Black Magick - Voodoo Brewing Company

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BA SCORE
93
exceptional
-
268 Ratings

rAvg: 4.17
pDev: 12.95%
Reviews: 198
Hads: 70

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Voodoo Brewing Company

Pennsylvania, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 15.00% ABV

Availability: Spring. bottle (197), growler (1).

Notes:
This is an Imperial Stout that is of great strength and complexity. We then gently age that beer in Elaigh Craig 13 1/2 year old Bourbon Barrels for 6 months to 1 yr. and then primed and bottled to bottle condition for continued aging and celler life. Black Magick should be able to be aged up to about 5 years, to heighten the complexity and smooth nature of this beer.

First Black Magick brewed in Feb 2007. Released 2009. = 15% ABV

Second Black Magick brewed in 2009 and released 2011. = 15.5% ABV

Third (next) was brewed 2010 with a scheduled release of Feb 2012 = ??? ABV

View: Beers (33) | Reviews (9) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by stakem:

stakem

Pennsylvania

4.28/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I am down to my last couple of bottles and seriously cannot believe I never took the time to review one of these. With the talk of the next years release (batch 3) already in the air, I was amazed that I haven't reviewed either previous batch so this one is from the latest release (batch 2). 12oz bottle into a snifter, the brew appears black with a finger of tan head that slowly recedes. When held to the light, a faint line of lighter brown clarity is seen around the edge. As the cap slowly fades, some finger-like strings of lace stick to the wall of the glass.

The smell of this brew is absolutely rich with bourbon barrel qualities. A sweet boozy inclusion hits the nose first with an alcohol tang that gives way to all the succulent barrel qualities and nuances. Vanilla, coconut, cocoa, caramel... all of it is here with a solid balance that contrasts the dark bitter grain base. Coffee and light citrus notes are a faint afterthought to the backend of the nose.

The taste is almost a sick joke as it takes all the wonderful aromas and packs it seeming with identical quality in the flavor. There is no denying the bourbon heat that is upfront in the flavor profile that gives way to a hearty bitter roasted grain quality that is flavored with coffee and unsweetened cocoa. As the beer rests inside the mouth, the subtle barrel quality comes forth with a flavor of caramel, toasted oak, vanilla and coconut. The vanilla lingers in the mouth mixed with the grain that really draws out the chocolate flavoring.

This is a full bodied brew with a light level of carbonation. After a couple of sips I have to laugh because now I remember why I haven't reviewed this yet. Every time I crack one of these open, I just want to sit and enjoy it without thinking about it. This is a fantastic brew that is one of the best barrel aged beers coming out of my home state. If you love bold, aggressive flavored imperial stouts, this is an absolute must-try. I feel bad for recalling from memory at this point but after recently having both batch 1 and 2 in a side by side tasting, it is amazing how this batch 2 drinks a bit more mellow and better balanced.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2011 03:38:57 | More by stakem

More User Reviews:

HoppyBastard1

Pennsylvania

4.75/5 rDev +13.9%

05-20-2013 22:20:03 | More by HoppyBastard1

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.25/5 rDev +1.9%

05-19-2013 01:31:23 | More by Photekut

writerLJBerg

Oregon

3.64/5 rDev -12.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle from beerisheaven, a long time ago. First bottling (unlabeled)

A: Obscenely black. Leaves very little of the mocha head after a decent pour. Sharp legs albeit not very dense.

N: Bourbon, oak, soy sauce, fudge. Lots of vanilla, some caramel, and a heaping spoonful of coconut. Very sweet, and when I draw in the aroma, it warms my nose like bourbon does. There's a hint of oxidation, cherry syrup, and some brandy.

T: Starts with an aggressive roast and bitterness. Adds a touch of sweetness through the middle and finishes up with oak and charcoal. Hint of salt and iron.

M: Potent stuff. Really strong - to the point where it opens my eyes a little wider. Quite thick, but it's rather drying. Alcohol seems to have eased off the throttle.

O: A solid beer with a lot to offer if you like ash and cigars, but it might do with a touch more sweetness. Holding up pretty well, though.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 15:53:47 | More by writerLJBerg

Kelp

New Hampshire

4.75/5 rDev +13.9%

05-04-2013 23:31:42 | More by Kelp

iL0VEbeer

New Jersey

4.75/5 rDev +13.9%

04-28-2013 19:42:29 | More by iL0VEbeer

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.15/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This particular Black Magic is batch 2- just had it tonight after a couple of years aging. The aging has probably done this beer well- no harsh edges at all, and the very high abv is well integrated with a very smooth finish and no burn. Still lots of flavor and aromas here, but sadly, the bourbon is much diminished. Pours viscous and oily, with just a modicum of head, jet black- quite impressive really. A bit of tar in the nose, with just a whiff of soy sauce (that luckily doesn't show up in the flavor- I hate that taste! Bad remembrances of Sam Adams Triple Bock) and a bit more Bourbon notes- with some vanilla, and touch of high octane, and some light coconut and chocolate. The taste is seemlessly integrated, perhaps even a tad too much at this point- it could just a bit more edge. Flavors almost reminiscent of red wine, with some coffee and chocolate notes, and finally some Bourbon on the finish. In fact the lingering note is of the Bourbon straight- but not as you're drinking it, but as a memory of how the Bourbon tasted moments ago. Silky smooth on the palate, that has surely improved over time. I've waited awhile to drink this, and as enjoyable as it is, I think I'd probably have liked it more overall if I'd had it younger.

Serving type: bottle

04-24-2013 03:17:22 | More by Georgiabeer