ManvsCity (101), Redmond, Washington, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Oct 31, 2009 Updated: Nov 1, 2009 Bottle from 2009 batch pours a smokey dark red/brown that has no head or lacing, but leaves "legs" on the glass the way a brandy would. The bourbon-licorice-caramel-chocolate aroma is top notch. The taste buds find raisin, buffalo jerky, oak, dried cherries, smoke, leather, and a pretty strong alcohol base. The dry finish leaves your mouth a-tingle from the front of your lips to the bottom of your throat. Like a boozier, more concentrated version of Angle’s Share. While the complexities of aroma and taste are impressive, at $16/bottle, it’s a one time taste experiment. There are at least twenty other beers I would buy before another of these.
punkrkr27 (635), Berkley, Michigan, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Dec 10, 2009 Near black pour with no head. Massive bourbon aroma with soy, black strap molasses, huge smoke note and lots of volatile alcohol. The flavor is overwhelming charred oak, vanilla, soy sauce, and bitter dark chocolate. The body is syrupy with low carbonation. Man, this beer is just HUGE. GranvilleTim (493), Granville, Illinois, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Dec 5, 2009 I am glad I have finally tasted this beer. On tap at Kellehers, Peoria. Black pour, like motor oil with a thin head. Aroma of vanilla, bourbon, coffee. Taste was smooth. Vanilla, bourbon, coffee. Nicely balanced. It lefta great taste in my mouth. A beer to enjoy. I didn’t really taste the alcohol which suprised me due to the content. The aroma hung in the glass after the drink was done. I wished I had a dd so I could of had more. corby112 (741), philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 15/20 | Dec 5, 2009 Sampled on draft at Capone’s on 11/28/2009.
Pours pitch black and completely opaque. Looks like thick motor oil but is completely still without any bubbles or carbonation which is strange since this was on draft.
Dark roasted malt aroma with hints of bitter sweet dark chocolate, subtle coffee and a dominant bourbon presence. Hints of dark fruit and sweet alcohol. Slightly vinous.
Soft carbonation up front followed by slightly chewy medium roasted malt body. Lots of sweet bitter dark chocolate, toffee, subtle coffee and hints of dark fruit, especially grape, prune, raisin, plum and fig. Slightly vinous with sweet alcohol notes and a strong bourbon presence that lasts throughout. Subtle earthy oak tannis with a good bit of vanilla that helps cut down the bourbon heat but the flavor is pretty much dominated by the prominent bourbon character. Sweet and surprisingly not too hot at 12%. ABV decently masked but the bourbon presence gives it a lot of liquor taste. Overall pretty drinkable.
afireinside96 (838), Mountville, Pennsylvania, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 5/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 13/20 | Dec 4, 2009 On tap at Capone’s. Black with a lasting beige head. This "beer" just screams bourbon. The nose is dominated by it with just glimpses of oak, vanilla, and chocolate peeking through. Bourbon is the major player in the flavor department as well, just a bit of vanilla and cocoa come through and they may have come from the bourbon. Body is medium-thin. Not at all impressed with the flavor but have to hand it to them for making this as smooth as it is. Would never have guessed that it is 12% abv. Beerapprentice (130), Hopatcong, New Jersey, USA
| 3.6 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 6/10 | 4/5 | 14/20 | Dec 1, 2009 On draft at Capones. Pours a clear dark brown colour with a slight beige head. Interesting aroma of maple syrup, dark fruits, oak and vanilla. Flavour is the same as the aroma. Has the flavour of maple cough syrup. I understand this is highly rated but I did not enjoy it. kopher (303), New York, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 10/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Nov 30, 2009 2009 bottle.
no pop when uncorked, this pours completely flat. it’s brown-black and fairly thick.
aroma is of charcoal, bourbon, malt, chocolate milk, coffee, figs, roasted nuts, and smoke.
flavor is sweeter, more chocolate milk, with a harsh alcohol front, biting middle and long bittersweet chocolate liquor finish.
the harsh coal elements persist throughout (should have aged it?), and this isn’t really beer, but it’s interesting.
not sure how to rate something that looks, smells, and tastes like liquid charcoal.
also, body was disappointingly thin given the description of "sludge", but had a rich velvety smoothness. fonefan (11640), VestJylland, Denmark
| 4.4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 9/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 18/20 | Nov 24, 2009 Bottle 375ml. @ DØE Tasting, Fox & Hounds, Holstebro. Clear dark brown color with a average to large, creamy to frothy, good lacing, fully lasting, light light brown head. Aroma is roasted, chocolate, coffee, light burnt, cocus, red wine - bourbon, wood - vanilla, driied fruit. Flavor is heavy sweet, light light red wine acidic and heavy bitter with a long duration. Body is medium to full, texture is creamy, carbonation is soft, finish feel is light moderate alcoholic - bourbon. [20090929] luttonm (307), Belgrade, Serbia
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Nov 22, 2009 At Brouwer’s Cafe in Seattle as a special treat from @trevor211 at my US homecoming. The pour is beautiful with a nicely subtle head. Nose is very boozy, and bourbon, wood and smoky chocolate. Tastes exactly like bourbon was poured on top! Leathery and full taste, but the body is remarkably light. flavor is there but the whole package is a bit under wrought. Not my fave but impressive, up there with the big bourbony stouts buts not complete.
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