RateBeer
Sign Up or Login : Advanced Search

Left Hand Oak Aged Imperial Stout

Percentile
98
overall

bottled
common

on tap
common

Broad Distribution
Find this beer

Add Distribution Data
send corrections | shelftag |
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?  
 goldtwins (4081), Nesconset, New York, USA
3.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/103/58/104/515/20
Sep 6, 2006  
Poured a hazy dark brown color with a thin off-white head. Aroma and flavor of chocolate with a fair amount of fruitiness as well. Some vanilla notes in the flavor.


 shadey (1500), Rochester, New York, USA
3.5 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/102/57/102/516/20
Aug 31, 2006  
Pitch black pour with no head. Looks completely flat. Aroma is chocolatey and just a touch alcoholic. Body is almost totaly flat. But the flavor is very chocolaty and smooth. I bet this would have been excellent if it wasn’t flat.


 JCapriotti (1378), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
4 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/104/58/104/516/20
Aug 20, 2006  
Lightish dark brown (lighter than most imperial stouts). Thin light brown creamy head with great lacing. Chocolatey cask aroma. A little dry with some sour alcohol edge. Flavor is full with rummy chocolate, light alcohol licorice, some figgy brown sugar. Great stuff. Too bad I fell asleep. Luckily I think I have a couple more bottles :)


 harlequinn (2745), Tacoma, Washington, USA
4.2 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/58/104/517/20
Jul 4, 2006  
Drank this beast all by my lonesome in my hotel room in Denver. This has matured quite nicely, and I am always a fan of beers aged under oak conditioning. Initially the nose is slightly sour and fruity, but that gives way once it warms to all the pleasure of the French Oak, vanilla nuances, along with some winey flavors. Initially the flavors are molasses and licorice, turning into , rum soaked raisins, brown candi sugar and some well blended dark chocolate. I would love to have another bottle of this to lay down for a year or two.


 gputty (456), Virgina Beach, Virginia, USA
3.8 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
9/104/57/103/515/20
Jun 21, 2006  
From 750. Pours a fairly dark brown with tan head. Nose is dark chocolate, grapes roasted malts, oak, whiskey and figs. Very complex and inviting. Flavor doesn’t quite live up to the nose. Slightly vinous with a bitter finish. Body is a little light for an IS.


 jtw (942), farmington, Michigan, USA
3.9 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
7/104/58/104/516/20
Jun 18, 2006  
big corked/caged 750mL bottle... corks pulls out with a loud foomp, and it pours a dark black with mahogany tints at the edges. big dark malt aromas blend well with the oak and other roasted and woody flavors - very enjoyably, and turns a little winey as it warms. smooth and "red-tasting" with dark fruit and licorice flavors as well. not a giant beer but very solid.


 noelcb (271), Toledo, Ohio, USA
4.7 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
10/104/510/104/519/20
Jun 8, 2006  
Opaque black ("A Black Beer to Brighten your day," the label says) with big foamy beige head, fades slow, nice lace. Aromas of malt, floral hops, raisins, apples and limes, some spice, espresso, alcohol, caramel, tea, tannin and port wine. Tastes wonderfully of dark toasted malt, coffee, caramel, brown sugar, ripe dark fruits, apples, strawberries, and hops. Nice bitter finish; leaves a slight chocolate taste behind. Nice mouthfeel, condusive to slightly cooler temps. I like to start with it fairly cold and appreciate the character development from fruity, hoppy, and bitter maltiness to mellow sweet malt and gentle warming alcohol.


 vyvvy (2059), Hazelwood, Missouri, USA
3.6 Aroma Appearance Flavor Palate Overall
8/103/57/103/515/20
May 21, 2006  
Many thanks to TannerTavernBoys for sharing this rarity. Aroma is wonderful - roasted malts mixed with some chocolate and oakiness. Pours a very dark brown with a light tan head. Medium bodied with a lot of carbonation - more than I was expecting from an imperial stout. Starts with roasted caramel and chocolate (darker than dark, more like charred chocolate). The charred chocolate goes through with the finish that also contains a good amount of hops. Overall a very nice beer.



CONSIDER FREE RATEBEER MEMBERSHIP



Join us! RateBeer is made by beer enthusiasts for the craft beer community. Your basic membership is free and allows you to read all beer ratings. Click here to create your account... and give your opinion!

SIGN UP NOW »

View Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49


About RateBeer | Add A Beer | Log In | Edit Personal Info | 100 Beer Club | FAQ | Feedback?
Copyright © 2000-2009, RateBeer LLC