 boboski (1095), Alabama, USA
Aug 4, 2007 Updated: Dec 22, 2007
Anything this strong shouldn’t form such a creamy, well-retained, all-around outstanding tan head, right? Wrong. Seeing the liquid glub-glub from the bottle was no surprise, yet still fascinating to watch. The body is dark enough to extinguish the sun, dense, totally opaque and coated with a thick oily film. Lacing is minimal due to extreme viscosity and weight. The aroma breathes an outward gasp of anise as the glass rises to my nose. Lightly bitter but mostly sweet chocolate follows suit. Also noted are huckleberries, blackberries, freshly dried wood, sweet Moscato grappa, vanilla vodka notes and a lactic base that is reminiscent of creamer...and then there’s the hedonistic coffee component: mild but extra full bodied, releasing waves of roast that resemble an unfinished process. The introduction of coffee propels the nose to achieve the same nuances you’d find if you walked by a pot brewing your finest hand-ground blend shortly after rising from a most refreshing slumber. Alcohol is leviathan in scope, warming the air around it with each inhalation. The first sip is a shocking experience. No matter the preparation undergone for such a high alcohol monster, no matter the expectancy of hot ethanol spice, sometimes you inevitably shock the palate into submission. Chocolate is now gargantuan and really delicious, caramel is shy and reclusive. Coffee and more coffee follow closely behind. The taste is highly sweet, never cloying, lovely. Light astringency disperses chocolate notes across the breadth of the entire palate. The finish has the tantamount effect of the very same warming feeling that burns on its way down after a shot of unfiltered vodka, massively warming and lingering. Chocolate notes linger. Sip after sip I’m a little surprised that any recognizable fruit vanished after the first swallow commenced, never to return. Roast, coffee and chocolate rule here. Hints of coffee, caramel, soy sauce and anise linger long after the glass empties. The mouthfeel is exhuberantly full-bodied, with odd, patchy carbonation. Very gooey and clinging but doesn’t feel sticky after each sip, or on the lips, almost like it was cut prior to bottling with a nice chocolate vodka. Were it not for the consistently overwhelming heat, this would be an absolute knockout. As it is, it’s still very good. I bet it’ll be even better in four or five years. It will take at least that long to start to mellow out, I suppose. This stuff is going to legendary, but it’s going to be a long while.
arjoseph (578), Chicago, Illinois, USA
Jan 4, 2009 Bottle into tulip. Sampled during our hotel-room tasting at GABF 2007. Thanks to whoever brought it. Looks oily in the glass, no head at all at first, but produces a dark brown head when swirled. Smell is very, very bourbon (I was surprised when someone let me know this wasn’t barrel-aged; maybe it’s the wine yeast that produces that fruity alcohol smell). The flavor reminded me of GI Bourbon County Stout, but it was not as thick as that beer. Alcohol in the smell is biting, a bit strong, with notes of vanilla and carmel too. Finish is alcohol burn and anise. Very silky, decadent mouthfeel throughout. An experience.
Headbanger (1059), Aurora, Illinois, USA
Jan 2, 2009 16.9 oz bottle #01363 9/17/08(Courtesy of Hopscotch during the CU/WVU throwdown).Pours a pitch black with a small ring for a head. Has an aroma of coffee, smoke, molasses, and roasted malt. The flavor was of the same. This medium to full bodied brew is very well balanced and IMO the alcohol is very well hidden. This beer is PHENOMENAL. Thanks Eric.
Sparky27 (819), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Dec 30, 2008 Rating #800. Bottle #01061 courtesy of GMCC2181. Pours an opaque black with a half finger tan head that faded almost immediately. Nose is alcohol, dark fruits roasted malt and coffee. Taste is chocolate, burnt malt, chalky cocoa, sweet molasses and coffee with a big boozy finish. Wow, this stuff is still extremely hot. Lighter mouth feel than expected. Very good and a sloooooow sipper to be sure. Thanks G to the gizzle, Mc to the mceezy
BrewDad (1803), Olympia, Washington, USA
Dec 30, 2008 Taster – 2008 Great Salt Lake Festivus – Beer Session – Big Impy stout flavors this beer was roasty, toasty and had super malt presence. The flavors warmed up well and made this to be an excellent beer. Strong coffee and chocolate flavors where abundant in this brew. Being the 1st edition this was a treat and a fine way to finish the night.
SpudClampDawg (972), Jasper, Indiana, USA
Dec 29, 2008 <i>500ml bottle #00384:</i> Midnight black pour with a skinny, mocha colored head. The nose is rich with coffee, bitter chocolate, mocha, toffee, milk chocolate and caramelized sugars. Soft esther fruitiness lives below the sweetness. Big, chewy mouthfeel. Not cloying, but very warming in the gut. The coffee has really faded to the background, with a nice rounded cocoa roastiness leading the way. Tastes liked scorched chocolate on the back end. Very good and has aged really well. No time like the present to drink one if you have been aging some.
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