robforbes (1110), Bremerton, Washington, USA
| 3.5 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 3/5 | 7/10 | 3/5 | 14/20 | Oct 25, 2009 pours a jet black with a small khaki head, and some lacing.
smell of roasted nuts, some cocoa, and some caramel.
taste is strong, yet smooth, very nutty, cocoa, a little caramel, and definite alcohol presence, ends a little dry.
carl4beer (409), Fairfax Station, Virginia, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 31, 2009 750.... pours dark brown with a little tan head. aroma is almost all cocoa and some malt. mouthful is more of the same with some sweetness. mainly cocoa and some dried fruits. very enjoyable. smith4498 (945), Miami, Florida, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 31, 2009 Bottle from a trade with JohnC. Pours dark brown color with tan head. Aromas of roasted malts and Belgian yeasts. Flavors of toasted malts, caramel, chocolate and some spices. Medium body with lively carbonation. Thanks John. italarican (183), Astoria, New York, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 31, 2009 Pours a dark mocha with a moderately airy khaki head. A 2 mm ring of head remains. Aroma of milk chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, butterscotch, plum, and dates. Rich, deep flavors of milk and dark chocolate, vanilla bean, hops, and toasted pecans. Medium to slightly watery body. A longlasting nutty goodness remains on the plate. Rich, complex, and well-balanced. Very well done. I thought about this hours after drinking: the sign of a good beer. juiceisloose (678), Windermere, Florida, USA
| 4 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 16/20 | Dec 31, 2009 750 ml bottle courtesy Dragonstout and Beervirgin. Pours a very dark chestnut brown color topped by a large, foamy tan colored head that shows great retention. The aroma shows notes of dark cocoa, caramel, toasted pecans, and dark spices. It smells really rich and inviting. The flavor is just as great showing the rich caramel and dark cocoa base along with the toasted pecans and winter spices mixing beautifully. There is just a touch of earthy hops that add some nice bitterness on the back end. Full bodied and finely carbonated that is very smooth and hides the high abv really well. This is definitely a nice winter treat and a really good brew. jhumphries69 (736), Tyrone, Georgia, USA
| 3.7 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 3/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 15/20 | Dec 30, 2009 750ml bottle. Pours very, very dark - might as well be black (highlights are dark brown). Head pours very thick with tiny bubbles, but doesn’t last long. Aroma is rich with caramel toffee and chocolate. There is a hint of peppery phenols and a rich sweet aroma - somewhat like malt extract. Chocolate in the aroma is very strong. There is also a slight funkiness in the aroma that is reminiscent of concentrated carrot juice. The flavor starts sweet with a subtle hint of tartness, big waves of toffee and chocolate. The flavor features more caramel and less chocolate than the aroma. It has a strong sweetness but isn’t cloying thanks to a very dry finish. The beer feels drying all over the mouth - notes of alcohol and cocoa powder. The touch of tartness/acidity persists into the finish. The finish is long, bittersweet, and quite warming from the strong alcohol content. The mouthfeel is luscious - medium-full in body with lots and lots of tingly tickly bubbles. Overall, a very nice brew. As I drink more, I think it could stand to be a little drier and a little more attenuated (the sweetness is very pleasant at first, but makes it less drinkable). But it is certainly a decadent brew. awiseman01 (386), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| 4.1 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 7/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 29, 2009 Bottle from Crown#6, shared with Brothers Eric & Nathan. Pours dark, dark brown with brown edge and huge foamy tan head. Nose is dominated by belgian yeast with slight cocoa in the background. Flavor is surprisingly smooth and creamy. Cocoa totally dominates the flavor, acompanied by a coffee bean flavor, and some roasted nuttiness. Very pleasant, clean finish, I like this alot. The hottness, is disguised, but you’ll know when it ’hits’. nwiseman (28), West Lafayette, Indiana, USA
| 3.8 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 4/10 | 5/5 | 8/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 29, 2009 From bottle graciously shared by awiseman. I smell more fruit than anything in the aroma. Pours almost black with a fluffy tan head. And there’s the cocoa. lots of chocolate. a little like coffee in the bitterness, but thats probably the nibs. lots of spice on the end that I’m having trouble identifying, but are characteristic of this style. A little sharp on the tongue initially but begins to smooth out soon after. Very nice. Not at all what I was expecting. carruthm (1179), Seattle, Washington, USA
| 4.2 | Aroma | Appearance | Flavor | Palate | Overall | | 8/10 | 4/5 | 9/10 | 4/5 | 17/20 | Dec 28, 2009 had out of bottle at a local party, bottle purchased from Bottleworks. grapes and potent spices evident
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