Narwhal Imperial Stout - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

jmerloni

Massachusetts

3.65/5  rDev -12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A - Solid black. There's no light getting through this one. Pours thick and oily with a big chewy looking brown head that keeps a nice film and laces pretty evenly down the glass.

S - Boozy chocolate, roasted java, with a heady vanilla overtone. Nice.

T - Booze really comes through first, followed by flurry of dark cocoa and heavily roasted/bold java. Booziness is a little overpowering on the palate and lingers after each sip.

M - A thicker beer than you might originally realize. The carbonation is pretty heavy here, and it makes the beer seem lighter than it is. This is a full, heavy, chewy beer - and it would be good that way. But the carbonation clouds it.

D - A decent beer with room for improvement. Sierra Nevada should dum down the carbonation and let this beer speak for itself. This would be better between 8.0-9.0% abv and would benefit from a dark chocolate flavor profile rather than the dark/unsweetened cocoa profile that is pronounced here.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2012 00:20:03 | More by jmerloni

BB1313

Ohio

3.53/5  rDev -14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. Pours black with some brown hues, mocha head which fades quickly and leaves decent lacing and retention. There's lots of char and smoke up front. Lots of chocolate malts as well. There's also a touch of roasted coffee beans and vanilla beans. The flavors are aggressively bitter. The hop presence isn't shy. Very roasty. The coffee really comes through in the flavors. Blast of anise. No sweetness. There's subtle heat going on with this one, slightly boozy. Mouthfeel has active carbonation, slightly syrupy, but on the lighter side of full-bodied. The alcohol is noticeable. Rough around the edges, but it works with the cold weather.

I've enjoyed my time with Narwhal. I have one more I'm going to age. I think time will do this stout very well.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 23:32:39 | More by BB1313

smakawhat

Maryland

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from the bottle into a snifter glass.

Out of the bottle pours dark brown, then hits with some very dark black walnut, almost midnight. Forms a solid cocoa and coffee like head, with lots of pinhead bubbles. Settles slowly, and manages to always keep a nice collar while drinking and a decent puck. Lots of leg coating and spotted catty lacing on the glass.

Nose is a little subtle. Simple roasted malts, but a nice waffer and ovaltine chocolate sense. Whoppers candy and malt. Mild char action, but mostly kind of closed. There is this sense this is sort of airy and light. Otherwise solid, not getting any coffee sense.

Palate hits with anything but. First notes of hop lime and grapefruit in the front palate, moves to a thick but waffer like dark bitter chocolate while consuming. Large surprising body melding with notes of char and more cocoa powder. Not particularly finding coffee on this but it's a superb feel, large since it seems unexpected from the bouquet.

Overall a great balance between hop action and roasted malt, a very controlled and fun beer, with not a boozy taste either for 10, a real fantastic stout very enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 20:54:31 | More by smakawhat

PicoPapa

Connecticut

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle. Pours a pitch black color with dark brown hues and a ring of brown head. Minimal lacing. Aromas of espresso, dark chocolate, roasted malts, vanilla, and maybe even a bit of bubble gum. The taste is dark bitter chocolate and espresso. Smokey, roasted malts as well. Some vanilla and an overall sweetness flavor. Hints of caramel. Dark chocolate and coffee finish. Full bodied. I really liked the 30th Anniversary RIS so I was glad to hear they were releasing another Russian Imperial Stout. Overall, solid beer worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 19:37:37 | More by PicoPapa

Pinknuggets

Vermont

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Bottle into a Lawson's Sniffer

A:dark brown almost the color of black coffee with a very thin mocha head totally opaque throughout most of it

S: a deep aroma of roasted coffee beans and a hint of malt, very chocolatey and smooth right up my ally

T: yum the taste follows the nose lots of dark chocolate at first that then fades into a coffee flavor that quickly mixes with the bitterness of the malt. The finish is roasted coffee and bitterness 4.5

M:thin for an IS smooth and easy to drink and it definitely will warm you up on a cold night. Very low carbonation doesn't blow me away.

O: I really like this one balanced taste and true to the style the abv is well hidden. Above average imperial stout and good for being readily available but not my favorite

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 19:29:12 | More by Pinknuggets

Flightoficarus

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours an extremely deep black hue, with a thick, creamy sepia head. Lacing/retention are mild.

S - Smell is of roasted espresso beans, bakers chocolate, and vanilla.

T - Taste is of rich, velvety-smooth chocolate malts, with notes of caramel and molasses. Finishes with mildly bitter espresso notes. Incredibly well balanced overall between malty sweetness and hop bitterness.

M - Full-bodied, and velvet-smooth, with light carbonation.

O - Overall, a fantastic imperial stout, and one I wouldn't hesitate to return to in the future. Sierra Nevada did a stellar job here!

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 10:05:02 | More by Flightoficarus

ZAP

Minnesota

4.18/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A-Black with ruby hues..

S-Shaved chips of quality dark chocolate....dark fruits (prunes, raisins, dried black cherries, plums)....some light coffee

T-Rich and malty...hop load is dialed back which I can enjoy....roasty malts lend a decadent expensive chocolate flavor....light coffee...dark fruits still there but lighter than on the nose...a bitter splash of alcohol on the late finish....

M-Big....Rich....Full Bodied...Fits the Bill....right about where it should be....

O-An impressive IMPY...would seem to be on par with most of the heavy hitters...great price too....

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 07:22:48 | More by ZAP

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.9/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 12 oz bottle into a 8 oz snifter.

A- pours jet black with a 1 finger beige head. Some blotches of lacing remain.

S- dark chocolate, coffee, roast and an herbal tone (not mint).

T- bitter coffee, dark chocolate, again herbal something, and bitter pine.

M- medium body and carbonation. Slick, chalky and slightly dry.

O- this is a hoppy RIS for sure. Almost reminds me more of a imperial black ale, but where do you draw the line? Still a very good and enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 04:04:30 | More by kawilliams81

Scotchboy

Idaho

4.13/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

SN Imperial Stout? Yes please. 12oz bottle split three ways into snifters...

A: A very dark opaque pour yields a very dark brown head with great lacing.

S: Tons of bitter roasted coffee on the nose, and an ever-present leafy hop bitterness (hey, this is SN)...bakers chocolate and deep dark roasted malt. RIS to a 'T'.

T: Follows the nose perfectly, roasty and bitter with copious amounts of coffee notes, dark chocolate notes, hints of darker fruit and licorice, dark roasted malt, almost burnt to the point of being a touch smoky? Light lingering herbal hop notes as well.

MF: Creamy with pretty good carbonation...a touch viscous with a bit of an alcohol burn (hey, at 10.2% its really buried, which is nice).

O: Impressed. Toss this thing in some harsh rye whiskey barrels and I'd say you have an all-time great RIS. As it stands its a great drinker now, and the alcohol is well-hidden.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 14:49:56 | More by Scotchboy

Naters333

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle into my tulip.

A-Has a deep black color with great tan head. Retains a nice lacing

S-Columbia roasted coffee.

T- Has a pure chocolate taste. Pure chocolate has an extreme bitter taste that is awful, but this is kind of nice and not as strong. I can tell this is a higher alcohol beer. Kind of hot, but not too bad. Then again I like kind of a strong presence of alcohol.

M- What a great mouthful. Can really get the full effect of the bitterness of this beer. Bitter being an ok thing with this beer. The mouthful brings me back to that Columbia or strong coffee taste and smell.

O- A really nice beer. Fantastic to sip on. Very smooth and easy to drink even though you can taste the alcohol. Looking forward to seeing how this ages.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2012 07:57:51 | More by Naters333

oberon

North Carolina

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours jet black with a thinner deep mocha colored head atop,no light got thru even when held to the light.Deep roast,char, and smoke dominate the nose with underlying bitter chocolate,it smells a bit raw and in your face.Wow alot of different stuff going on on the palate,dark roast coffee,deep char and smoke, with a molasses,licorice, and alcohol induced sweetness that really hits home,I was right this is in your face.This is a big brash imperial stout,it's a little rough around the edges...in a good way.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 23:54:21 | More by oberon

GarthDanielson

New Hampshire

4.23/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 vintage, this was poured from a bottle into a mug. The beer is almost completely jet-black, with some chestnut highlights. No head, but there is a touch of bubbly filmy ringing around the surface. Aromas of chocolate, roasted coffee, a touch of booze, and earthy tones. Flavors are strong and rich, with a heavy roasted coffee backbone supporting a boozey and oaky highlight. Very deep and layered. Bittersweet chocolate laces throughout the palate, as well as a touch of bourbon. The aftertaste is bittersweet and roasty, with a slight booze linger as well. The beer is rich, but very smooth in mouth, and fairly light for an RIS, which makes it extremely palatable. Smooth, bitter, and rich finish. Very easy to drink despite the increased ABV and "big" flavor profiles.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 23:41:46 | More by GarthDanielson

ocelot2500

Arizona

4.33/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a jet black color with a tight, light brown head that leaves little bits of lacing.

Smells of deep roasted notes with some dark fruits.

Tastes of the full roasted notes with a touch of bitterness on the backend. Leads off with coffee and semi-sweet chocolate. A bit of roasted bitterness comes through in the middle. Licorice also comes through near the end and is complemented by some dark fruit notes. Finishes with a slight molasses note.

Mouthfeel is full with a creamy amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is a very good stout that is definitely worth checking out.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 03:46:09 | More by ocelot2500

augustg

Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A- Black, this ones dark with a nice tan head on top.

S- Immediate chocolate and slight coffee. very malty.

T- Sweet and chocolate up front. Finishes with the roast malt

M- Not as thick as expected. A bit over carbonated for my taste in Imperial Stouts

D- Really surprisingly nice Imperial Stout! Pick this one up for sure.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 02:13:39 | More by augustg

sniper061

New York

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: poured into a snifter. This beer is black, like a moonless night, kinda black
S: smells of dark roast malt, coffee, dark chocolate, molasses, you can also smell leather. which paired nicely with a dark cigar
T: flavors of charred wood, dark chocolate, a bit of coffee, burnt sugars, dark roasted malt, slight oily hop presence. swallow brings more huge flavors of roast malt and an espresso finish
M: thick beer with a nice mouthfeel. It coats your tongue like a warm friendly blanket.
O: It's enornous, it's velvety smooth and it doesn't punch you in the mouth but it can probably put you down after a few. alcohol is very well hidden. This beer is absolutely phenomenal and a steal at the price point it sells for.

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 11:46:56 | More by sniper061

RoamingGnome

Wisconsin

4.3/5  rDev +3.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Tasting Notes from 11/2/12. Poured from 12oz bottle into CBS snifter. This was served at cellar temperature.

A) Pitch black as expected. Nice thick 2 finger mocha head, which settled to a dusting relatively quickly. Decent lacing+ some legs.

S) I found the aroma pleasant, but not as pronounced as I expected. Dark roast, light coffee, malt sweetness that came off like brown sugar+ vanilla, kind of like a cookie dough. There was a whiff of booze.

T) Wonderful... Heavy roast+ some coffee flavor. Plenty of chocolate, and pleasing sweetness. Then some nice earthy hops for a little bitterness. The alcohol gives a little warmth, but is well hidden.

M) Rich, quite supple... This has a full body, with light carbonation. Feels rather thick, but goes down nice and smooth. Good aftertaste...

O) Excellent RIS right here. I enjoy a little extra hops in the flavor, and kind of expected that from SN. I love their regular stout. This one is a fantastic sipper for the cold months ahead. Glad to recommend this beer...

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 04:24:30 | More by RoamingGnome

endincolorado

Ohio

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

A- Color is opaque black with a beautifully thick, syrupy look and about a finger of foamy head that looks like coffee with a lot of cream. Lacing is abundant as well.

S-Some noticeable alcohol in the aroma, with dark-roasted coffee and bittersweet cocoa.

T- Flavors are tasty, and are primarily of bitter cocoa, and black coffee. Some sweetness lingers on the palate after each sip.

M-Fairly full body with a good amount of carbonation.

Narwhal is good, it's not particularly exciting or original, but affordable and worth a try.
Would be worth aging, in order to mellow out some of the bitterness.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 01:23:32 | More by endincolorado

Holland

Pennsylvania

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: dark and thick with a one finger, tan head that gives way to a very thin sheet of foam on top.

S: big roasted smells like coffee and slight smoke. Sweet malt, too.

T: good bitterness and roasted flavor mix, with little of the sweetness I thought would be there from the smell.

M: thick body with medium carbonation that isn't too aggressive makes for a smooth stout.

O: very nice beer for $9 per 4-pack. Delicious stuff, would buy again, and I'm excited to age some of these.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 01:18:59 | More by Holland

TheSixthRing

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Appearance - Pours jet black with absolutely no penetration where any decent amount of thickness is achieved; not when held to a light bulb or even directly into the sun. Thick, 2 finger mocha head shows good retention. A fair amount of silky, sticky lace.

Smell - Dark roasted malty aromas stick out the most, especially baker's chocolate, while notes of raisin sit beneath. There's also a touch of astringency; more so as the beer warms.

Taste - Deep, dark roast malt character: bitter chocolate and a touch of black coffee dominate up front. Notes of raisin and fig creep up in the back end, and a bit of heat comes along with it, then lingers well into the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel - Full-bodied with moderate carbonation. Somewhat chewy, though there's also a silky smoothness when swallowing. A bit of heat might make this a sipper for some, but not for me!

Overall - Well executed RIS. Fantastic all-around balance for the style. A bit of heat does shine through, but at 10.2% it's nothing unexpected. Looking forward to drinking this again, and comparing to the likes of the Lagunitas Imperial Stout, as well as others.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 23:42:39 | More by TheSixthRing

Bitterbill

Wyoming

4.4/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

$9.50 for the 4 pack, bought locally.

it pours black with a 2 finger head of tannish foam and leaves the usual excellence with the lacing.

The smell is of cocoa and roasted malt with some light notes of coffee. Err...maybe not so light notes of coffee. Good either way.

First sip in and it starts off, for me, as being very sweet soon overtaken by roasted malt and coffee that add a nice bitterness. There's plenty of the ample alcohol in the taste as well meaning a lot of warming. It finishes on the bitter side thanks to all that roasty goodness.

Full bodied, lightish carbonation, very smooth mouthfeel. On a day with the temps in the 60sF, not so drinkable but when the temps drop, the drinkability of this IS will rise. I'm bloody sure of that.

A big thumbs up to SN's bold new Imperial Stout!

Edit Nov 8, 2012:

I'm now on my 3rd bottle and my like for it grows and grows. There's really nothing I'd change with my review *other than* the scores. Onward and upward!

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 19:55:04 | More by Bitterbill

OtherShoe2

Massachusetts

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown, almost black. Nice tan head that dissipates. I have some remnants of sticky lace in the pint glass, but not much.

Coffee and licorice in the nose. Some bitter charred notes.

Deep flavors with terrific balance of dark richness and bitter. Sweet malt of dark chocolate, molasses, coffee, charred burnt bits. Bitterness leans in with some alcohol, but it seems less boozy than it really is. Nice bitter finish with a coffee aftertaste.

This one even pours thick. Dense full body. A little acid.

Great RIS. Loved this and glad I tried it.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 17:44:09 | More by OtherShoe2

libbey

Washington

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

12oz bottle poured into a Deschutes snifter.

A: The beer pours a pitch black with a nice fluffy tan head that held great retention throughout the session leaving a trail of sticky lacing.

S: The nose is dominated by dark roasted chocolate malt. Hints of coffee ground and a touch of sweetness comes through as it warms.

T: The flavor profile is dark chocolate and a good deal of roasted malt. There is a nice hint of piney hop bites on the finish. ABV becomes more pronounced as it warms.

M: The mouthfeel on this beer is fantastic. Perfect carbonation provides a big rich and full flavor profile on the pallet that lingers after each sip.

O: Overall this another winner from Sierra Nevada and at it's super affordable price point it is going to be difficult to pass this one up. I look forward to sticking some of these in the cellar to see how they progress. I will most certainly be having many more of these.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 01:00:23 | More by libbey

Auror

Massachusetts

3.85/5  rDev -7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 12oz bottle to CBS snifter on 11/03/12.

Appearance- Jet black with an iced coffee colored mocha head. Medium head on pour leads to persistent half inch ring. Excellent lacing..

Smell- Roasted malts, coffee, bitter chocolate. A bit smokier than I anticipated, not as much chocolate.

Taste- Flavor takes a back seat to mouthfeel. Sticky sweetness leads to a lingering piney bitterness. Individual flavors aren't very easy to pick out. It's mainly some sweetness, then roasted notes, followed by bitterness. Insert your favorite placeholder flavor (vanilla to smoke to hops).

Mouthfeel- Thick, viscous, coating, and slightly chewy. Carbonation levels prevent the beer from being as creamy as I like my stouts to be.

Overall- Considering this doesn't taste up my alley, I can at least appreciate the well-made aspects of it. The sweetness and bitterness balance well in the taste, although I think both are a little heavy. Alcohol is not very noticeable for a 10% plus beer. My score turned out very odd for this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-04-2012 00:05:31 | More by Auror

mpedara429

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A: Poured out black in color with two fingers of light brown/caramel colored head. Pretty good retention and thick lacing.

S: Roasted malt, coffee, and a hint booze.

T: Similar to the nose with some chocolate flavor in there as well. It has a nice bitterness to it.

M: Thick and creamy with medium carbonation.

O: I was big fan of this one. Pricewise, it beats everything else in that range and can really compete with some of the higher end imperial stouts.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 23:02:48 | More by mpedara429

davey101

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2012 vintage, bottled October 12, 2012. 12 oz bottle into a DFH signature glass.

A - Pours a dark black body with two finger mocha/red head. Settles into some thin edging. Solid amount of lacing and retention but nothing too impressive.

S - Roasted malt, coffee beans, cocoa powder and anise. Incredibly balanced. Just a great aroma.

T - Roasted malts lead into that signature SN grapefruit and pine hop profile. Finishes with bitter coffee beans and smooth milk chocolate. Just a touch of anise.

M - Smooth and creamy with nice carbonation. Alcohol is hardly noticeable and the beer really opens up as it warms.

O - This beer gets everything right, even as a fresh beer. Plus its SN so its at an amazing price and distribution. It seems less hoppy and intense than the the 30th Anny stout, but I really like this beer a lot.

Serving type: bottle

11-03-2012 03:17:56 | More by davey101