Baltic Sea. Hibernating in brandy barrels for nine months before being blended to woody perfection, it is then bottle conditioned for an authentic old world experience. Imperial Stout is the perfect warmer for chilly winter nights. Enjoy the complex flavors that develop during the cask aging, including raisin, cherry, licorice, and toffee. It finishes with earthy, herbal hop notes. If discontent is the fuel of revolution then this brew is sure to keep any Bolsheviks sitting quietly by the fire. 75% Malt Beverage & 25% Malt Beverage Aged in Oak Brandy Barrels
 Most Recent Top Raters Highest Ratings Who's Rated This?  
matthewjk (70), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/104/57/103/516/20
Nov 12, 2009  
Anytime I can enjoy an imperial stout is a good time. Left Hand’s 2009 Oak Aged Imperial Stout is not terrible by any means, but not exceptional. Nice looking dark ruddy appearance reveals a pungent, but not appealing aroma. This might be my first "Oak Aged" stout and my experinece confirms it means nothing but trouble! What’s the point? Potentially ruining a good stout? Overall...it’s just okay. I need to try Left Hand’s regular imperial stout to compare.


 mcjay (303), Neenah, Wisconsin, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Nov 10, 2009  
2009 edition. Deep, cloudy amber color with a thick and cream tan head. Aroma of Bourbon with a hints of coffee and toffee. Roasted malt flavor that has traces of raisins and passion fruit with a dry finish. An excellent Russian imperial stout.


 andersand (365), Malmö, Sweden
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
6/103/58/104/515/20
Nov 6, 2009  
Dark dark brown, not black enough with a small beige head. Aroma is brandy, light chocolate and unpleasant phenols of burnt plastic. Flavour is better but still has some of those nasty phenols alongside the more pleasant caramell, chocolate and candy-like brandy flavours. Mouthfeel is rather light, clean, slightly creamy and very pleasant. I like the use of the brandy barrel but the base IS is just not good enough here.


 gracefullypunk (324), Washington, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Nov 1, 2009  
On tap. Pours black with a beige head that doesn’t last long. Aromas of oak, alcohol, smoke and chocolate. Tastes of chocolate, toasted oats, roasted malt and oak.


 DeadGirl (242), West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/59/105/516/20
Oct 25, 2009  
Pours dark from the 355ml. bottle into a pint glass: Sinfully sweet of caramel malts, roasted marshmellows (faint), licorice, nuts and toffee. Pleasantly bitter of burnt toasted hops. The alcohol content is masked very well. Drinkability: Malty and sweet mixed with a doughy taste from the oak barrels (a JP signature). Rebuy: Right away! #159 on 24102009, DG.


 smcolw (358), Wayland, Massachusetts, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/57/104/514/20
Oct 24, 2009  
Thick, dense light beige head. Lots of chunky lace on the glass Graham cracker and cocoa aromas. Slightly chalky with a touch maple sugar and chocolate milk. Oily and thick, the body has definite elements of a fortified wine like a port or brandy. Light carbonation, given the richness. The flavor is weak in the beginning. But the swallow and aftertaste are powerful. Strong burnt toast with a honey sweetness. Small level of bittering hop. Lots of alcohol warmth throughout. The aftertaste lasts a very long time with a strong notes of a fine brandy. This is a potent beer. It’s easy to sip, but hard to drink an entire 22 ounce bottle. Find a friend and share!


 punkrkr27 (638), Berkley, Michigan, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/58/103/516/20
Oct 16, 2009  
2009 bottle shared at the Metro Detroit ’09 tasting. Dark brown pour with a small, off-white head. The aroma is very alcoholic with notes of dark fruit, lots of molasses, caramelized brown sugar and a hint of cocoa. More molasses, brown sugar and cocoa in teh flavor with some ligth oak, boozy brandy and a long vanilla finish. Sticky medium body with soft carbonation.


 neepsntatties (345), Portland, Oregon, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/105/517/20
Oct 15, 2009  
22 oz. bottle from 99 Bottles in Federal Way, WA. Colour... very dark brown, but garnet when held to the light. Nose... very boozy, oaky and phenolic. Palate... creamy, frothy, highly phenolic like an Islay Scotch, ultra smoky with dark chocolate, cherry, raisin, anise, hops and spice. This baby is like a vintage port: it needs time in the cellar to round off the edges and ease up on the grip. This’ll be really bitchin’ in a year!



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