-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Narwhal
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #223 - ABV:
- 10.2%
- Score:
- 93
Ranked #3,931 - Avg:
- 4.16 | pDev: 9.62%
- Reviews:
- 1,125
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 21, 2024
- Added:
- Oct 14, 2012
- Wants:
- 374
- Gots:
- 1,567
A malt-forward monster, highlighting the depths of malt flavor.
Narwhal Imperial Stout is inspired by the mysterious creature that thrives in the deepest fathoms of the frigid Arctic Ocean. Featuring incredible depth of malt flavor, rich with notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, roasted grain and a light hint of smoke, Narwhal is a massive malt-forward monster. Aggressive but refined with a velvety smooth body and decadent finish, Narwhal will age in the bottle for years to come.
Narwhal Imperial Stout is inspired by the mysterious creature that thrives in the deepest fathoms of the frigid Arctic Ocean. Featuring incredible depth of malt flavor, rich with notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, roasted grain and a light hint of smoke, Narwhal is a massive malt-forward monster. Aggressive but refined with a velvety smooth body and decadent finish, Narwhal will age in the bottle for years to come.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by woemad:
Reviewed by woemad from Washington
4.09/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.09/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
12oz bottle from a 4-pk purchased at J.B.’s in Spokane for $10.99. It was literally the last they had of it, which was fitting, as I somehow missed this when it was released. The name reminds of an utterly absurd moment in the movie Elf.
Super viscous-looking when poured into a funky Sam Adams glass. From the looks of it, I could run my car off of it. Modest tan head that dropped fairly quickly into a sudsy ring, but never quite disappeared. Spotty and streaky lace.
Fairly standard aroma for the style. I get brown sugar, coffee, and chocolate. The high abv percentage is not noticeable in the smell.
A little more bitter tasting than the nose indicated, but that helps balance things nicely. In addition to the qualities I noted above, there’s also a prune-like dark fruit flavor, and a little bit of smoke. Quite dry at the swallow. Again, there’s no sign of the high alcohol content.
Fairly full-bodied, with a sticky mouthfeel.
A very tasty addition to the Imperial Stout ranks. Not quite as complex as some, but still very good. Dangerously drinkable at 10.2% alcohol - not a session beer! Glad to see SN do this style of beer.
"Goodbye Mr. Narwhal."
Jan 20, 2013Super viscous-looking when poured into a funky Sam Adams glass. From the looks of it, I could run my car off of it. Modest tan head that dropped fairly quickly into a sudsy ring, but never quite disappeared. Spotty and streaky lace.
Fairly standard aroma for the style. I get brown sugar, coffee, and chocolate. The high abv percentage is not noticeable in the smell.
A little more bitter tasting than the nose indicated, but that helps balance things nicely. In addition to the qualities I noted above, there’s also a prune-like dark fruit flavor, and a little bit of smoke. Quite dry at the swallow. Again, there’s no sign of the high alcohol content.
Fairly full-bodied, with a sticky mouthfeel.
A very tasty addition to the Imperial Stout ranks. Not quite as complex as some, but still very good. Dangerously drinkable at 10.2% alcohol - not a session beer! Glad to see SN do this style of beer.
"Goodbye Mr. Narwhal."
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
4.52/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.52/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle poured into a Spiegelau wheat beer glass.
2023 vintage, 10.2% ABV, bottled 7/31/23
L: Dark brown, blacking out the glass, one finger head, medium brown spongy foam, moderate retention, slick specks of lace, has legs and coats the glass with oily residue.
S: Delicious robust nose. roasted and chocolate malts, sweet indicating ice cream-like aroma, some alcohol, hints of smoke.
T: Malty and sweet to open, woody and roasty bitter finish, it has a sweet molasses and oak-like almost bourbon barrel flavor, complex and interesting.
F: Medium-full body, fairly low carbonation, very creamy and velvety smooth.
O: As far as Russian Imperials go this one suits me well.
Feb 21, 20242023 vintage, 10.2% ABV, bottled 7/31/23
L: Dark brown, blacking out the glass, one finger head, medium brown spongy foam, moderate retention, slick specks of lace, has legs and coats the glass with oily residue.
S: Delicious robust nose. roasted and chocolate malts, sweet indicating ice cream-like aroma, some alcohol, hints of smoke.
T: Malty and sweet to open, woody and roasty bitter finish, it has a sweet molasses and oak-like almost bourbon barrel flavor, complex and interesting.
F: Medium-full body, fairly low carbonation, very creamy and velvety smooth.
O: As far as Russian Imperials go this one suits me well.
Reviewed by LeinenkugelDrinker from Nevada
4.46/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.46/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2023 Narwhal review ONLY
Look: Beautiful. Very dark brown, marginal head.
Smell: Notes of chocolate and grainy booze.
Taste: Malty with a coffee bitterness and subtle hints of chocolate. A slight aftertaste of booze. Excellent.
Feel: Smooth and full bodied.
Overall: This year’s Narwhal certainly does not disappoint. Hopefully I keep enough of them around to age!
Jan 10, 2024Look: Beautiful. Very dark brown, marginal head.
Smell: Notes of chocolate and grainy booze.
Taste: Malty with a coffee bitterness and subtle hints of chocolate. A slight aftertaste of booze. Excellent.
Feel: Smooth and full bodied.
Overall: This year’s Narwhal certainly does not disappoint. Hopefully I keep enough of them around to age!
Reviewed by dkoehler42 from New York
4.07/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.07/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Call me Ishmael. This is Sierra Nevada's 2023 Narwhal. It's an imperial stout at 10.2%. It pours a dark brown that allows no light through it and features a brown head. Roasted malty sweetness dominates the nose. The taste does follow the aroma, but also mixes with a bitterness that seems to alternate between hops and a coffee bitterness. The mouthfeel is a little rough as it lingers. I'm glad I tried it, but I think I'm still hunting for my Moby Dick.
Jan 04, 2024Reviewed by TwilightBeerCareer from Illinois
4.43/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I've always wanted to give this a try, finally found a single. 2023, 10.2% abv. Glad I sprung for one. Very malt forward, with hints of chocolate, espresso, and a tinge of berries. Hides the abv well. Great cold weather sipper.
Nov 27, 2023Reviewed by BruAfrica
4.28/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Look: Jet black pour with a rather brown head that dissipates very quickly. It has a thick, viscous appearance that reminds one of a shot of espresso.
Smell: upon opening the bottle the room was filled with an aroma of dark chocolate and a sweetness that is very pleasant.
Taste: Immediate notes of chocolate and dark malt. Hints of toffee.
Feel: A wonderful full feel with a pleasant aftertaste that makes one's mouth tingle
Overall: I would recommend this beer to anyone who is looking for a nice bitter stout that is not overpowering and can be enjoyed throughout the night without becoming cumbersome.
Nov 22, 2023Smell: upon opening the bottle the room was filled with an aroma of dark chocolate and a sweetness that is very pleasant.
Taste: Immediate notes of chocolate and dark malt. Hints of toffee.
Feel: A wonderful full feel with a pleasant aftertaste that makes one's mouth tingle
Overall: I would recommend this beer to anyone who is looking for a nice bitter stout that is not overpowering and can be enjoyed throughout the night without becoming cumbersome.
Reviewed by TominPA from Pennsylvania
4.66/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.66/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
There are a few Russian Stouts that a re a go-to for me, and Narwhal may be a regular. Poured a 2023 12-oz bottle in ale glass. Tan head was substantial, and nice lacing. Taste is immediately sweet, followed by dark chocolate and good bitterness balance and a lingering, pleasant after-taste. In spite of a 10.2 ABV there is no alcohol burn or off-tastes, and it all balances and comes together. I'm sold! I'll head off to do a back-to-back with my long-time favorite Old Rasputin.
Oct 14, 2023Reviewed by brettsdailybeer from Utah
3.65/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
3.65/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
A robust and heavy brew, just as a stout should be, this beer features rich flavors of dark chocolate and roasted malts. It strikes a masterful balance between sweetness and bitterness. With a potent 10% ABV—a level I personally believe all stouts should aim for—it complements the richness perfectly. This was my first time trying it, but it definitely won't be my last; it's secured a spot as one of my go-to stouts.
Oct 13, 2023
Narwhal from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
93 out of
100 with
5534 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!