Narwhal Imperial Stout - Barrel Aged - Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

jaasen64

Massachusetts

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

On-tap at Meadhall for the pre-EBF Throwdown. ~10oz served in a Sierra Nevada snifter.

A- Jet black with about a quarter finger of creamy mocha head that has decent retention but recedes slowly leaving some spotty foamy lacing . Decent carbonation for a BA stout with nice consistency.

S- Milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, a bit of vanilla balanced nicely with sweet bourbon. Bourbon isn't too overpowering lending a nice sweet aroma and making it's BA presence known while still letting some of the base beer shine through.

T- Milk chocolate, cocoa nibs, toasted marshmellows, finishing with a smooth sweet bourbon taste and a light oak presence. The integration of the bourbon presence is what really makes this beer spectacular. It provides a nice complexity while still retaining the base beer characteristics. It also adds a nice sweetness without becoming too boozey, which is what I hate about a lot of high abv bourbon barrel-aged stouts.

M- Definitely a sipper, but very drinkable and incredibly smooth for being almost 13%- almost to the point where it's dangerous. Nice level carbonation and overall almost perfect feel for a BA stout.

O- I wasn't sure what to expect going into this beer having never had regular Narwhal and not being a huge fan of the few SN barrel-aged beers I've had. This beer was a pleasant surprise though, was definitely our favorite at the throwdown, and easily stands up against some of the best BA stouts I've had. I really hope they bottle this and I definitely would like to revisit it in the future. I might even go as far as saying I liked it slightly better then bourbon county.

Serving type: on-tap

02-08-2013 03:58:45 | More by jaasen64

smakawhat

Maryland

4.41/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured on tap at Pizza Paradiso Dupont DC into a small snifter. From notes.

Super dark walnut black body, can't see even up to the collar head. Tan collar with thin bubbles and very opaque.

Classic bourbon barrel nose. Lost of soft vanilla, sweet caramel, and sense of oak depth. There is no heat coming off of this at all.

Palate hits with a wonderful thick caramel richness. Roast charring malts and oak complete the aftertaste. Vanilla washes all over the palate with good depth. Body is a little fizzy strangely, detracts from the flavor a bit, just a bit too much carbonation, but still allows everything to be enjoyable.

A solid RIS that took a barrel real well, this could be the start of something big. Possible future BCBS killer or just an easier one to drink?

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2013 14:38:57 | More by smakawhat

mdfb79

New York

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

From NOTB notes from last month; had a few samples of this one and liked it a lot.

a - Pours a pitch black color with two inches of thick tan head and moderate carbonation evident. Looks great, just like the normal Narwhal.

s - Smells of roasted malts, bourbon, vanilla, bitter chocolate, toasted malts, burnt malts, light coffee. Awesome nose; really nice mix of sweet bourbon, vanilla, and chocolate.

t - Tastes of sweet bourbon, roasted malts, oak, vanilla, bitter chocolate, dark fruits, toasted malts, and burnt malts. Very nice again, though I liked the nose a little better. Little more fruit and bitter chocolate here.

m - Medium body and high carbonation. Thick and smooth, definitely doesn't feel like 12.9% ABV. Nice mouthfeel.

o - Overall I liked this one a lot; I had high hopes for this after having the base beer and this did not disappoint. Looks great, great mouthfeel, and an awesome nose full of swete bourbon and vanilla. I know they are different beers, but liked this one a lot more than the BA bigfoot. Hoping to see this one again sometime.

Serving type: on-tap

04-01-2013 15:05:29 | More by mdfb79