Big Sound Scotch Ale - Bourbon Barrel Aged - Cigar City Brewing

mikesgroove

South Carolina

4.83/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

ich dark brown color coming forward right away. Nearly opaque with a small head of tan creeping up the sides throughout the session but eventually falling back down to earth. The aroma was wonderful with rich caramel and toffee notes that just exploded in the air. Hints of apricot and other light fruits bouncing around as well. Really the best flavor I could have imagined coming out of this one. Rich caramel and toffee flavors, hints of vanilla, pears and light tart flavors bouncing aorund. No alcohol at all, , it does not drink anywhere near this kind of strentght. Smooth, perfect carbonation with a drinkability that was off the charts. I just dont know what else I can say about this beer

Serving type: bottle

08-20-2011 02:02:24 | More by mikesgroove

hopsbreath

Oregon

4.83/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Update: Got another bottle of this thanks again to urwithdave! Drank over the weekend and it's still fantastic. Not sure it's actually better then last time, but I feel like I need to make a statement with my score now that my admiration is affirmed. That's why it's getting a couple extra tents of a point over my original score. Just an excellent beer overall and highly recommended.

Original review from New Years 2012: 4.6/5.0
Thanks go out to urwithdave for sending a green waxed bottle of the recent release my way. Shared with some fellow beer drinkers on New Years Eve.

A: Murky prune with a butterscotch colored wispy head that quickly recedes to a tiny bubble glass ring. Obvious thick legs, just the way I like 'em. 4.5/5

S: Very boozy and heavy on the bourbon. I like a huge barrel forward beer and this is in that range. The base beer simply works as a great vehicle for the liquor. Sweet, peppery spice, and loaded with vanilla. Fantastic barrel character. 5/5

T: Sweet and ridiculously rich. A little butter and heavy on the booze. Loads of the vanilla from the nose, well integrated coconut, and solid wood. 4.5/5

M: Moderate body and low carbonation. Long lingering finish. 4.5/5

O: Great fucking beer. I want more. Thanks Dave! 4.5/5

Serving type: bottle

10-24-2012 04:49:30 | More by hopsbreath

Tesilential

Florida

4.72/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Holy moly!

On tap 9/25/11, the day after BA Hunahpu and BA Big Sound releases.

When I received my snifter I was greeted by a delicious dark beer, looking more like a porter than a scotch or brown ale. I immediately sensed I was dealing with a serious beer.

I took a sniff and couldn't help but blurt out "oh my god the sweet sweet bourbon!" This smells like delicious bourbon at it's finest! My girlfriend and I took turns smelling this beer for a couple minutes until we dared taste it. One of the most delicious smelling beers I've ever had the pleasure of tasting. Note: If you don't like bourbon you probably won't like this beer, it is seriously influenced by the barrel aging process and I've never tasted such liquor character in a beer. This is the best BA beer I've had. It tastes as if they poured expensive whiskey into a scotch ale.

Bourbon was still very much a part of the taste, replacing the heavy alcohol taste I get in many commercial high gravity beers. I've never had the regular Big Sound, so I can't compare it to it's base beer, but suffice it to say this is one of the best beers I have enjoyed, Period. This beer has moutfeel for days and can easily be enjoyed in a small <4 oz serving, making this an excellent brew for tastings.

I spoke to several of the CCB staff, and they said it was 100% unanimous among them that the BA Big Sound line was the better beer than the BA Hunahpu. They absolutely recognize Hunahpu has the HUGE following among beer geeks, (as evidenced by their chaotic BA release yesterday), but still insist Big Sound is the tastier drink.

I am becoming a bigger fan of CCB every time I try a new beer. They have an excellent IPA but where they shine is malty beers. IMO they are a top 5 brewery for malt leaning beers and I'm ecstatic to live to close by. I'm also discovering more and more I appreciate the nuances in delicious malt beers than hop charged beers thanks to them. These are some of the most complex beers on earth without being sweet, cloying hop bombs.

Serving type: on-tap

09-26-2011 03:29:41 | More by Tesilential

macrosmatic

Florida

4.65/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Reviewed from notes. Had on-tap at CCB tasting room. Poured into snifter.

A: Opaque, extremely dark brown. Forms a thin tan head with no visible carbonation.

S: Relatively light bourbon aroma overlays a big dark roasty malt sweetness.

T: Follows the nose - big sweet roasted malts. The bourbon presence isn't as heavy-handed as some recent BA treatments from CCB, which is perfect here. It still hides a bit of the raisin fruitiness present in the base beer, but I don't miss it much. This is really, crazy good.

M: Thick sticky mouthfeel, heavy body. The alcohol is noticeable obviously, but only adds to the beer. Minimal carbonation sensation.

O: Truly an excellent beer. Highly recommended.

Serving type: on-tap

11-04-2012 18:40:15 | More by macrosmatic

Auracom

Illinois

4.6/5  rDev +5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Happy halloween! Huge thanks to Raffy for getting this to me. 8 oz. poured into a FFF Rastal on October 26th, 2012.

A - Very black for this style, with the heft I've come to expect from CC. Small, 1/2" head reduces to bubbling in seconds. Plentiful alcohol legs.

S - Hefty bourbon barrel aromas. Coconut, oak, vanilla. touch of honey-soaked dark fruit. I pull slight candied sugar and a general sweetness more reminiscent of a scotch ale.

T - Sweeter notes of brown sugar and caramel. A bit less of the bourbon but it's well integrated adequately rich.

M - Extremely smooth and medium bodied. Low to moderate carbonation. Semi-sweet finish.

T - Great stuff, makes Founders Backwoods Bastard seem like a bastardized version. Would unquestionably revisit.

Serving type: bottle

11-06-2012 17:20:06 | More by Auracom

AleWatcher

Illinois

4.58/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled shared by aasher at his place.

The nose on this incredible-- huge bourbon, vanilla, charred oak with toasted coconut, and plenty of caramel malt action.
The flavor is great, not as amazing as the nose, but damn close. A nice sweet bourbon booziness is perfectly integrated, but the only problem I have is that there's a little flavor from the malt that I associate with oxidation-- though I'm certain there's no way this beer is oxidized already!

Feel is velvety and lush... Nice and full with firm carbonation.

Overall-- quite damn sold. Easily my top scotch ale.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:35:23 | More by AleWatcher

OneBeertoRTA

California

4.55/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to Zander for two of these 2012 editions.

Pour- A nice rich dark brown with 2 fingers of head

Smell- Huge or should i say BIG bourbon sweetness. Like enormous and powerful sweetness. It reminds me of a Backwoods Bastard on Steriods

Taste- very sweet, tons of flavor and an all around delicious version of the style. Zero booze, can't see the abv on the bottle but I can taste very little, if any heat. Just a sweet and delicious brew

Mouthfell- Medium carbonation, nice lacing, flavor really lingers on your tongue. Just a ton of sweetness. More flavor than any of the same style I can recall.

Overall- Fantastic beer. Will definately trade for more. I would consider this an entry level Scotch ale in that it is easy to drink, no booze and tons of flavor. Something special any new craft fan would love as would the vets.

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2013 03:53:18 | More by OneBeertoRTA

cjgator3

Florida

4.55/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.75

On-tap at Redlight Redlight. I am a huge fan of the regular Big Sound but the bourbon barrel aging puts it over the top. Fantastic brew! Big and malty with huge bourbon notes from the barrel aging. Overall, fantastic brew from CCB! I hope to see this beer again!

Serving type: on-tap

04-17-2013 22:16:02 | More by cjgator3

julian89

Georgia

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

Draft poured into tulip.

Appearance: A very dark brown, opaque, with a decent 1 inch cream head, minimal lacing and fair retention.

Smell - Oak, bourbon, caramel, burnt dark sugars, dark fruits, and a fair amount of earthy smoke and peat. I love the smoothness it's received from the bourbon barrel age.

Taste - It matches the smell quite well. Large amount of bourbon taste with caramel and vanilla and earthy smoky balance. For the booze percentage it's fairly drinkable.

Mouthfeel -Very smooth with a medium to thick body. Carbonation is well balanced as well. Seems like a bigger beer than 8.5%.

Drinkability - Very good, the best beer I had on this particular day at Brick store, next to the barrel aged Ten fiddy.

Serving type: on-tap

08-06-2012 17:29:10 | More by julian89

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

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

huge thanks to egrace84 for the share! Thanks elliot!

poured into tulip glass.

reviewed fromn notes taken on 1/8/13.

Appearance: murky brown bodied beer with 2 fingers of large biege head.

Smell: Fruity, smoke, chocolates, earthy, and woody.

Taste: Smoke, dark fruits, chocolates, and bourbon upfront. Earthy peat moss and oakiness. Nice bourbon finish.

Mouthfeel: medium bodied beer with moderate carbonation. Creamy and smooth body. Not a hinting of booze at all.

Overall: probably the best bourbon barrel Scotch ale that I have ever drank. cant think of anything that even comes close. Really nice job CCB!

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 13:43:00 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

HopHead84

California

4.48/5  rDev +2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

4/27/2012

Thanks!

A: Deep reddish brown with a finger of light brown froth.

S: Huge candied granny smith caramel apple aroma with a strong bourbon presence. Toffee blends with vanilla and brown sugar. Killer nose.

T: Sweet caramel and toffee with strong brown sugar and candied notes. Red apple carries through with lots of bourbon and lesser notes of vanilla. Alcohol is mild near the finish.

M: Lower full body with matching carbonation. The mouthefeel is silky and sticky.

Overall: An awesome beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-29-2012 19:29:11 | More by HopHead84

aasher

Indiana

4.47/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This bottle was courtesy of Preismj. Thanks for hitting this HUGE want Matt!

This beer pours a full bodied syrupy stained wood brown in color with an off white lacing. The nose is beautiful. It features a good amount of sweet bourbon barrel, vanilla, oak, and a ton of coconut. The flavors follow the same lines. It features a lot of coconut, vanilla, bourbon, molasses, and rich smooth malts. The flavor is superb. It drinks full in body and is really smooth. I really, really like this one. It's a nice example how barrel aging can add a lot or complexity to an already great beer. Imagine a bourbon barrel aged Mounds candy bar.

Serving type: bottle

01-20-2012 02:25:47 | More by aasher

Stevedore

Wisconsin

4.45/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

'12 vintage on tap at CCB on 12/29/12 (with notes) as well as '12 1x 750ml bottle from CCB on 1/2/13 (also with notes) into a CCB snifter.

Aroma: Smells like a big scotch ale with a ton of wood and vanilla backed by a thick, sweet malt that reminded me of maple syrup- its probably more like a combination of brown sugar and caramel. As it warms up, I had a decent bit of the bourbon itself. Smelled pretty good. (4)

Colour: Dark cola brown, but you could be forgiven for thinking it was black. Pours with a less than 1cm mocha head that dissipates quickly, leaving a slick smooth surface. Not a lot of lacing as this beer goes down. (4)

Flavour: Best part of the beer. Wonderfully complex with the maple syrupy malt sweetness (brown sugar, caramel), the faint hints of the bourbon itself that reminds me a little bit of Jack along with the bourbon barrel's vanilla and oak (at least, I think I can describe them separately from the bourbon) that adds to the bourbon flavour itself. I could spend a minute swishing each sip around the tongue and I'll keep getting slightly different flavours. It's great. (5)

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, creamy and a bit sticky. Good carbonation off the tap. Wonderfully smooth to drink. Comes with a bit of heat which didn't surprise me at the time. Aftertaste is different each time but always features the vanilla and oak woodiness. Enjoyed this a lot. (4)

Overall: In the world of bourbon barrel-aged scotch ales, this is probably the best I've had- compared to Backwoods Bastard which is probably the most popular example of the style, this is quite a bit more complex and smooth. I really love the maple syrup-like sweetness combined with the barrel character, although I'm more of a BA stout fan. I felt reluctant to trade away my last bottle, but once I did, I felt it was time to write this review. Wonderful BA scotch ale that I hope to have the chance to drink again in the future. (4)

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2013 23:34:13 | More by Stevedore

biggsbowler

Florida

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

BA Hunahpu release day!!! Just a great beer, Big Sound is one of my favorites from CCB and adding bourbon just makes it better. The nose is full of bourbon. The taste of caramel sweetness mixed with bourbon flows so beautifully in my mouth. This beer and a redheaded girl would be a great time!!!

Serving type: on-tap

10-07-2011 13:33:22 | More by biggsbowler

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Another variant shared by starrdogg, thanks Matt, really a treat.

A: Nice brown color with crimson highlights. Ok head that dies to a tan ring.

S: Tons of bourbon, it really screams out pina colada with the pineapple and coconut notes flying out of the glass. Barley any of the original scotch ale and grapenuts comes through, but theres a little smoke. Maple syrup as well. Very cool but a little bizarre!

T: Awesome taste thats very well balanced with the very nice vanilla oak and brown sugar to the base smoky savory malts. Sweeter, but I enjoy it. Reminds me a lot of Port Brewing Older Vis in the bourbon and kind of 'strong ale' like malt profile in the beer, which is a good thing.

M: Very nice and smooth, no heat. Great feel that I'm finding is a trademark of a lot of Cigar City beers.

Overall a nice beer and very unique.

Serving type: bottle

11-24-2011 01:53:16 | More by Dreadnaught33

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a dark amber/chestnut brown color with a 1.5 finger beige head that slowly fades into a lasting ring.  Streaks of spotty lacing left behind.

Nice barrel presence in the nose with dry oak, toasted coconut, vanilla and spicy bourbon.  Doesn't overpower the base beer allowing sweet and roasted malt notes to come through.  Hints of caramel, toffee, hazelnut and chocolate.  Slightly smokey but not acrid or burnt smelling.  Smells great!

Medium bodied with a strong barrel character that adds another layer of flavor to the base beer.  Some dry oak along with silky vanilla, toasted coconut and a delicious spicy bourbon character.  Although the barrel flavors are strong, they are perfectly integrated into the flavor without overpowering the base beer.   Lots of excellent bourbon flavor but barely any heat making it deceptively drinkable.  Underneath the barrel, there is a nice combination of sweet and roasted malt notes.  Slightly smokey with hints of dark chocolate, toffee, caramel and oatmeal lingering into a somewhat dry finish.  Highly recommended!

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 02:08:03 | More by corby112

brentk56

North Carolina

4.41/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: Posts a root beer brown color with a modest head that leaves a smattering of lace behind

Smell: Rich aromatics of peat, bourbon, vanilla, caramel and coconut, with underlying fig and date

Taste: Opens with peated caramel flavors, followed by the dark fruit, vanilla and coconut; by mid-palate, the Bourbon flavors open, bringing a boozy warmth to the profile; the finish is slightly harsh, though the complexity shines through

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with low to moderate carbonation; considerable warmth in the gullet

Overall: One of the best of the Cigar City brews I have tried; the barrel treatment is pronounced but not dominant and complements the other flavors in the malt profile

Thanks, donttazemebro, for the opportunity

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2013 01:14:04 | More by brentk56

ehammond1

California

4.4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle

Thanks for sharing, womencantsail!

Dark murky brown throughout with a thin light brown head. This doesn't have a lot of visible carbonation, but does leaves some cling on the glass.

This a wonderfully aromatic beer. The bourbon barreling process has left this beer with an incredible vanilla, coconut, and oak aroma that is almost as good as any.

The flavor is no slacker either, and it follows in the same vein as the aroma. The bourbon character throughout this beer is a marvelous example of the transformation beer can possess after barreling. A low to moderate level of bitterness accompanies the mild bread and caramel notes mixed in with the bourbon.

Medium to thick bodied with low carbonation. Incredibly drinkable.

A wonderful treat, and I'm so glad at the opportunity to try this one.

Serving type: bottle

11-10-2011 21:22:24 | More by ehammond1

Rifugium

Pennsylvania

4.4/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

First had: on tap at Cigar City, Tampa, FL

Definitely the highlight of my visit to Cigar City. I had no problem shelling out for a couple bottles to take home.

Poured a dark brownish amber, opaque, with a small creamy tan head that retained as a thick ringlet and left soapy lacing on the glass. Nice aroma, sweet with dark sugars, vanilla, bourbon-soaked wood. Though it's a different style, this conjured memories of Mother of All Storms and King Henry. The taste reflected the aroma, all the toffee, brown sugar and caramel goodness, vanilla, smooth bourbon, subtle oak, notes of raisin, fig, papaya, and a dash of cocoa. Great. Heavy-medium body, meh, might as well call it full-bodied, smooth and creamy, chewy with not too much of a boozy bite to it. A good sipper. So glad this was in bottles when I was down there.

Serving type: on-tap

12-29-2012 02:07:10 | More by Rifugium

koopa

New Jersey

4.38/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2009 vintage bottle # 59 out of 246 received in a trade with a generous BA thanks!

Appearance: Pours a murky crimson stained brown with a 1 finger light brown to dirty khaki crown that displays moderate retention and lace.

Smell: Strong malt with minor earth notes and nice toffee accents.

Taste: Same as the nose but with a nice subtle bourbon addition.

Mouthfeel: Thick bodied with moderate carbonation.

Drinkability: Goes down fairly easy for the style.

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2011 01:54:56 | More by koopa

beerpirates

Belgium

4.35/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

75 cl poured into a tastingglass

Very dark brown oily pour with a small slick of tan foam.
Aroma is sweet bourbon with vanilla and underlying peat, toffee, and light roasted grains.
Taste is bourbon with vanilla up front followed by light peat, darker malt with caramel, and alcohol spice.
Smooth and clean mouthfeel. Bourbon character is very nice but still allows the base beer to come through.
Really an excellent beer. Very good.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 11:50:52 | More by beerpirates

maximum12

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I never tire of thanking moose3285 for continuing to truck great brews northward. And now it's my birthday, so this is my designated brew for the night. Thanks Mike!

This is one I've particularly looked forward to since the base, Big Sound, is the best Scotch Ale I've ever had, & thinking of it in a barrel made my mouth water & my lobes quiver. Pours just like it's non-BA namesake, almost black, with red highlights along the edges. Smell is subtle, but in this case it's a compliment. Sweet malts & bourbon are born upwards by the air currents.

Barrel Aged Big Sound, you are always welcome in my house. The BA portion of the program is very well-executed, not too heavy, not too light, to paraphrase a fine Bud Light commercial of the moment. Beneath the bourbon is the base beer of sweet candy, just a pat of smokiness, & the vanilla that always seems to follow bourbon around.

Not much carbonation here, & that might be its only weakness, this is one big, bruising, heavy, alley-brawler of a beer. I have to come up for air after even a smallish sip. But it could beat me up & I'd still be happy.

My first taste of a barrel-aged Cigar City brew, & it's excellent. In all honesty, I prefer the non-BA version - but that was so good, it's like I'm complaining about the use of lighting in the Mona Lisa. Wonderful brew. If readily available, this & the non-BA version would be go-to beers in my fridge every night.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2010 03:17:07 | More by maximum12

jsanford

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

750ml poured into a CCB Snifter. 2011 Vintage.

Pours black with brown edges and a thin khaki head that settles to a very slight haze and bubbly ring. HUGE bourbon aromas pour from the glass, followed by sweet malt, caramel, and a touch of chocolate. One of the most Bourbon-forward brews I've seen in a while. Taste is similarly Bourbon-heavy, lots of caramel, oak, and vanilla mingle with dark dried fruits, malt, and brown sugar. Mouthfeel is smooth and creamy, with a medium-full body and low carbonation. Overall an excellent Barrel-Aged offering from CCB, I needed something positive after the travesty that was the Rum Barrel-Aged Big Sound. Blegh.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2012 18:14:25 | More by jsanford

coreyfmcdonald

Georgia

4.33/5  rDev -1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle into a snifter

A: Pours a very dark amber/brown, almost to the point of being black.

S: Strong bourbon aroma upfront in this beer. I get a lot of nice caramel sweetness that goes very well with e bourbon flavors. Underlying milk chocolate adds to the complexity. Typical CCB yeast.

T: Similar to the aroma, but now caramel sweetness comes in stronger than the bourbon with a bit of malted milk ball as well. Strong bourbon comes in after this adding a ton of nice sweet complexities like toffee, oak, and a nice fruitiness. Quite boozy, but not over the top.

M: Quite thick with low, creamy carbonation.

O: Definitely lots of bourbon, booze, and sweetness, but the flavors go very well together. And it just oozes typical CCB flavors.

Serving type: bottle

11-26-2012 19:55:52 | More by coreyfmcdonald

cosmicevan

New York

4.3/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

big thanks to brewbetter for lending a hand with this one! enjoyed from a ccb snifter.

a - brew poured a deep ruby purple that settled in the glass as black. at first there was a thin grey bubbly head, but that didn't last long, leaving nothing more than some scattered bubbles around the edge of the surface.

s - chocolate plums. figgy and with decadent woody booziness.

t - much like the nose, but leads with decadent woody booze soaked chocolate with some dark fruit tossed into the mix. nice caramel notes set this off into the scotch ale realm as opposed to giving a BSDA vibe.

m - boozy sting for certain. the alcohol really works with this beer. much more smooth than say a backwoods and more full bodied and chewy as well.

o - overall, a very nice barrel aged scotch ale. on the boozy side, but it works. the barrels impart nice chocolate notes along with the bourbon and the wood. there is no mistaking this as a barrel aged brew. VERY enjoyable.

Serving type: bottle

12-24-2012 03:47:26 | More by cosmicevan