Singularity - Driftwood Brewery

TheEarl

Washington

3.56/5  rDev -17%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a black waxed bottle into two snifters on May 7, 2013.

Appearance: Black with thin dark mocha head. Residual foam lace looks a bit like a dark brown nebula. Pretty!

Aroma: Alcohol is the most apparent aroma but it fades to a dark and bitter chocolate note. There is significant wood/barrel as well.

Taste: Cocoa, sugar, bourbon, and vanilla open up into some hop bitterness and a vegetal note that is a bit off-putting.

Mouthfeel: Slick, viscous, and a bit thin.

Overall: This is a decent barrel-aged stout but I wouldn't seek it out or buy it again. The booze was poorly balanced/blended with the base beer and an unpleasant vegetal flavor seems to have developed.

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 22:39:30 | More by TheEarl

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.49/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Appearance: It has a nice jet black color to it. It has a nice thick tan head that dies down moderately and leaves very little lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, bourbon, woody oak and some dark fruit.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has a some sweet and roasty chocolate, some coffee, vanilla, bourbon, a touch of oak and some sweet dark fruit. Very nice balance.

Mouthfeel: It has a medium carbonation with a very nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with great flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 20:08:01 | More by SebD

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Another brew that I was holding out on to celebrate the birth of our daughter. Enjoyed via a FaceTime review with my buddy Devin who was also the one to hook me up with this gem.

2012 Edition

A - Pours pitch black, thumb of dark mocha head, some retention and some nice sporadic lacing.

S - Rich mocha, dark cocoa, sweet booziness, bourbon and oak notes come through alongside a touch of tobacco and leather.

T - The rich cocoa notes dominate, molasses and toffee, burnt sugar and caramel, hints of oak, burnt tobacco, sugary bourbon, and leafy green hop notes.

M - Medium bodied, insanely smooth and a little sticky on the finish.

O - Well worth the wait and deserving of the title of one Canada's top rated RIS's. Incredibly worthy of such a celebration and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to try it. Flavour profile is incredibly complex, yet the ABV is insanely well hidden and smooth drinking. So glad I had the chance to share this brew with my buddy and definitely worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2013 23:33:52 | More by andrenaline

maximum12

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Many thanks to Rutager for knocking off a flock of my top Canadian wants in one big, beautiful blast. To further the motif, I'm watching Alanis Morisette on Guitar Center Sessions. OK, only for a minute. 2013 batch, 22 oz. bottle, split with my wife. I like the bottle art, too.

First, there's the David vs. the Goliath fight with the earth's crust, er. wax on the bottle. Six minutes later, I'm through, no blood shed, nothing splled or broken. The actual beer is very black, almost as still. Barrel rolls out as soon as the Red Sea of wax parts, but retreats fairly quickly. Big, bloody dark fruits are dominant, mild sweetness, barrel, & vanilla in the backseat.

Singularity tastes like a bourbon aged in imperial stout barrels. Vanilla & straight-shot bourbon are prominent but not overwhelming in the opening bars, but own the afterburn. Numbs the gums like a good bourbon, & there's a healthy alcohol sting. Lots of dark fruit which I'm normally not fond of in this quantity in a stout, but it works here, playing off the alchohoool/bourbonity. Chocolate, scorched forest, licorice, more flame-licked wood. Light bitterness on the aftertaste. That licorice aftertaste - black licorice, unfortunately - is the only slightly unpleasant note. Tummy. Warming. Slowly. Trying. Drink.

This is so close - so close - to being Gyff, instead it's Ruskin. It's also the rare beer that actually goes a bit downhill as it warms & the licorice begins to wrestle control from the barrel. Nonetheless, a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2013 02:43:44 | More by maximum12

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.06/5  rDev -5.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

2012 vintage.

Pours pitch black with a one finger beige head that quickly settles into a lasting ring.  Streaks of soapy lacing are left behind.

Smokey roasted malt aroma with a nice barrel character that makes itself know without overpowering everything else.  Grassy and piney hops along with dry, toasted oak, coconut, vanilla and spicy bourbon but the roasted malts and dark chocolate really stand out.  

Thinner bodied than expected with soft carbonation and a decent amount of boozy bourbon but the barrel character is nicely integrated throughout.  Some toasted oak and vanilla bean followed by a prominent bourbon presence that lingers over the sweet and roasted malt backbone into a slightly dry finish.  Underneath the barrel notes, there is more sweetness than roast with hints of silky chocolate, toffee and caramel along followed by some oatmeal, burnt malt and roasted coffee bean.  Well balanced and complex with subtle heat in the finish but the high abv is well masked making this strong beer easier to drink than expected.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 01:13:15 | More by corby112

FondueVoodoo

British Columbia (Canada)

4.69/5  rDev +9.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

*** 2012 Vintage ***

A: Pours jet black with 1 finger of tan head which dissapates to a thin rim with very minimal lacing.

S: Initial scent of sweet dark chocolate and espresso together with bourbon and oak. Background notes of minerals, dried cherries and smokiness.

T: Dark chocolate mocha with hints of vanilla and bourbon boziness. End notes of tobacco smoke and dried cherries. Flavours are well integrated and balanced and results in an extremely smooth finish.

M: Medium level of carbonation gives a slight buzz on the tongue and leaves a hint of mineral finish. Smooth oily coating covers the entire mouth. Like sippin silk sheets.

O: This is one of the best RIS's we've had along with Peche Mortel. The flavours meld together beautifully and result in a complex and increadibly integreted smooth brew. Alcohol is extremely well hidden, only noticed with a slight warmth of alcohol esters. I could see drinking a couple of these provided I don't try and stand up.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 04:45:38 | More by FondueVoodoo

largadeer

California

4.38/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2013 vintage. Thanks, Vlad.

Appearance: Pitch black body with a clinging tan head and oily leggings. A small but lasting head forms, and never completely dissipates.

Smell: The aroma is led by burnt sugar, with a bit of dark fruit sweetness buried beneath. Roasted malts are moderate - reigned-in enough to balance the sweetness. Bourbon barrel is evident, but it isn't dominant - it brings notes of vanilla and caramel.

Palate: Rich brown sugar, vanilla, bittersweet chocolate. Heavy on the barrel, but without much heat. The body is viscous, almost oily. This leans more toward the sweet and rich side than the roasty and bitter, and it's quite impressive in small quantities.

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 12:46:26 | More by largadeer

CookstLiquor

British Columbia (Canada)

4.14/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Poured from a black wax-dipped 650ml bottle. Pours a light-absorbing blackened-brown colour. Thick. Nose offers little more than rich grain notes (like the darkest rye you can imagine) with some vanilla notes. This was aged in Maker's Mark barrels and the imparted booze matches well with a perfectly brewed RIS. It's sweet with dark cherry and vanilla bourbon notes that pair well with the big brew's ample smoky and bitter notes. Super-complex and very drinkable for high double-digits.

Serving type: bottle

01-21-2013 03:41:59 | More by CookstLiquor

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.53/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Served in a Sweetwater mini-snifter.

But I could've sworn a singularity was nigh-impossible...? Anyway, this stuff pours a deep black-brown topped by a finger of sandy tan foam. The nose comprises roasted malts, mild cocoa, and very light vanilla bean. The taste brings in more of the same, along with some bitter dark chocolate. The body is a light-leaning medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a fluid feel. Overall, a solid stout, nothing overtly special, but I'd definitely drink another were one offered me.

Serving type: bottle

01-08-2013 00:57:02 | More by TMoney2591

flagmantho

Washington

4.43/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Poured from 22oz waxed bomber into a tulip.

Appearance: entirely black, allowing no light through the body. Hed is a finger of dense, creamy dark-tan foam. Very attractive, but head retention is not great and the lace isn't as beautiful as I want it.

Smell: strong aroma of roasted malt, rich, ripe, dark fruits (date, plum, black cherry), a fruity, aromatic alcohol character and a tannic woody bite. Complex and engaging.

Taste: surprisingly light (in a good way), despite the masively dark appearance and sky-high alcoholic content. The fruitiness is right at the fore, with plums and cherries and apples and pears; yes, even lighter fruits make it in here. I'm guessing this thing is pretty highly attenuated, lightening up the body and adding in more alcoholic complexity. I like it very much.

Mouthfeel: medium-rich body with a good level of carbonation and a very silky smooth texture. Not as bodaciously creamy as I'd hoped, but good nonetheless.

Overall: this is a very tasty Imperial stout which isn't cloyingly sweet and overly thick. For a beer of this flavor profile and alcoholic content, it is dangerously drinkable. Great!

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 21:38:31 | More by flagmantho

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a pitch-black color stout with a large dark brown foamy head with good retention and some lacing. Aroma of medium bourbon notes with some woody notes and light vanilla with some medium dry roasted malt with light dry notes. Taste is a mix between some bourbon notes with some light vanilla and dry roasted malt with dry black chocolate notes. Body is quite full with a nice creamy texture and good carbonation. Not the most complex beer out there and not enough vanilla and woody notes to satisfy me but still very enjoyable nonetheless.

Serving type: bottle

11-21-2012 20:35:58 | More by Phyl21ca

604growler

British Columbia (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 bottle, aged for 6 months

Appearance: What more do you want? Perfect Imperial stout tan head with black.

Smell: Sniffing the bottle opening before pouring: Pine. It's a unique (for a beer) and amazing smell that seems to dissipate once poured. It smells like a damn west coast Douglas Fir pine cone! Once poured, molasses.

Taste: Oak. Chocolate. Coffee, Bitter finish.

Mouthfeel: A bit carbonated for an imp stout. But not thin.

Overall: IMO On par with Peche Mortal for a top Canadian Imperial Stout.

Serving type: bottle

11-05-2012 00:47:30 | More by 604growler

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

3.53/5  rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

***2012 Vintage***

Big thanks to hoppypocket for pulling out one of my long time wants.

Poured from a 650ml. bottle and split with my wife.

Appearance: Pours a thick & dense dark brown body, a reserved 2-3 fingers that leaves some nice rings.

Smell: A bit shy, even at room temp. Cocoa, chunks of chocolate, mild oak.

Taste: Nuts, raisins, dark fruits, coffee beans, bit of roastedness, chocolate milkshake a bit but nowhere do i taste the bourbon.

Mouthfeel: Real smooth, easy to drink with a bit of bitterness in the end.

Overall: Lacked punch for me. No real intensity given that it's been released this year. I wouldn't age this very long as i can't imagine it getting smoother. Lacks complxity that the name "imperial" implies.

Serving type: bottle

10-05-2012 11:12:41 | More by papat444

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Bottle of this stuff from Rutager in a recent trade. Thanks for the killer box man. These beers were very much enjoyed. This one was the third round in the Great Canadian BA RIS Showdown against Half Pint's $ellout $tout and McAuslan's BA imperial stout. Good times!

From a bomber into a snifter
Vintage: 2011

APPEARANCE: A clear brown pour yields a one finger, medium thick looking, tan head with great retention, eventually settling to a nice wisp and leaving sheets of lacing down the top of the glass. Sits black in the glass with lower levels of visible carbonation. A splotchy wisp remains leaving some dots of lace down the sides. Solid head, but the body was a little light.

SMELL: Roasted and caramel malts with some whisky and milk chocolate and vanilla as well. Some light sweet cream and dark chocolate show up a little later on as well. Milder nose, but nice enough.

TASTE: Roasted malts and sweet cream up front, then some caramel sweetness and milk chocolate through the middle into a barrel and roasted finish. Whisky, oak, vanilla and milk chocolate with a roasted and burnt, charred base linger nicely on the palate. Flavorful and shows a nice balance between the base beer and the barrels, though it needs a little more boldness initially to put this one over the top.

PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. A little light on the palate unfortunately, but creamy enough, goes down fine and finishes slightly sticky. A touch of heat lingers on the palate.

OVERALL: This was a solid beer for sure, with nice flavors from the base beer and barrel working well together, but it wasn't quite up to the level of some others in the style. The look was a little light coming off the pour and the body lacked the weight that's needed in this style. The flavor could also be a little bigger initially, even though it recovers well after the swallow. Although all three of the BA stouts we drank were great, this one finishes last in the Great Canadian BA RIS Showdown. Nevertheless, I'd gladly drink this again, and would recommend it to anyone interested in the style. Thanks again Rutager. Beers were awesome!

Serving type: bottle

10-03-2012 12:56:16 | More by Jeffo

womencantsail

California

3.78/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

The pour is nearly black in color with a small khaki colored head. Plenty of roasted malt with a bit of coffee, chocolate, and bourbon. Tons and tons of barrel, which was a bit unexpected. The flavor offers a little less bourbon and vanilla notes with a bit more roasted malt flavor, along with some bitter chocolate. Light coffee and malt sweetness. The bourbon comes out a bit more as the beer warms up.

Serving type: bottle

08-07-2012 04:34:51 | More by womencantsail

Pahn

New York

3.68/5  rDev -14.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

22oz bottle split three ways in wine glasses. Received as an extra from generous BA csano in a recent trade. Thanks!

Appearance: Careful pour yields a small tannish head. Pours black and leaves no lacing.

Smell: Roasted malt. Light pistachio aroma. Cola. Boozy and bourbony with time.

Taste: Cocoa and roasted malt. One-dimensional but nice. Not much barrel character at all. Hides its alcohol very well, but doesn't coax too much flavor out of it.

Smooth, tastes good, just not enough depth to jump from good to great.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied. Moderate carbonation. Not particularly dry or sugary.

Overall: Good, but doesn't quite get there. Probably should have drank this 2~3 months ago when I received it, as some of the other reviews suggest to me that the balance and flavor were a lot better when it was fresher. Not too uncommon with barrel aged beers, I think.

Either way, enjoyable of you like roasty stouts (I do).

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2012 04:00:47 | More by Pahn

sukwonee

Washington

4.1/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A: Reddish dark brown to black body, with half finger head, you can actually lots of bubbles as well. Good amount of lacing.

S: Bourbon (but not overpowering), vanilla, dark cherries maybe? some dark fruits, sweet malt, nice!

T: Bourbon is not as strong in the taste as in the nose. Vanilla is also there but not as much. Not much chocolate or coffee either. Malt, little bit of hops, sweet caramel, some char. You can taste the alcohol, but not too overpowering. In a way, there is really no dominant ingredients in this beer. I wish it had more bourbon character to it though. I taste sweet caramel and malt the most.

EDIT: so, I cheated and read the reviews by others and I agree with one person who wrote that they tasted Orange. It was some sweet fruit I was tasting, but I couldn't make out what it was. This beer kind of tastes like those chocolate that comes in a shape of orange... I cannot remember the name of it, but it has that orange flavor mixed in with the chocolate. This particular flavor comes across more when the beer is served colder. As it gets warmer, the beer tastes more like sweet caramel. Very interesting I would say!

M: I think the body is a bit on the thin side for beer this big (but please note that I had Hunahpu last night... which happens to be one of the thickest beers I have ever had). Carbonation is also a bit higher than expected. Not much alcohol burn though.

O: Very solid beer. At $19.99 (USD) though, price is very steep. Definitely worth a try, but not my favorite BA Stout. If you want to try a bottle, please holler at me. I live in Seattle =)

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2012 20:53:38 | More by sukwonee

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

3.85/5  rDev -10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Looked brown and black, not the most impressive appearance, no lasting head/retention/lace. Aroma, strong on the bitter, tart and alcohol notes, but yet, not really given its strength.

Taste was good, the thin body made me think this had just outright liquor added to the barrel, rather than just getting its character from the barrel. Prime the pump. Heavy roast character, some bitter tart thing going on, interesting, different. Chocolate, licorice and vanilla. Really don't pick up oak or barrel as much as I do alcohol, but relative to its abv, its really not all that omniprescient.

One of the best beers I've had from Canada. Who brought this to the Solar Eclipse party? Was it Crystel and her man? Sure am glad I took a picture and notes, as relying on my own independent recollection on this one, is uh, questionable.

Serving type: bottle

06-22-2012 17:53:49 | More by Beerandraiderfan

tewaris

Minnesota

3/5  rDev -30.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Another beer shared by dc55110, thanks Dan!

It says on the bottle that this is a beer of infinite density. The ABV is up there too so I was certainly intrigued. However, it was exactly opposite to the expectations... looked thin and clear dark brown, quite a few shades left of jet black. Drank like any other stout with a splash of liquor... I found it tough to discern any quality barrels in there. On top of that there was a tartness typical to some stouts that was offputting.

Good roasty character was pretty much the only redeeming side of this beer to me.

3, 3, 3, 3, 3

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 12:16:30 | More by tewaris

LampertLand

British Columbia (Canada)

5/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Driftwood's "Singularity" @ 11.6% becomes my 50th review , 2012 vintage served from a 650 ml bottle into a pint glass
A-pours almost black with a nice tan head that quickly dissapates leaving large lacing on the edge of the glass
S-smells of bourbon , orange rind , sweet spices , hint's of oak
T-taste is complex , barrel aged bourbon up front followed by sweet fruit , dark chocolate , some vanilla creeps along near the end with a dry roast coffee finish , wow
MF-a bit viscous , medium carbonation and definately full bodied !
Ov-even at $12 price tag this beer is a winner , highly recommended for cellaring , a must try if you can find one !!

Brost LampertLand

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2012 23:03:11 | More by LampertLand

urbanpioneer

4.6/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

I scribbled a detailed review for this on a napkin when I sampled it.

I noted it’s earthy and bourbon scented aroma, its low alcohol profile in the mouth feel even with its relatively high percentage. I appreciated its subtle complexities melding flavours of licorice with the typically roasted and malty elements of the genre and even thought it would be great paired with wild game like Elk or Caribou.

I then thanked my wife for picking me up a bottle while in BC and ended up crossing out what I had written and putting in its place the words "Extremely Enjoyable" . That pretty much sums it up for me.

Serving type: bottle

05-16-2012 01:54:53 | More by urbanpioneer

4DAloveofSTOUT

Illinois

4.35/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

huge thanks to ArchEnemyBrew for this beer! Thanks Hollis!

poured into snifter glass.

Appearance: Light to medium black bodied beer with about a solid 1 and a half fingers of brown head. Spotty lace covers the glass.

Smell: This beer is really roasty and got a moderate amount of bourbon in the nose. Getting some smokiness in it too.

Taste: The beer starts of roasty and then it goes right into the barrel; something unique about this barrel flavor. You can get the oak and it almost seems like there is cedar in there too. I also get some chocolate and nuttiness from the malts. The beer finishes with a mild bitterness from the hops. A little bit grassy and I also taste cherrys in the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied beer with low end of moderate carbonation. The carbonation really breaks the thickness of this beer up. The carbonation is sort of pricky and surprisingly epervescent for a bourbon barrel beer. It does make the beer smooth and the beer drinks like its 9 or 10%. It got a little alcohol kick that is mostly warming and subtle. This beer would have been a 5 in mouthfeel if it was thicker.

Overall: Really nice canadian beer. Its complex, balanced, and smooth. Really nice beer from a brewery I have never heard of.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2012 17:22:06 | More by 4DAloveofSTOUT

Impfan

Washington

4.75/5  rDev +10.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Inky black pour, although just a hint of light penetrates, so there is the slightest ruby-red shading.

Nose is roasted graham cracker, a bit of chocolate, a bit more bourbon, vanilla, cedar, and allspice.Very different, but also appealing.

Body is fairly full, but could perhaps be a tad richer.

Taste is chocolate, bourbon, cedar, a surprising grapefruit/mandarin orange/tangerine/kiwi/plum middle with more chocolate, bourbon, allspice, and floral hops in the finish.

The alcohol is definitely very noticeable, and yet it is restrained for 14%, and certainly not overbearing.

I agree with the gentleman who said that this was the best Canadian beer he'd ever tasted.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2012 22:41:37 | More by Impfan

IllNate

British Columbia (Canada)

4.48/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours and inky black almost syrup with a couple fingers of thick brown head. Looking good, although that's easy in this style. Smells of oak and nuttyness amongst the intense roast and bourbon. The taste is again oak and nuttyness and bourbon. Fantastic balance, can notice the alcohol, but well balanced with sweetness and roast. Surprisingly the roast doesn't dominate. Mouthfeel is thick and oily, but it's to be expected. Overall an amazing beer, luckily I bought a few, I'm going to cellar some for a rainy day.

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2012 05:47:52 | More by IllNate

DaftCaskBC

British Columbia (Canada)

4.45/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

2012 Vintage with black wax.

A: 1/8" tan/light brown coloured head over black liquid.

S: Oak, toasted malt, and toffee. An unidentified wood smell is most predominate.

T: Oak, toasted malt, vanilla and toffee with some alcohol.

M: Thick viscosity and a medium level of fine carbonation. Some drying from the alcohol.

O: The best Canadian RIS I have ever had.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2012 01:21:00 | More by DaftCaskBC