Blaecorn Unidragon - Clown Shoes

tbeckett

Ontario (Canada)

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

Bottle from Total Wine in Tampa. From notes.

A - Poured black with a half finger light brown head. Spotty lace and a film of retention.

S - Lot's of chocolate. Some roast. Mostly really nice chocolate.

T - Sugar. Roast was much more evident with a nice chocolate component. A little smoke in the finish but very subtle.

M - Good carbonation, medium to full body, and a bitter roasty finish with that small amount of smoke.

O/D - Definitely a tasty Imperial Stout. Lot's of great chocolate dominance, but more subtle notes in the backgroud. Complex and tasty. Split the bottle so the high ABV wasn't too difficult. Couldn't taste the alcohol. A good one.

Serving type: bottle

05-09-2013 15:25:54 | More by tbeckett

guityler83

Wisconsin

3.81/5  rDev -6.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

A: Dark as night, no light penetrates this stout! Half finger of milk chocolate colored head that clings to the edge of the glass as it sinks back in.

S: Dark chocolate, burnt roasty malts. earthy hops detected. Alcohol is noticable.

T: Dark Cocoa burnt toast, and sweet carmel, alcohol warming, but not overpowering (for a 12%) green apple is detected.

M: Big chewy body, low carbonation with a lingering mouth drying astringancy.

O: As it warmed up it got better, but this could have used some time to age to mellow out the alcohol harshness and the green apple (Acetaldehyde).

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 02:44:50 | More by guityler83

OBeerMeGreatOne

California

4.66/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Pours out near pitch black with slight hints of a dark chocolate brown. The head starts at a very respectable 3/4 inch, the lacing is moderate and only sticks around for a little bit. Pretty impressive for such a high ABV.

I have a slight cold right now, but a lot comes through anyway. Dark chocolate, roasted malts, molasses, anise and citrus shine through. A bit of booze is noticed near the end.

Chocolate and cumquat combine at the start of the taste. Vanilla, coffee, anise and burnt cocoa quickly follow. A bit of lemon, booze and caramel wait for the end. Complex and very fun taste. Thick and smooth going down.

Goddamn that was good. I need one for the cellar... I need 100 for the cellar. I jest, or do I???

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2013 05:01:10 | More by OBeerMeGreatOne

zac16125

South Carolina

4.06/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

22oz bottle into a snifter
2013 Vintage, bottled on 1/2/13

A: Pours a very dark brown with some lightening on the edges. Looks to be on the thinner side of things judging by the pour. 1/2 fingers width of light mocha colored head dissipates away at a moderate rate and leaves a good amount of lacing.

S: A combination of almost sour dark fruits and roasted malt. I also get some vanilla and heavy cream/lactose notes. There are heavy characters of leather and tobacco as well, and the more I smell the more prominent those two aromas become. Smells nice, but not my favorite aromatic combinations in a stout.

T: Roasted malt, leather, and tobacco are the flavors that initially stand out. I also get black licorice, a little bit of the lactose/cream-like notes, some herbaceous grassy flavors, a bitterness on the finish that reminds me of espresso beans and hints of dark fruits. I generally prefer more sweet/chocolate/coffee notes in my IS's, which this one certainly isnt big on, but this is a very well done beer.

M/D: Pretty smooth, carbonation is appropriately low, ABV is completely masked, drinkability is good. It is a bit thin for my liking, but then again I like my IS's beer-milkshake-Marshal Zhukov-thick.

O: Overall, a very nice beer. Again the components of this one arent my favorite characteristics in an Imperial Stout, but the flavor profile is huge, with good complexity. Clown Shoes really does a great job with their line up of Imperial Stouts. Its not my favorite of the bunch, but I would definitely drink this one again.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 23:05:49 | More by zac16125

JayWhiteNM

New Mexico

5/5  rDev +23.2%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

A: Dark and complex. Very nice creamy, persistent head.

S: Again, complex. The nose has malt, hops, alcohol, toased biscuit, caramel, chocolate.

T: Much like the smell. There is a LOT going on in the taste. It evolves as each drink and swallow progresses. Finishes with a great warmth and malt character.

M: Thick and creamy. Almost filling.

O: I love this Russian. I personally think it's a great example of what the style can be. This is not a timid or apologetic beer. DO NOT use this for calibration.

Serving type: bottle

04-26-2013 00:47:22 | More by JayWhiteNM

haazer

Pennsylvania

2.63/5  rDev -35.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.25

A - Hard pour produces a bubbly, thick tan head. The brew itself is an opaque, very very dark brown. Despite how dark this is, you can tell this is highly carbed. The head settles to a one finger thick cap that remains for some time.

S - Sweet molasses intertwines itself with bitter roasted malts. Some cocoal and dark chocolate mixed in. There are some phenols, and a small sense of booze.

T - Harshly roasted malts, I mean charred. The strongest flavor would be black licorice, which I am not so much a fan of. There are some strains of dark chocolate. A bit of subdued heat but the alcohol is not so much tasted.

M - Thick bodied stout. Fairly smooth despite the harsh taste, and a highly carbed brew. Best part of the beer for me.

O - I've heard stories about the "harshness" of this beer and I feel it's correct. I let this sit for a year or more, and I can tell how harsh it must be fresh. Not my favorite flavor in a stout thats for sure. If you like black licorice, this is your thin. Just be sure to sit on it for about a year or so.

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 00:36:22 | More by haazer

BarryMFBurton

Indiana

3.94/5  rDev -3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Sunday afternoons are the reason high gravity beers are bottled in bombers – this bottle is the alcoholic equivalent of a six-pack of lawnmower beer. Cheers to sloppy Sundays.

Brewed three months before the date of this tasting (“BOTTLED ON 01/02/13”).

A: Thick and black with a milky tan head that, while only rising to about a half-inch, gives a substantial appearance of creamy smoothness. Small amount of thin lacing, with just a dusting of retention over the blackness.

S: Not a strong nose, but one with a great dessert character: a wave of warm, melted chocolate and vanilla extract over a chalky cocoa scent, bitter enough to give the impression of genuine chocolate. An undeniably rich combination of aromas. Additional hints of nutty coffee, cedar, and spicy hops and bourbon.

T: A slow hop burn begins as soon as the beer hits the lips, starting with a woody pine flavor that’s much more intense than anything made evident in the nose. As the hops build, a conflagration of dark flavors appears: char, Black Forest cake, and hot fudge, with hints of pistachio (odd, right?) and espresso. Excellent balance between the sweet tooth and a cutting bitterness, as the dessert qualities meld evenly with the rising hop spiciness. Eventually, there’s a peak of black pepper and roasts, not unlike the woody harshness of Scotch whiskey; strong for only a moment, as residual sugars quickly work to keep the bitters contained. Aftertaste is a flat chocolate sugariness with the dry effects of smoke, like how a toasted marshmallow’s sweetness sticks to your palate for a while but is undercut by the campfire taste.

M: Impressively thick, the body covers the tongue in a single sip. It’s never bubbly and only slightly hot, making full sips inoffensive (and frequent).

O: This beer has nothing incredibly innovative to offer the stout community, and that’s what I like about it: no absurd hops, no bourbon barrel, no coffee, no frills. It’s beer! Dark, intense, balanced beer! Drink it!

Serving type: bottle

04-07-2013 18:03:23 | More by BarryMFBurton

mookihouse

California

4.24/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Bottle date 2/2012.

Poured into Bruery tulips. Color is black. Not much light going through held under a light. Tan head that lingers for a while.

Smells of dark fruits, a little alcohol. Taste is very tobacco and leather with some espresso. Rich but not sweet. Overall a very solid stout.

This is my first from Clown Shoes and I'm interested in trying a few more of their offerings.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2013 03:38:30 | More by mookihouse

Beerlover

Minnesota

4.31/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4.25

This one smells quite hoppy for a stout, but has roasted malt aromas apparent as well. medium low carbonation but nothing stellar for mouth feel. tastes just like it smells, again hop flavors apparent for a stout, then roast malts assalt the palate! with hints of coffee in the initial aftertaste. boozyness not apparent (12.5%!) very well balance r.i.s. between the roast malts and hops, with no added flavors (bourbon, chocolate, ect.) another good one worth trying from Clown Shoes.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 22:37:25 | More by Beerlover

gvisciano

California

4.16/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

First thing you'll notice when opening up this beer is the aroma. It has a wonderfully deep earthy and almost flowery smell. The color is deep and with a good pour you won't get much of a head. It appeared as though it would be extremely thick; however, first taste reveals it's lighter playful side. As you drink it it has obvious characteristics of coffee, oak, and roasted malts with lighter hints of chocolate, molasses, and even maple syrup. The hoppy after taste is not too unpleasant and encourages the next sip. Very enjoyable beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 02:37:54 | More by gvisciano

JackieTH

Minnesota

4.41/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Deep brown-black with a thinnish mocha brown head, leaves fits of lace. Smells of roasted malt, fig newtons, molasses and dark chocolate. Taste is lightly sweet..molasses, figs, dark chocolate..balanced against deeply roast-charred malt and bitter citrus pithy hop. Very tasty. Mouthfeel is velvety, medium bodied, nice carbonation pricks the tongue and stirs up,the taste buds. Roasty char finish keeps the palate honest and not cloying. Very good, a big imperial stout. Clown Shoes knows their Stouts, I have yet to be disappointed.

Serving type: bottle

03-17-2013 01:42:44 | More by JackieTH

RobertColianni

Pennsylvania

4.16/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

September 2012 Bottle
8oz. Pours
Duvel Tulip

A: Brown, thin, spotty head dissipates instantly. Sugary waves in what remains from original head. No legs. When held to light, body is pitch black.

S: Sweet smokiness. Alcohol forward. Maple syrup. Dry rye alcohol. Charred chocolate tones after reaching room temperature.

T: Pronounced dry, hop forward sugars with a great smokey maltiness.

M: Thin, but velvety. Dry, chalky finish.

OVERALL: Clown Shoes brought insane levels of perfection and deep complexity to an otherwise typical RIS with average consistency. Pure excellence and a pleasure to drink!

NOTE: I love and agree completely with this comment in the full review below mine: "If only the body had the substance of say a Ten Fidy or Peche Mortel it would easily be in my top 5 of all time." - angelmonster
While drinking Blaecorn I'd said that the lack of head retention may have dumbed down the nose, thus taste. I liked that the consistency was as thin as it was, as that is more true to the stout style (more robust, not necessarily heavier), but I would have PREFERRED this to be a little thicker.

Serving type: bottle

03-11-2013 15:03:02 | More by RobertColianni

angelmonster

Colorado

4.31/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.5

This bottle is from 11/2011

Pours a 1/3 inch dark chocolate head, body is pitch black. Head retention and lacing are barely above average.

Smell is big on charred, roasted malts. I get semi sweet chocolate, freshly baked cookies, burnt oak, and even some vanilla bean. Hops arent very noticeable and alcohol is lightly detected. One of the most complex smelling beers I've had.

First taste is of chocolate covered espresso beans, sweet but with a bitter bite. Charred oak and some smokiness balance out the sweetness and some medicinal hops come out in the aftertaste. At 12.5% abv it's not too potent but the alcohol does coat the throat and leave a nice warmness in the stomach.

Mouthfeel is medium bodied with a good amount of carbonation. Beer could have used more of a head or a fuller body, one of the few flaws in this outstanding stout.

Overall this beer was very good, an excellent example of a bold Imperial stout without being brash or over the top. The sweetness on the nose was amazing and when the taste was about to get cloyingly sweet, burnt malts and bitter hops balanced the palate out and left you wanting more. For almost 13% abv, this beer drank well and wasnt overbearing. If only the body had the substance of say a Ten Fidy or Peche Mortel it would easily be in my top 5 of all time.

Serving type: bottle

03-05-2013 06:33:43 | More by angelmonster

peensteen

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Jet black colour, one finger of tan head, some lace as well. Smell is roasty with lots of dark chocolate, mild coffee, leafy hop presence, a little bit of black liquorice as well, bit of alcohol heat as well. Taste is roasty with dark chocolate, malty, fair bit of bitterness, coffee and a bit of smoke, roasty and coffee aftertaste. Lightly carbonated, medium body, decent feel. Not bad but a bit average, alcohol goes largely undetected but creeps up on you though, decent but unremarkable.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 12:57:50 | More by peensteen

Halcyondays

California

4.19/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22 oz. bomber,

A: Pours black with a medium off-white head, some notes of spotty lace.

S: Dark mocha notes, chocolate syrup, molasses.

T: Nice dark chocolate flavour, pretty much like eating a candy bar, that flavour is direct and real. Long aftertaste - all chocolate. Hint of roast, but this one is like a liquid chocolate bar. Nothing wrong with that, in fact it's a lot of fun.

M: Full-bodied, rich and creamy, soft carbonation, nice big feel.

O: Fun beer, the label reminded me of a Magic card, which was an impetus among many factors for me buying this one. This is a good beer, the $11 bomber price is too high, but makes me want to try other Clown Shoes beer. Glad to have another brewer in the Southland.

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 04:12:41 | More by Halcyondays

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.19/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

The beer pours like dark roast coffee with a light khaki head that doesn’t fade but isn’t impressive, as might be expected for this big of a beer. The beer is black but it has some lovely dark brown notes to it. The beer’s body is also too dark to see through. The beer’s lacing is light to non-existent with only a couple slippery dots. On the nose, the beer smells boozy and sweet with touches of char and chocolate. There is the faintest touch of raisin dark fruit in the nose as well. On the tongue, the beer tastes sweet and oddly salty with a big wash of char and burn. The beer begins big salty, like surprisingly salty. The salt builds as the semi-sweet chocolaty malt moves in with a touch of cloying booze and is then eaten up as the roast moves in with big charred flavors that linger in the mouth. The salt and booze fade away and the finish is charred with the booze burning on the back of the throat. The aftertaste rings with char, too. On the mouth, the beer feels heavy in body with a slight creamy feel from the carbonation with a slight syrupiness. The carbonation gives a little prickle but also cradles the tongue nicely. The mouth is left charred, and dry from the roast with a light stickiness on the tongue. Overall, this is a great big Russian Imperial Stout. The flavors are big and the alcohol, while present, is nicely presented. This beer is tasty and could only blossom in a barrel (side note: I’ve had Porcine Unidragon, which is a barrel aged version of this mixed with Vampire Slayer, but I want just this to be in the barrel). Try this beer!

Serving type: bottle

03-04-2013 03:49:24 | More by Maxwell

dogfishandi

New York

4.04/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75

22oz. Bottle at about fridge temp. Bottled 2/2012 (11 months of age)

Pours out completely opaque black. A nice creamy light mocha colored head, about a 1/2 inch worth from the pour that fades with time. Good retention, and good lace.

Aroma is of chocolatey roast, milk and dark chocolate, some alcohol with a bit of dark dried fruit. Not the best aroma for a RIS, almost smells a bit faded, maybe the slightest hint of oxidation at first.

Nice taste, lots of chocolatey roasted malt, chocolate flavors of all kind, maybe some German chocolate cake/ brownie batter flavors. Just slightly warming, bitter roast finish.

Smooth, alcohol hardly noticable, carb just about right.

A decent impy stout. A little rough around the edges at first, but as it warms and opens up, some really nice chocolate flavors come forth. I would love to try the barrel aged version.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 20:37:35 | More by dogfishandi

King_KongDCO93

Minnesota

4.84/5  rDev +19.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A: Dark/pitch black with about 1/2inch of off white head that slowly dissipates. Lovely!!!!

S: Very nice roasted malt aroma!!! It has lots of toffee, coffee, caramel, vanilla aroma.

T: lot of dark roasted malts taste, mixed with coffee. very very nice.

M: Well balanced, for a 12.5% beer. It is really nice, has a medium body, yet still has all the complexity of a great imperial stout.

O: A well balanced 12.5% Imperial stout that doesn't hurt the budget and it taste better than the popular once in a blue moon stouts. At a price less then $10 for a bomber this is a must have.

Serving type: bottle

01-25-2013 00:42:22 | More by King_KongDCO93

Kendo

New York

4.06/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bottled 1/2012. Consumed January 18, 2013, making this exactly 1 year old.

A: Poured from the bottle into a Piraat tulip/snifter-type glass. Body is black with a small tan head that's gone pretty quickly.

S: Roasted barley malt with a touch of coffee. Alcohol is noted as well.

T: Dark fruits (raisins), cocoa powder and chocolate malt, with a touch of anise and a hint of licorice. I suspect that fresh this would've been a bit more roasty, but I'm happy with where it is now. I have to say the 12.5% ABV is tremendously well-hidden. I get a minor sense of alcohol drying at the finish, but no real heat either on the palate or on the way down, though a little is felt in the belly. Only time will tell, but that could be dangerous. Lingering roasty bitterness on the aftertaste.

M: Full bodied, slightly slick in feel.

O: Solid. Recently purchased (as a gift, so I didn't buy it), I can't help but wonder what it was like a year ago. As it is now, it's a good RIS, but not world-class.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 02:50:30 | More by Kendo

hardy008

Minnesota

3.1/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Pours dark black with a two finger mocha colored head with good retention and lacing. the aroma has dark roasted malt, cocoa, smoke, earth, and smoke. The earth smell is much like the inside of a cave smells.

Tastes somewhat sweet with cocoa, dark roasted malt, earth, and noticeable alcohol. I don't detect any hops, and there isn't any real bitterness for balance. I'm not sure bitterness for balance is needed, since the sweetness isn't overpowering, but it would be nice if the alcohol wasn't as noticeable.

Medium bodied with light carbonation. There is a cocoa and dark roasted malt aftertaste. Not bad overall, nothing special either.It would be nice if the alcohol was better disguised.

Serving type: bottle

01-16-2013 03:33:23 | More by hardy008

WSB

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +10.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer pours black and oily, with a quarter inch of dark tan head that is vibrant and sustained. Great head retention on this brew.

Smell is intense- equal parts alcohol, hops, and dark roasted malt, it's a blend of smokey earthiness and alcohol.

Mouth feel is thick and creamy, velvety smooth, with just a touch of carbonation.

Taste is surprisingly hop forward- bitter hops greets the tongue, followed by an wash of alcohol, then the intense roasted malts on the follow through. I get a touch of licorice and smokiness, maybe bitter chocolate, but its subtle. Finish is slightly bitter and smokey.

I found this to be an ultra aggressive take on the style. The prominence of the hops give it a more East India Porter taste (much like Pretty Things EIP) , but with the mouth feel and lesser carbonation of a stout. The alcohol almost overpowers the smokey goodness of the dark roasted malts.

I enjoyed it, however, and would cautiously recommend this brew to Russian Imperial Stout lovers who have a designated driver or are enjoying it at home.

Serving type: bottle

01-05-2013 15:53:50 | More by WSB

Teleweizen2

New Jersey

4.1/5  rDev +1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - pours an inky jet black. only a thin layer of tightly packed brown bubbles which quickly dissipates to a thin ring around the rim of the glass. Lines of lacing wrap around the glass.

S - the aroma is very intense and fairly complex. Lots of dark chocolate, almost like a chocolate soup. There is a light roasty edge of coffee grinds. Deep notes of dark fruit come through in the form of raisins and plums. There is also a touch of piney hop presence and a surprising hint of pencil shavings.

T - Smooth dark chocolate flavor on the tip of the tongue. The light notes of coffee grinds play off the chocolate nicely creating a mocha flavor. The roastiness grows stronger in the center as the earthy, piney hop bitterness enters mid-palate along with a touch of raisin fruit character. the roasty and sweet finish lingers on.

M - Full bodied. High carbonation. Silk, oily texture like fine coffee.

O - An excellent russian imperial stout. Well balanced with lots of complexity.

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 05:58:38 | More by Teleweizen2

chugalug06

Colorado

3.93/5  rDev -3.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Thin espresso colored foamy head drapes over a thick black liquid. Lacing is moderate.

Goodyear rubber aroma.. Tons of heavy smoke. Deep roasty chocolate.

Nutty, licorice, meaty, dry, smokey, light carbonation, not nearly enough sweetness, bitter, lingering, chalky, super dark chocolate.

A good RIS, but could be better blended with all flavors involved.. Recommended, I wish I knew what this one cost for a $/oz value..

Serving type: bottle

01-04-2013 00:23:30 | More by chugalug06

bens0n

Texas

4.7/5  rDev +15.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This beer passes the jet black test, nothing but opaque blackness with a nice amount of creamy tan head but theres not much retention and lacing going on, still looks beautiful after the pour.

This beer has a delicious milk chocolately and coffee aroma that I just can't get enough of. I just wish it had more head retention to really keep it fragrant beyond the initial pour. I can barely detect any of the boozyness in it, its very well masked given the ABV.

Flavor wise its just a continuation of the aroma but theres more of a coffee and unsweetened chocolate that comes out, no hops at all. The coffee notes come in in the middle and it finished with a chocolately bitterness that beckons you to keep drinking.

This beer has a very nice viscosity and as it warms up more and more flavor comes out. Its really smooth and creamy despite the lack of head. I was very impressed with this offering from clown shoes and will definitely be enjoying this beer as a staple imperial stout.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2013 04:08:26 | More by bens0n

philbe311

Pennsylvania

4/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

A - A bit more than a finger's worth of active slightly fluffy perfectly uniform medium brown colored head... Modest retention gives way to a moderately thick full layer of creamy lacing... Sleek black - 99.99% opaque - only a slight bit of light leaks in around the edges at the top of the glass... Under close examination, a few stray micro sized carbonation bubbles can be seen rising at a sluggish to moderate pace... A slight bit of lacing clings to the glass...

S - Terrific and spot on for the style... A mix of rich chocolatey goodness... Some milk chocolate... Some dark chocolate... Some cocoa... A bit of coffee is up next... Some roasted malt... Just a hint of soy sauce...

T - The palate is true to the nose... The chocolate notes are at the forefront, but the remaining flavors are a bit amplified... Roasted malts and coffee compliment the chocolate wonderfully... Some light dark fruit notes as well... Just a slight bit of booziness...

M -Not as thick as expected... This one doesn't go beyond the fuller side of medium bodied... Perhaps just the slightest bit thin... Light carbonation... A bit sleek... Goes down smooth sip after sip...

D - An interesting Russian Imperial Stout... The 12.5% ABV is extremely well hidden and sneaks up on you bit... Walks the fine line between very good and excellent, but ultimately falls on the very good side of the equation - which still makes this a terrific brew... Highly recommended for fans of the style and I will gladly revisit in the future...

Serving type: bottle

12-29-2012 04:29:49 | More by philbe311