Narwhal Imperial Stout - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

zeff80

Missouri

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - Poured out an opaque, jet-black color with a one-finger, light brown head of bubbly foam. It left thin rings of lace on the glass.

S - It smelled of dark chocolate and roasted malt. There was a touch of pine.

T - Great blend of dark chocolate, burnt molasses, toffee and roasted malt. A slight piney bitterness added balance.

M - It was crisp, sharp and smooth. A medium to full bodied ale with a dry finish.

O - This is a really nice Russian Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-14-2012 03:59:25 | More by zeff80

JamesMN

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: In a long list of the most opaque black beers out there. Two finger light brown head that leaves nice lacing.

Aroma: Coffee, molasses, cream, chocolate syrup.

Taste: Heavy on the bitter black coffee flavor. Dark chocolate as well but not as prominent. Not quite as roasty as I was expecting but still quite robust. Very bitter probably more due to the malt bill than the hops utilized because there is no discernible hop presence. Still, a nice change of pace from the usual RIS (although I probably wouldn't classify it as such). Dry finish and lingering black coffee bitterness.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a good level of carbonation and pretty easy to drink but more of a sipper.

Final Thoughts: Not my favorite but a very good Imperial Stout, especially if you like coffee flavor in your stouts. Would I drink it again? Yep, got a few in the cellar to see how it does with some age on it.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 03:54:35 | More by JamesMN

barleywinefiend

Washington

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Poured a jet black, some carbonation, one finger brown head, some lacing

S: Roasted malt, slight chocolate, coffee. Good but standard.

T: Big hearty backbone with dark chocolate, coffee, some burnt notes. Mild Bitterness in the finish.I laso deteced some black liquorice.

M: Heavy bodied, some carbonation, smooth.

O: Good. This should age very well as most SN offerings do.

Serving type: bottle

11-19-2012 21:58:15 | More by barleywinefiend

Kromes

Georgia

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a tulip. Pitch black with a finger's width brown head and lacing down the glass.

Roasted malts, coffee, alcohol and grassy hop aromas.

A nice sweet roasted malt and cherry fruit flavor up front. The dark fruit is then overtaken by an alcohol and grassy hop flavor which continues into the finish with a lingering smoky roasted bitterness.

Full bodied and a little oily. Good carbonation to add a peppery feel.

A nice strong RIS. Quality stuff here and not for the light beer crowd. Packed with flavor and a strong alcohol presence, yet it remains smooth and drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

11-23-2012 21:03:31 | More by Kromes

Jwale73

Rhode Island

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I've been looking forward to trying this beer since I first heard about it. 12oz. bottle served in a tulip. Pours an inky black with a fizzy and effervescing two inch, mocha-colored head that sizzles and pops as it gradually collapses into a sudsy slick with a thin, bubbly band around the edges. Nose expresses dark, roasted malts, chocolate and brewers licorice - there's also a slight artificial sweetener character that reveals itself towards the back. Taste follows nose; however, there's also some smokiness in the flavor profile as well as molasses. Mouthfeel is medium-light (but closer to medium), with slightly oily texture, as well as a mild, even carbonation. Overall, a very solid RIS from a very solid brewery. Alcohol is extremely well-hidden, and balance is great. The only detracting qualities for me are the slight, artificial sweetener presence in the nose and in the flavor. Also, while the carbonation is not overly assertive, I would like to see it dissipate a little more. All and all, this beer is well worth your time if you enjoy the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 00:38:56 | More by Jwale73

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured into my yeti sniffer (because I could) a deep standard brown black color. A handsome looking beer with it's dense mocha head and what looks to be desent carbonation.
Aroma I thought was the weak point in that I could barely detect any aroma. I could barely smell some roasted malts and espresso.
Taste was fine. Had a roasted malt flair with coffee espresso cocoa and some ash.
Drinks really smooth and hides that alcohol quite well.
A good well made beer but, it's a safe beer being that to me, it's not very aggressive.
Taking a que from Charlie Manuel, but then again on the other hand this would be my first case of Imp stout I would buy.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 12:47:38 | More by micromaniac129

drabmuh

Maryland

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is black with a tan head, thin, small bubbles, some lacing, moderate to low carbonation.

Aroma is sweet, a little boozy, a little roasty / malty. Smells nice.

Beer is medium in body, sweet, pretty nice for an off the shelf RIS. I'd have it again for sure. There is a mild sweetness, mild alcohol, nice bitterness, overall a nice beer. Yum.

Serving type: bottle

12-04-2012 14:02:53 | More by drabmuh

McD0uche

California

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a bottle into a pint glass:

A: Pours a nice dark black/brown color that resembles cola. A small brown head froths up and dies down after a moment. Lacing exists! Looks like a stout for sure. Carbonation is present but not pronounced.

S: Chocolate, vanilla, wood, roasted malts, dark fruits. Nutty and inviting, smells like a chocolate bar.

*NOTE* I am a little congested at the moment. It's possible that I'm missing the full spectrum here. Same goes for taste.

T: Much like the smell, with rich chocolate at the forefront. Fruity notes play in the mix. Definite boozy flavor.

M: Carbonation is at a good level. Has a medium, oily body and finishes a little wet.

O: This was an enjoyable and worthy RIS. Unfortunately, it didn't supply anything extra that left a lasting impression on me. Overall, I'd say this is worth trying out if you can get it.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 23:26:00 | More by McD0uche

CheeseheadNation

Indiana

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

A - I love how dark this pours. Two fingers of light brown head leaving spotted lacing. A very heavy looking RIS.

S - Bold roasted notes of coffee, cocoa and molasses.

T - Smoky with cocoa nibs and black coffee upfront. Slight earthyness, malt and dark fruit on the finish. Alcohol is hidden decently.

M - Med to Full with low carbonation. Not as full as I would want a RIS but still quite lush.

One of the best bang for the buck RIS on the market. Very impressed with the quality. Would love to try it on tap at some point. I'll have to cellar a few to try this time next year.

Serving type: bottle

12-15-2012 04:42:09 | More by CheeseheadNation

dfillius

Michigan

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured into a pint. Enjoyed with polenta and bean salad
A: 1/3 finger of dark brown head with good retention. Nearly opaque dark brown/black liquid. A tad more head please - it faded to nothing.
S: Milk chocolate, toasted fennel seed, black pepper. Only a very slight amount of booze when warmer, thankfully. Not harsh.
T: Some breathy esters open, coffee and chocolate dominate. Very dark chocolate. Quite hoppy middle. Bright citrus and pine. Hops stand up well to the malt. I'd prefer the estery breath to not be there.
M: Smooth open, bitter hoppy middle, roasty bitter dry finish. Robust and not hot. Some chest warmth, but not on the palate.
O: Enjoyable, solid RIS. I wouldn't expect less from Sierra Nevada. I would buy again. 1 is enough for a night. I'm interested to try it aged to see if the slight booze calms down.

Serving type: bottle

12-17-2012 01:12:35 | More by dfillius

jrenihan

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Beer is black with a small tan head. Head fades quickly, leaving a bit of lace.

Aroma contains vanilla. roasted malt and coffee. Nice although nothing out of the ordinary for the style.

Lots of coffee and roasted malt in the taste. Some vanilla as well. Nice and full but standard.

Full bodied, moderate carbonation. Thick.

Overall, good and enjoyable but nothing surprising.

Serving type: on-tap

01-02-2013 00:06:07 | More by jrenihan

Wishdiak

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Pours jet black and opaque, with minimal reddish-brown head and minimal lacing.
S: Malty with chocolate and coffee scents.
T: Chocolate and coffee dominate. Not boozy. Slightly bitter finish.
M: Good full body, low carbonation.
O: A solid RIS, but not great.

Serving type: bottle

01-06-2013 02:29:26 | More by Wishdiak

muchloveforhops3

Oregon

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle into tulip glass

p- poured at beer fridge temp (39 degrees F); standard black w/ a 1f tan head; quick recession to small cap; 4/5

n- soft-med; I pick up some sweet licorice, plums, molasses, and chocolate; should get bolder as it warms; 3.5/5; hasn't gotten as bold as I would have liked, but definitely more chocolaty

t- primarily smooth, sweet choc malt and coffee, supplemented by dark choc and dark fruits in the finish; residual coffee sweetness/bitterness in aftertaste; a touch of metallic bitterness is detected here and there in the finish; alcohol is well-hidden; good flavor; nice balance between sweet and bitter; 4/5

mf- outstanding; full-bodied and creamy; soft-medium carb; coating fin; essentially everything that a good imperial stout's mouthfeel should have, imo; best attribute of this beer; 5/5

o- seems easy to drink (the taste continues to beg successive sips), although the full body of the beer would catch up with me after awhile I think, thus cutting down the drinkability; SN has done it again- another great beer! would definitely have again; 4/5

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 08:09:43 | More by muchloveforhops3

vandemonian

Maryland

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout is a dark and tasty imperial stout.

A: Black colour and a 3 mm head that lasts pretty well. 4

S: Malty with some dark, burnt flavours. Some fresh hoppiness too. 4

T: Sharp burnt malt and dark fruit. Definitely a full-on start. The finish has some sweetness and ash flavour. 4.

M: Thick. Pretty low carbonation. 4

O: 4

Serving type: bottle

01-30-2013 05:04:01 | More by vandemonian

andrewjraab

Michigan

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Purchased a solo bottle from Sicialiano's market

A - Deep motor oil black, thick and syrupy, 1 finger thick of khacki head with not much lacing or retention to speak of.

S - Dark Chocolate, roasted coffee, charred wood, and a whisper of smoke.

T - Silky smooth bittersweet chocolate, coffee, vanilla bean, booze, slightly bitter and drying finish, but not overpowering. Overall, velvety soft mouthfeel.

O - One of the smoothest and drinkable Russian Imperial Stout I have had. A definite must try.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 22:04:27 | More by andrewjraab

far333

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Dark brown with a low beige head that settles out quickly. Inviting aroma of cocoa and espresso, some raisin. Rich flavors upfront, dark chocolate, espresso, root beer, molasses, smoke and leather, some rough-edged roasty malt, sharp bitterness, interesting mix of flavors. Full mouthfeel, but slightly tannic and warming. Good beer.

Serving type: bottle

03-06-2013 01:03:29 | More by far333

sjverla

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

Nose: Lots of coffee. Alcohol. Burnt sugar. Dark chocolate and a slight hint of vanilla.

Appearance: Black with mahogany highlights at the where light barely seeps in. About .5" of head that rose and fell quickly.

Taste: Enormous. Bitter coffee and semisweet chocolate. Full, viscous and smooth feel is incredibly satisfying. The finish is hot - a tad too much actually. A little age might be a good thing.

Overall: Damn good. A little too boozy young, but some age might do this some good. Also, the cut on the roof of my mouth might be causing issues.

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 22:26:49 | More by sjverla

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.99/5  rDev -3.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black and dark brown pour out the bottle, impressive depth and thickness to it. Solid 1+" head on it, tan in color, great density, retention and lacing to it. This is professional grade appearance.

Aroma was full of roasted and chocolate malt. They definitely didn't skimp. Already wondering how the pricing on this can be so affordable (4/$9.99). Plenty of coffee like aromas, the dark, sludgy variety that sits on the pot all day at Denny's.

The taste is substantial bitterness that falls off the tongue as the large body absorbs and washes it away. As usual, Sierra Nevada doesn't short you on the hops. Very dry in the end. Not going to be mistaken for a milk stout, that's for sure. Alcohol in check.

A beer like this should make you re-evaluate why you spend $10 on a bomber of imperial stout that probably isn't as good as this.

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2013 22:27:21 | More by Beerandraiderfan

JasonL

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I am a big SN fan and this type of beer from them doesn't come out much so I wanted to try it badly. I am a big stout fan and this one from them didn't disappoint me. It has a high price tag but I think its for a good reason. The ABV is 10.2% per bottle and the taste and body is superb. It is a well crafted beer which I come to expect from SN. The first sip from this stout was really bitter and strong but half way down the bottle I begin to taste to nice coffee and chocolate notes which defines a nice stout. Just a warning this beer has a strong ABV content so a four pack is like drinking 9 Budweisers.

Overall I love SN and they always instill to impress me with every new brew they craft and this one doesn't disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2012 20:54:26 | More by JasonL

jpro

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz single picked up from Total Wine. Poured into tulip...

A: Pours with an ink-like blackness; two-finger mocha head leaves a ring of retention and few short-lived strands of lace; looks pretty bold.

S: Deep, dark, roasted malt; dark chocolate; coffee notes; sweet.

T: Bitter, charred malt; dark chocolate / chocolate syrup; chicory on end; pretty big oily hop finish.

M: Medium-full mouthfeel; high carbonation with some zing; not quite as full or as slick I'd like in an imperial stout.

O: A very nice Russian imperial stout from Sierra Nevada; is this a new seasonal? a one off? Interesting as its kind of out of nowhere. Big and bold and somewhat reminiscent of Old Rasputin - that's what it initially reminded me of, at least. A good beer, even with the slightly off mouthfeel. I'd have another - maybe on a cold winter night!

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 18:44:29 | More by jpro

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours jet-black with 4 fingers of caramel colored head. Good lacing & average head retention

S: Roastyness & cocoa, some boozeyness, faint figgyness

T: Follows the nose, dark fruit as well, some charred grain & some booze rake across your tongue up front. Some coffee as this warms, a bit of carob & booze, plus some faint raisin, then a smattering of charred grain & roastyness, plus woody & herbal hops. Finishes dry, fruitty, with carob, roasty grains & the specter of ainise

MF: Fairly chewy with light carbonation, fairly warming. Carbonation perks up as this warms

A nice take on the style, I need to do a side by side with old Raspy, I don't this quite beats that , but kudos to Sierra Nevada for spreading its wings. Would buy again to be sure, a little less boozeyness would help the cause. Will age great I'm sure

Serving type: bottle

11-28-2012 03:19:39 | More by russpowell

StoutHunter

Michigan

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I picked up a four pack of Sierra Nevada's Narwhal Imperial Stout a couple weeks ago for $10.99 at The Lager Mill. Russian Imperial Stouts are one of my favorite styles and Sierra Nevada is one solid brewery so I couldn't pass up the chance to give this beer a try, so lets see how it goes. This is the first time this beer has been bottled, 2012 vintage. Poured from a shorter brown 12oz bottle into a snifter.

A- I like the name and the artwork for this beer, it's nicely done and it's pretty unique much like the animal it's named after. It poured a nice and dark motor oil black color that didn't let any light come through and it had two and a half fingers worth of fluffy light mocha colored head that died down to a thin ring that stayed till the end and left some nice and sticky patches of lacing. This is a very good looking beer with a nice dark color and more head then usual for this style, there's not a damn thing wrong with it.

S- The aroma starts off with loads of dark roasted malts that have a higher amount of sweetness to them and imparted some roasted, charred, chocolate, molasses, cocoa powder, coffee, black licorice, and a slight bit of tobacco towards the end. I don't pick up any hops in the aroma but I do get a sweet boozy aroma. The aroma is nice and it's very true to style, the booze shows up a little too much, but it doesn't hurt this beer that much.

T- The taste seems to be pretty damn similar to the aroma and it starts off the same with lots of roasted malts that have a higher amount of medium sweetness and impart some highly roasted flavors along with some chocolate, coffee, and a slight tobacco and black licorice flavor. After that comes a sweet molasses flavor followed by a good amount of dark fruits that add some complexity to the flavor. On the finish I get some warming alcohol that makes the flavor a little boozy and the aftertaste is full of sweet roasted and charred malts. This beer tastes good and is very true to style, it has nice complexity, but the boozyness hurts it a little.

M- Not that smooth, somewhat creamy, a little sticky, very rich, full bodied, and it had a pretty good amount of medium carbonation. The mouthfeel was ok, but it would be nice if this was a little smoother.

Overall I thought this was a good beer and a good example of the style, it had just about all the aspects that I look for in the style with some good complexity, but it didn't seem to be as balanced as some of the better RIS's. This beer had ok drinkability, it's a sipper and the flavors did a good job at holding my attention, but I think one would be enough for me, it might start to be to boozy after that. What I liked the most about this beer was it's complexity and it's appearance, they were both pretty good. What I liked the least about this beer was the mouthfeel and the drinkability, it was a little rough around the edges and it would be nice if this beer was smoothed out a little. I would buy this beer again, it's pretty solid and affordable for the style, I might keep a couple bottles for the cellar to see how they change overtime and I would get a four pack if it's released again. All in all I thought this was a pretty solid Russian Imperial Stout, but it lacked the balance and refinement that some of the better ones have, it's good but It can't hang with the world class RIS's like Founders RIS or Bell's Expedition Stout. Sierra Nevada makes some solid beers and this one's no exception, they seem to be one of the most constant breweries and I respect that.

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2012 03:59:40 | More by StoutHunter

CA_Infidel2o9

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12oz to a Tulip

A- jet black, 1" dark brown head

S- dark roasted coffee, dark chocolate, floral, almost fruity, earthy, alcohol

T- cocoa nibs, smokey, leather, slightly fruity, alcohol

M- oily, average carbonation

O- the first 3 of the 4 pack i drank fairly quickly after i bought it and each time it was way to boozy, so i decided to sit on this one for a while, and it seems that's all this brew needed. It was pretty good and the booze had subsided considerable and i think if i would have waiting even long it would have been even better. Still IMO it's nothing to write home about and i have had better.

Serving type: bottle

12-19-2012 17:17:25 | More by CA_Infidel2o9

jlindros

Massachusetts

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a darker caramel mocha colored creamy almost 1 finger head that fades slowly with nice lacing, over pretty much pitch black beer, and decent legs to go with the lacing.

Nose has plenty of dark malts, black malt, some roast, hint of charred almost acrid roast, a little espresso from the roast not from actual coffee, light fluffy nougat but no chocolate. a bit of earthy hops, some caramel and booze round off the nose.

Taste starts with burnt char, really charred roasted malts, and black malts that seem like they will get acrid but don't, at first. Dark malts is the key, tons of roasted malts that start to get a little soy sauce like as acrid flavors do start to come through, so much black malt and roast, with a bit of espresso from the roasted malts again. A bit of caramel and nougat again, as well as the complete lack of chocolate. Also some light earthy hops add to the bitterness that comes initially from the roasted malts. Some warming booze in the middle. Finish brings a decent amount of bitterness, some earthy spicy hops really come through on the finish, as well as bitterness from the char, a semi sticky sweetness, little syrupy, and some booze warmth on the back end, as well as plenty more black malts and roast.

Mouth is fuller bodied, slightly creamy but a bit syrupy, some booze warmth, fluffy nice carb.

Overall mixed, it has some good points, the hops come in nicely, the fluffiness, booze is hidden fairly well, and it will surely age well. However, too much roast and black malt flavors for now, a bit acrid, little soy sauce, etc. However, I think this will be a great beer in 2-3 years so I'll probably bunker a few down in the cellar.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 02:17:28 | More by jlindros

Damian74Shensky

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle poured into a tumbler.

A- Black with a quickly dissipating tan head.
S-Chocolate, Alcohol
T-Roasted Malts, slight chocolate, Alcohol
M- full body, medium carbonation, malty, syrupy and black licorice.
O- Good beer, just had a not-so-great flavor aftertaste. But was worth it, would get again.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 01:54:41 | More by Damian74Shensky