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Left Hand Oak Aged Imperial Stout 3.88 483

Left Hand Oak Aged Imperial Stout

Percentile
98
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
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RatingsAverageScoreSeasonalABVStyle PctlServe in
4833.9/5.03.88/5.0Special10.4%78.5Snifter
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?  
 keith0718 (160), Olathe, Kansas, USA
4.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/105/59/105/520/20
May 6, 2007  
I would drink this every weekend, but for the hefty price tag. A damn fine imperial stout. WAY more drinkable than Great Divide’s Yet Imperial. Sweeter than other imperial stouts. Alcohol is VERY well hidden. I LOVE this.


 drainey (231), Chicago, Illinois, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/518/20
May 4, 2007  
Bottle. Very nice. Dark brown-black body with a large brown head. A sweet but not syrupy aroma with chocolate notes. Very smooth tasting with the chocolate taste well ingrained in the beer, rather than laid on top. Alcohol well hidden.


 sersdf (1000), chicago, Illinois, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/514/20
Apr 30, 2007  
thanks nhorween. this was really surprisingly carbonated. probably 3 parts beer to 2 parts head. aroma was pretty decent but i didn’t get any wood at all. instead it was your typical coffee/chocolate. the texture was fantastic and the beer was reasonably good. it was much better than the twin sisters DIPA we had right before it. i thought it was a tiny bit astringent, but still drinkable. at 10.5% i detected no alcohol.


 nhorween (640), Chicago, Illinois, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/104/515/20
Apr 29, 2007  
Bottle. Either I poured this horribly or it’s a bit over attenuated. Decent aroma, but subdued for what you’d expect from the style. Coffee, smoke, chocolate. Flavor is very smooth and chocolatey which works well with the velvety texture. Above average, but it doesn’t taste very barrel aged to me.


 RCL (1488), Waltham, Massachusetts, USA
4.1 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/517/20
Apr 28, 2007  
Bottle of the ’07. Pitch black pour. Aroma is a little tight but pleasant with a rich mocha element underscored with a little vanilla/coconut oak. Rich, deep flavor echoes the aroma with very smooth, well intergrated oak characteristics and just a tiny hint of hazelnut on the finish and aftertaste. One of the few that get barrel aging right.


 jimbowood (961), Athens, Georgia, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/59/105/517/20
Apr 28, 2007  
Bottle from Bruisin’ Ales in Asheville pours with a very light appearance. This beer is full of flavor. Deep chocolate, malt, a hint of oak and red wine. Nicely done.


 legion242 (1586), Richardson, Texas, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/105/517/20
Apr 21, 2007  
A really nice version- not too oaky, though it is there to be pondered. Nice, smooth finish and I just know that he alcohol is gonna hit me any minute.


 SDbruboy (1832), San Diego, California, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/59/104/517/20
Apr 21, 2007  
750 ml bottle from OhioDad, thanks man! Pours dark brown, but translucent with brick highlights and a large creamy beige head. Aroma is heavy with dark fruits, molasses and cherries, with hints of chocolate fudge, alcohol, young oak and undertones of coffee. This is like a chocolate, cherry cordial candy in a glass, rich and sweet, dripping with figs and espresso, floral and herbal notes as well - this is a nicely balanced and complex brew. Full body with gentle, creamy carbonation. Yummy!



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