Lovibonds Dark Reserve No 1
Lovibonds Brewery Ltd

Beer Geek Stats
From:
Lovibonds Brewery Ltd
 
England, United Kingdom
Style:
English Porter
ABV:
7.4%
Score:
Needs more ratings
Avg:
4.47 | pDev: 7.61%
Reviews:
4
Ratings:
5
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Dec 28, 2013
Added:
Apr 09, 2010
Wants:
  5
Gots:
  0
Barrel aged Porter; Henley Dark recipe, but stronger and aged in whiskey barrels for 6 months. Only 500 bottles were produced.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by velkyal:
Photo of velkyal
Reviewed by velkyal from Virginia

4.22/5  rDev -5.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
The beer itself is very dark indeed, a deep crimson ruby which is almost impenetrable to light except around the edges, the head is a light tan and fades rather quickly.

The nose is a cacophony of chocolate and sweet caramel, with roasted coffee undertones and a subtle yet noticeable smokiness.

Tastewise, the chocolate theme continues, but instead of being like a British Galaxy or Yorkie bar, this is more of an American Hershey bar, laced with sourness. The beer is also rather fruity, like a good heavy British Christmas cake done properly with plenty of brandy fed through it - there is a noticeable alcoholic glow and again the light smokiness comes through.

Again Lovibond's have crafted a very nice beer, the one thing I would say though is get at least one other person to enjoy the Dark Reserve with you, and pair it with that most British of cheeses, extra mature farmhouse Cheddar.
Jun 10, 2010
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4 by Kirk from England

Dec 28, 2013
Photo of cervezango
Reviewed by cervezango from Wisconsin

4.44/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
a pint of this beer t the lovibonds micro brew in hendley on thames costs around 6 quid, however even if you just get half a pint buy it, becasue you havent had a beer like this one yet.
i was lucky to get a taste in one of there sample glasses. fortune further smiled on me when some guy asked for the beer tap next to this one and the bar tender poured him half a pint of this by accident, instead of throwing it away the bar tender brought it over to me.
wow, this is beer.

it looks like a black colored ale. it doesnt look amazing who cares, inviting enough.

smokey fremented dark fruits to the nose.

a hardy beer, a mans beer.
tastes like smoked bacon&cod , and jack daniels , heavy and strong fermentation, you want to drink it slow. very complex
lots of smoke, a bit of pinewood.
imagine a dark chocolate and cherry birthday cake with cuban cigars as the candles.
feels woodsy, i want to drink this while catching the big one, out in minnasottan lake. i would purchase a bottle for Teddy roosevelt.

apparently it is fermented and stored in old jackdaniels barrels, whcih i assume add to the deliciousness.
Dec 02, 2011
Photo of Keithwildi
Reviewed by Keithwildi from New Hampshire

4.83/5  rDev +8.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
On a recent trip to the UK, was lucky enough to stop by Lovibonds to sample Dark Reserve on tap & to even score a bottle of the most recent release!

My review would just parrot the other two, I can only add that if you are a porter fan, especially one who likes bourbon, get yourself over to England & get yourself a pint (or 3)! Not sure about the previous brewings, but this current one is aged in Jack Daniels barrels, and the flavors of bourbon/vanilla/oak come through strongly adding MUCH to the porter sweetness & silky mouthfeel!
Aug 01, 2011
Photo of BeerAdvocate
Reviewed by BeerAdvocate from Finland

4.87/5  rDev +8.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
Review from BeerAdvocate Magazine Issue #39 (Apr 2010):

Lovibonds Henley Dark was inspired by 18th-century London Porters, brewed with a blend of seven different malted barleys, including smoked local beechwood malt. Dark Reserve is a stronger version of this beer, which is also aged in whiskey barrels for six months in their cellars. This is one of only 500 bottles produced. Bottled in April 2008.

Dark brown, but might as well be black in color as it's near opaque, with an off-white, ringed lacing. Wonderful nose of oak, vanilla, toasty grains and a nod to dry red wine. Surprisingly light bodied, with a semi-fizzy carbonation and creamy mouthfeel. Tangy and somewhat puckering for a moment. Oaky. Burnt currants. Quite vinous actually, with some fruity red wine notes. Cereal grains. Faint toffee in the background ... way back. Bitter chocolate. Smoke, especially as the beer warms. Tobacco. Dry. Bone dry in the finish with a wisp of smoke, wood and more of that tanginess that teases you to take another sip. Then clean.

Wow. Enough words. We need some alone time with this beer.
Jan 11, 2011
Lovibonds Dark Reserve No 1 from Lovibonds Brewery Ltd
Beer rating: 4.47 out of 5 with 5 ratings