Black Xantus - Nectar Ales

nhindian

Pennsylvania

3.63/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle poured into a Mikkeller wine glass. Bottle generously provided as an extra by Destral, thanks!

A - Pours a dark mahogany with tints of ebony in the thicker parts of the glass. It slowly but surely grows a 1.5-fingered head with decent retention for being a barrel-aged 11% beer. The lacing is a unique shimmering cascade of foam that crests and breaks like an wave on the beach.

S - Right away, the nose is bringing a sweet dose of bourbon and oak, mixed with vanilla. I'm also getting a good amount of rich chocolate. Although it says that it's brewed with coffee, I can't say I'm getting a strong amount of it besides a slight roast. The finish does have a discernible alcohol note that is a little off-putting.

T - While the aroma is quite enjoyable, I feel the taste is a step back. I am still getting the great bourbon note, which in the taste really accentuates the wood and especially the vanilla, but the alcohol heat comes through rather early and makes the whole thing a bit hot. There are some positive characteristics, however, in the almost decadent chocolate note in here that puts it on par with the amount found in excellent barrel-aged beers such as Goose Island's Bourbon County and 50/50's Eclipse series. Unfortunately, those beers are much more smooth and easy-drinking than this one, which is a shame given the retail price of this beer. Again, I'm not getting much coffee or espresso here, just a slight acrid bitterness.

M - Mouthfeel is medium-bodied with good carbonation. Not as thick as I was expecting, but given the flavors I feel that this "lighter" feel gives it an advantage. While the flavors are a bit hot, the feel at least is smooth and rich. Long-lasting aftertaste of alcohol, chocolate, and bourbon.

D/O - Drinkability is moderate. Honestly, the thing that wow'ed me about this beer was the chocolate, and coming in I thought the differentiator would be the coffee. Alas, this beer came up short on the coffee. I thought the nose and flavors were pretty good, but the harshness of the alcohol really hurt the overall flavor. I saw this in Richmond for around $13, and after having it, I don't think I'd spring for it for that much.

Serving type: bottle

11-16-2011 03:25:36 | More by nhindian

SightinColor

Missouri

4/5  rDev -3.6%

05-21-2013 23:58:56 | More by SightinColor

acc88

Illinois

4/5  rDev -3.6%

05-20-2013 05:25:38 | More by acc88

Immortale25

Florida

4.35/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Served in a pint glass at Tryst in Delray Beach, FL.

A- Pours a 99% opaque black color with a 1/4 inch tan head that retains a bit before becoming a thin ring around the edge of the glass and a sheer patch of surface foam. Slippery, non-resilient lacing leaves clots behind on the glass.

S- Roasted malt with notes of dark chocolate, brown sugar and vanilla.

T- A bit on the sweeter side with plenty of dark chocolate plus some black licorice and a hint of smoke. Also some vanilla and caramel and a semi-bitter aftertaste. Very smooth as the alcohol flavor is quite subdued.

M- Somewhat creamy and not as viscous as expected. Medium-low carbonation and a mildly robust body.

O- Glad to finally try this and on-tap no less. Quite complex and easy to drink. Definitely the best thing I've had from Nectar Ales so far.

Serving type: on-tap

05-19-2013 20:26:56 | More by Immortale25

Ilovebeer1549

California

3.25/5  rDev -21.7%

05-18-2013 04:27:34 | More by Ilovebeer1549

aslamm75

Indiana

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-17-2013 22:11:25 | More by aslamm75

HopsMatt

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-17-2013 01:07:05 | More by HopsMatt

MaseFace

Kentucky

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-17-2013 01:06:13 | More by MaseFace

deltatauhobbit

Maine

4.1/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Ahh, the infamous Black Xantus.

Pours a dark brown, almost black, color with a thinnish light brown head, fades quickly and leaves no lacing on the glass.

Smell has a subtle aroma of coffee, likely has diminished over time, roasted malt, light dark fruit notes.

Taste does not burn as badly as the jokes used to talk about although there is some heat to it, strong roasted malt backbone with a decent coffee presence, subtle dark fruit such as raisins, barrel-aging is very subtle with little wood character present, nice chewiness to it and a creamy body, carbonation is soft yet active.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2013 18:51:58 | More by deltatauhobbit

cyrushire

Florida

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-14-2013 04:26:02 | More by cyrushire

mahak213

New York

4.26/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Appearance- Black, but with a touch of light coming in around the edges. Not much head as expected, which dissipated into lots of big bubbles around the edges of the glass

Smell- Coffee and chocolate, vanilla from the barrel as well as a touch of a sweet, roasted coconut. No alcohol at all on the nose

Taste- Big milk chocolate which fades into roasty coffee. Coffee isn't too present, but it's there. Really nice barrel character though with sweet vanilla, coconut, and a touch of booziness finishing things off.

Mouthfeel- Medium body with mild carbonation. Could be a bit fuller, but the carbonation is spot on for me. Finishes sticky, sweet, and coating

Overall- I think I enjoy KBS a bit more than this as far as BA coffee stouts go, but this has a much nicer barrel character. Either way, you can't go wrong, this is good stuff!

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2013 23:06:29 | More by mahak213

strongaf

Washington

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-11-2013 07:31:42 | More by strongaf

Dannynoonan123

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -3.6%

05-09-2013 01:00:19 | More by Dannynoonan123

leftoverburrito

Oregon

2.25/5  rDev -45.8%

05-08-2013 03:11:22 | More by leftoverburrito

ElGallo

New Hampshire

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-06-2013 00:27:45 | More by ElGallo

EyePeeAyBryan

Arizona

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

05-01-2013 04:24:06 | More by EyePeeAyBryan

LSx

California

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

04-25-2013 04:29:08 | More by LSx

mcintire78

Massachusetts

5/5  rDev +20.5%

04-23-2013 01:17:46 | More by mcintire78

UNCCTDawg

North Carolina

4.25/5  rDev +2.4%

04-22-2013 23:11:14 | More by UNCCTDawg

drgonzo2k2

California

4.75/5  rDev +14.5%

04-18-2013 01:53:45 | More by drgonzo2k2

JasonFromLA

California

5/5  rDev +20.5%

04-16-2013 01:50:52 | More by JasonFromLA

browniewithnuts

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +14.5%

04-16-2013 00:28:47 | More by browniewithnuts

TheBeerAlmanac

Kentucky

5/5  rDev +20.5%

04-09-2013 22:32:59 | More by TheBeerAlmanac

PicoPapa

Connecticut

4.23/5  rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22oz bottle. Pours a pitch black color with a 1/4 inch of medium brown head. Some lacing. Aroma is booze with some dark chocolate and roasted malts, but the booze dominates. Not picking up on too much else to be honest. The taste is boozey but with some sweetness. Dark chocolate and earth. Just like the nose, the bourbon is the main focus of the taste. Hints of black coffee and vanilla. Hot at the finish. Heavy, velvety mouth feel. This is a very booze forward beer but it drinks fairly well considering. Overall, this is damn good and I'd like to try one with some age on it. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2013 02:50:31 | More by PicoPapa

jhillwastaken

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%

04-04-2013 08:00:11 | More by jhillwastaken