-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
17 Grande Réserve
Unibroue
This French oak aged, bottle refermented dark ale has a remarkable and complex flavor profile. Its Grande Réserve appellation is a fitting endorsement of its exceptional aging qualities.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by M27:
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Mavigo from Michigan
4.4/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev +4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Got this in a 750ml bomber bottle from a local shop in Grand Rapids. Served in a goblet. 2016 is the expiration date, it’s about to be 2022. I’ve got high hopes for this one.
A: Pours a very dark brown color, opaque, thin off white/cream head with a thin ring of lacing.
S: What a heavy smell. Prunes, raisins, black cherries, darkened fruits, malts, brown sugar, woodiness, booziness, spices, peppers.
T: Booze, syrup, prunes, raisins, craisins, black cherries, malts, dark chocolate,
M: Mild carbonation and a heavy mouthfeel, it’s deep like you’d expect it. Really heavy, like drinking a box of liquid chocolate donuts.
O: Deap and complex like you would expect from a bet like this from a brewery like this. The bottle is aged 5 years, adds to the richness. Recommend it.
Jan 01, 2022A: Pours a very dark brown color, opaque, thin off white/cream head with a thin ring of lacing.
S: What a heavy smell. Prunes, raisins, black cherries, darkened fruits, malts, brown sugar, woodiness, booziness, spices, peppers.
T: Booze, syrup, prunes, raisins, craisins, black cherries, malts, dark chocolate,
M: Mild carbonation and a heavy mouthfeel, it’s deep like you’d expect it. Really heavy, like drinking a box of liquid chocolate donuts.
O: Deap and complex like you would expect from a bet like this from a brewery like this. The bottle is aged 5 years, adds to the richness. Recommend it.
Reviewed by milkshakebeersucks from Maryland
4.4/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.4/5 rDev +4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
2015 vintage. Great Xmas gift; thanks, Mike!
Cloudy, copper appearance with a small, off white head and sparse lacing. Yeasty aroma along with some spiciness, a touch of vanilla and toffee. Earthy, slightly sweet, roasted malt taste with spices, dark fruit, leather and tobacco popping up. Alcohol is upfront and lingers well into the aftertaste. Full bodied, moderately carbonated mouthfeel with a long lasting finish.
Jan 02, 2021Cloudy, copper appearance with a small, off white head and sparse lacing. Yeasty aroma along with some spiciness, a touch of vanilla and toffee. Earthy, slightly sweet, roasted malt taste with spices, dark fruit, leather and tobacco popping up. Alcohol is upfront and lingers well into the aftertaste. Full bodied, moderately carbonated mouthfeel with a long lasting finish.
Reviewed by eberesford from Canada (ON)
4.21/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I confess this has been in store for a few years and I was wondering how it would taste or whether it would have lasted. It was magnificent. Deep ruddy brown with a generous creamy colourd head. Complex in both aroma and flavour with notes of caramel, mocha, coffee, raisins, dates, prunes. The aroma was slightly attenuated on what I expected, but the flavour full. The body was full but not overehelming as it might have been at this ABV, and complexity.
Oct 31, 2020Rated by pathman from Ohio
4.5/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.5/5 rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
05/04/20 bottle @ home (bottled in 2011)
May 04, 2020Rated by firemedic1343 from Florida
5/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I hate the regular version of this. This 17 is so much better. It’s one of the best! Very creamy.
Mar 18, 2020Reviewed by GaryStewart
5/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +18.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
Opened a 2011 bottle tonight I have been saving. Overall, the best beer I have ever had. Tastes like a brandywine I made called Novacaine. Smooth, crisp, pungent and no bitter aftertaste. Smooth, limited head. The smell is more of a light perfume quality rather than a strong alcohol despite 10% ABV. I really liked this beer a lot. Excellent.
Jan 27, 2020Reviewed by TooManyGlasses from Canada (AB)
4.3/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.3/5 rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Christmas dinner 2019 - 2017 Vintage.
Pours a slightly murky yet somehow bright tawny amber to brown with finger of khaki head.
Aromas of caramel malt, toffee, brown sugar, and date. Notes of oak, leather.
Caramel, toffee notes on the palate with date, raisin, raisin bread, Belgian yeast, and just a touch of licorice.. Boozy but not sharply so.
Medium full mouthfeel - sweetness dominates with brisk carbonation and a smooth warming boozy finish.
Dec 25, 2019Pours a slightly murky yet somehow bright tawny amber to brown with finger of khaki head.
Aromas of caramel malt, toffee, brown sugar, and date. Notes of oak, leather.
Caramel, toffee notes on the palate with date, raisin, raisin bread, Belgian yeast, and just a touch of licorice.. Boozy but not sharply so.
Medium full mouthfeel - sweetness dominates with brisk carbonation and a smooth warming boozy finish.
Reviewed by Bouleboubier from New Jersey
3.9/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
3.9/5 rDev -7.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
(750 ml bottle, 2013 vintage; purchased 2 years ago in vertical pack 2013-15, kept on its side in 55 F fridge... split between two tulip glasses... review embellished upon from notes taken 2 days ago)
Reddish-brown liquid, mostly clear; huge build of silky dense foam, capped with dimpled crest.... immediate on nose: leather, prune, grape fruit rollup; then some black licorice and clove spice as the foam falls... on the palate: much drier than the aromas suggest, relatively vinous; subtly rich med-dark malt and caramel; mellow boozy flare in the finish; just dying/mute, far beyond its prime... subtly suede softness to its light-medium body; remarkable how little alcohol heat/warmth shows; could honestly chug it, so light and smooth...
First few sips reminded me of the Gouden Carolus Noel I'd had a few times recently, but this didn't have the same lasting flavor intensity... wondering if the 2013 is just a bit to dried out and dead at this point... not a bad beer, but its flavor expressions faded rather too quick... the 2014 and '15 still have yet to be uncorked, however... I do recall having a current vintage and it being much more vibrant - will update (1607)
Nov 16, 2019Reddish-brown liquid, mostly clear; huge build of silky dense foam, capped with dimpled crest.... immediate on nose: leather, prune, grape fruit rollup; then some black licorice and clove spice as the foam falls... on the palate: much drier than the aromas suggest, relatively vinous; subtly rich med-dark malt and caramel; mellow boozy flare in the finish; just dying/mute, far beyond its prime... subtly suede softness to its light-medium body; remarkable how little alcohol heat/warmth shows; could honestly chug it, so light and smooth...
First few sips reminded me of the Gouden Carolus Noel I'd had a few times recently, but this didn't have the same lasting flavor intensity... wondering if the 2013 is just a bit to dried out and dead at this point... not a bad beer, but its flavor expressions faded rather too quick... the 2014 and '15 still have yet to be uncorked, however... I do recall having a current vintage and it being much more vibrant - will update (1607)
Reviewed by RobertFCda from Canada (ON)
4.85/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.85/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
The above numbers are for the 2016. The 2017 would rate somewhat lower.
Recently opened a bottle of the 2016. Compared to when it was first released, it is now a more mature, refined drink.
It poured a deep brown. Clear, with a thick slightly amber, finely laced head. The taste was rich malt with notes of maraschino cherry and black licorice (anise). In the mouth it was thick, coating the palate and with a long finish. Personally, I think it benefitted from cellaring.
The 2017, by comparison, was rougher and less refined. Not really much different from first release. It poured the same colour as the 2016, but was cloudy in the glass. The head was basically the same. Taste was malty, but more watered down than the 2016. There was not the same complexity of flavour, with really no other subtleties. In the mouth it was ver similar to the 2016, but not as pleasant due to the less complex flavour profile.
Jun 03, 2019Recently opened a bottle of the 2016. Compared to when it was first released, it is now a more mature, refined drink.
It poured a deep brown. Clear, with a thick slightly amber, finely laced head. The taste was rich malt with notes of maraschino cherry and black licorice (anise). In the mouth it was thick, coating the palate and with a long finish. Personally, I think it benefitted from cellaring.
The 2017, by comparison, was rougher and less refined. Not really much different from first release. It poured the same colour as the 2016, but was cloudy in the glass. The head was basically the same. Taste was malty, but more watered down than the 2016. There was not the same complexity of flavour, with really no other subtleties. In the mouth it was ver similar to the 2016, but not as pleasant due to the less complex flavour profile.
17 Grande Réserve from Unibroue
Beer rating:
94 out of
100 with
1183 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!