Porcine Unidragon - Clown Shoes

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

4.03/5  rDev -2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

This bottle, a find in a recent US road trip, has some incredible characteristics. However it is much more boozy that the 12.5% abv would represent. Not that the booze is in the nose or even finish, but certainly in the aftertaste it is pure alcohol. A little thin for an IS. However the beechwood smoke was outstanding, and the bourbon is well integrated in the flavour. Dangerously drinkable.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 02:55:37 | More by northyorksammy

UCLABrewN84

California

4.15/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.25

Thanks to mhksuccess for sharing this one at his tasting.

Pours an opaque black with a foamy dark khaki head that settles to wisps of film on top of the beer. Foamy streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of dark roasted malt, smoked malt, campfire, and alcohol. Taste is much the same with a cocoa flavor and bourbon kick on the finish. There is a medium amount of roasty and smoky bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a lower level of carbonation with a slightly crisp and medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with a nice smoke presence all around.

Serving type: bottle

02-18-2013 04:15:17 | More by UCLABrewN84

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.26/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

22 ounce bottle - $11.99 at Bullock's Wine & Spirits in Marietta, Georgia.

Appearance: As like the Blaecorn, it pours out an unassuming, black body with one inch (and only one inch) of tan suds. A thin glaze of lacing on the way down.

Smell: Slight smokiness from the charred, well-roasted malts edged by dark chocolate with a rather high cocoa content, scant dark fruits, smoked black licorice, mild-mannered resinous-traced hops, and quality bourbon.

Taste: Roasted, burnt malts with some sweetish, sugary treacle and malted milk balls covered in dark bitter chocolate. Moderate smokiness from the beechwood-smoked malts. An ebb and flow of sweet bourbon with notes of oak, brown sugar, coconut. Floral, resinous hops. Medium-plus bitterness. A handful of burnt raisins. Some alcoholic heat in there. Occasionally, you get an additional blip of sugar. Roast, brown sugar, bourbon-soaked brownies on the warming finish.

Mouthfeel: Medium-plus body. Medium carbonation. A bit chewy, a bit sticky.

Overall: The hard, harsh roastiness and heavy hoppiness of the Blaecorn is smoothed over quite a bit here in the Porcine, making the presentation much more enjoyable. Where, with the Blaecorn, I would be unlikely to revisit the beer, I could cheerfully go for another dose of this stuff.

Serving type: bottle

01-13-2013 02:11:51 | More by ChainGangGuy

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.69/5  rDev -11.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Served in a snifter at Firkin.

I missed out on the small wave of bottles of this around here, so I was thrilled to see this stuff pop up as part of Firkin's Brash/Clown Shoes tap takeover. It pours a solid obsidian topped by a finger of off-khaki foam. The nose comprises chlorinated bourbon, light oak, cocoa, mild smoke, and thick roast. I've gotta say, that strangely chlorine-laden bourbon dominated in a bad way, but not bad enough to ruin things completely: just bad enough to make me generally unhappy. The taste brings in more of the same, luckily with much less chlorine and a helluva lot o' bourbon. There's hardly a hint of the smoke, though, which is decidedly disappointing. The body is a hefty medium, with a light moderate carbonation and a nearly chewy feel. Overall, a solid stout, very heavy on the barrel, but one that doesn't really showcase the smoke in any way whatsoever, instead opting for a heavy dose of bourbon barrel. It's not a strictly bad thing, just a thoroughly disappointing one.

Serving type: on-tap

05-16-2013 06:33:29 | More by TMoney2591

MasterSki

Illinois

4.28/5  rDev +3.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle shared at Tom's place. I'm a terrible person and can't remember who brought this. Served in a mini-pint glass.

A - Lightly tanned foam settles to a thin cap, thick collar, and minimal lace. Very, very dark brown body.

S - A mix of smoke, oak, and bourbon. It's perhaps a touch fusel and boozy, with a hint of green apple in there. There's a touch of malt sweetness, but this is heavy on char and roast flavors.

T - The taste has a bit more dark chocolate and sweet malt flavors, with vanilla, maple-glazed ham, hickory, smoke, and campfire. Much less boozy than the aroma, with a nice balance between roasty and sweeter flavors.

M - Smooth, creamy, and not very dry for a 100% barrel-aged beer. Full body, lower carbonation, and not much alcohol heat. Quite good.

D - Once you get past the mildly boozy aroma, this is quite good. I suspect it will be even better in six months or so. Hope we get this one in Chicago, as it's another well-made stout from Clown Shoes, a brand I can actually purchase without having to fight off bandwagon beer fans and speculators. Obviously not a beer that you're going to drink in massive quantities, but really nice in small quantities.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 22:04:14 | More by MasterSki

jlindros

Massachusetts

4.4/5  rDev +6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Pours light fluffy 1/4 finger mocha colored head that fades fairly quickly, typical for that high abv, super dark pitch black beer.

Nose is great, some smoke starts out right away, a touch of smoked malt and light smoldering beachwood like smoke, then ridiculous chocolate, mostly cocoa nibs and darker chunk chocolate melting, milk chocolate, light powdered cocoa too, light roast, little chalky, caramel, nice nutty toffee, etc. Then barrel, nice vanilla barrel oak, light bourbon but def present. The more I nose the more the smoke goes away the more a myriad of malts seem to present themselves.

Taste is very nice too, starting with big dark malts, plenty of chocolate malt, cocoa nibs, melting dark chocolate and even bakers, powdered cocoa, and the works. Next comes the caramel and toffee, light nutty and semi sweet syrupy malt base, with a light fluffy nougat like, and little creamy. Smoke is there again but lighter, smoked malt flavor for sure but doesn't overpower, light smoked beachwood like again. Later a bitterness comes through, mostly from the darker malts, light earthy like hops. In the back end is the barrel, light oak and nice vanilla, light bourbon that gets mostly overpowered by the malts and seems more of an after thought. As it dries on the finish, little sticky, touch of booze, a light bitter roasty malt, earthy bitter hops, light barrel char, wisp of smoke, long lingering chocolate.

Mouth is fuller bodied, rich, slight creamy, light warming booze, little sticky syrupy, decent carb.

Overall quite nice. I should snatch up some more before it disappears. Nice malts, great chocolate, nice use of light smoke without acrid roast, good barrel addition although wish the barrel and bourbon was a bit more.

Serving type: bottle

12-03-2012 00:11:23 | More by jlindros

Zorro

California

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Light proof black beer with a good sized brown colored head.

Smells of berry and patent malt with some caramel. Chocolate, coffee and toasted grain with roasted nuts. Scent of ethanol and in that a light plum aroma.

Starts out sweet with a smoky and slightly bitter after taste. Stays sweet mostly tastes of smoke and mocha. Definitely a bit boozy in the mouth. Little bit of a berry flavor here and a little plum brandy but this is quite heavy on the dark roasted grain.

Mouthfeel is good.

Overall a good RIS but not my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

02-24-2013 02:45:27 | More by Zorro

kojevergas

California

3.01/5  rDev -27.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Self-identifies as an American Imperial Stout. Acquired for $14.00 at a bottle shop in the Los Angeles county area. 12.5% ABV confirmed. 1 pint 6 fl oz brown glass bottle with uninteresting label art and branded standard pressure cap served into a Mitchells of Lancaster flared stem-tulip in me gaff in low altitude Los Feliz, Los Angeles, California. Reviewed live. Expectations are high given its reputation.

Served cold - straight from the fridge - and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.

A: Pours a half finger tan colour head. Nice cream, nice thickness, bad (~1-2 minute) retention. The high ABV makes the retention more excusable, but it still leaves a lot to be desired. Body colour is a solid dark nontransparent black; not quite a jet black - but dark. Opaque. No yeast particles are visible. No bubble show. Looks par for the style, but it's not unique or special. No overt flaws are obvious to me. No lacing whatsoever as the head recedes.

Sm: Bourbon, sure. Light vanilla, weak vague unevocative oak. Dark malts. I don't get any smoked malt notes. Not much in the way of woody notes either. Maybe some vague pork. Caramel. Cream. A moderate strength aroma which is not as complex nor as subtle as the brewers seem to want it to be. A mild to moderate strength aroma. No yeast character is detectable. I do get some vague alcohol, but it's not a hot or boozy aroma. I'm looking forward to trying it, but based on the aroma I think it'll be good at best.

T: The bourbon is roughly executed, lacking sophistication. Some wanting vanilla notes with too much sweetness. No refined oak or guiding woody notes. Dark malts. Chocolate malt. Caramel. Surprising acidity. Maybe a hint of coffee. Very light smoke; not at all rauchbier-esque in character but rather so light as to be nearly unnoticeable. Smokiness is rarely used as a means of imparting a subtle or light flavour, and this beer makes it clear why - it just isn't worth doing. Coconut. Brown and/or unrefined sugars. It feels forced; nothing about this beer comes off natural or cohesive. I want so much more roast than it provides; it comes off too sweet to me in a way that renders it artificial. Decently balanced, but far from ideal. No yeast character comes through. I do get some noticeable if light alcohol, though I wouldn't call it hot or boozy. The smoked malts/beechwood feels wasted here; it's just not deep or evocative. Fair complexity. No real subtlety. Sort of a colour by numbers bourbon barrel imperial stout; many of the beats are there, but it's just not what it should be.

Mf: Smooth and wet. Artificially slick. Imperfect carbonation. Thick, but not necessarily justified - the complexity just isn't there. Okay presence on the palate. Not biting or sharp. A biteen warm, but I wouldn't call it boozy or hot. Decent softness for the style. Suits the flavour profile in a middling generic way; it certainly doesn't come off custom-tailored to it.

Dr: You've got to bring more to the table than this to really stand out in this style. I sense a lot of wasted potential here; the beechwood and smoked malt seemed lost on the flavour profile. If you're going to go for a flavour, you've got to commit and really go for it. This lacks boldness and a willingness to experiment. Consequently, it's sadly forgettable. I wouldn't get it again; there's a wealth of superior and cheaper beers in the style out there. A decent offering from Clown Shoes, but one which convinces me that my policy of ignoring them for the time being is a good one. Not recommended. Drinkable but unremarkable. Doesn't hide its ABV well.

Low C+

Gets better as it warms. Probably best served slightly chilled.

Serving type: bottle

05-23-2013 04:56:13 | More by kojevergas

Georgiabeer

Georgia

4.21/5  rDev +1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Quite an interesting beer- the combination of the beechwood smoked malt combined with the Bourbon barrel aging could be a recipe for overload or taste clash, but it actually works very well, partly because neither flavor is overbearing and they are nicely balanced with each other. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that either the smokiness nor the Bourbon barrel are faint flavors here, rather that they are restrained enough not to overwhelm the other or to throw everything off balance. Nice campfire and smoked meat flavors, and some restrained Bourbon married with some roasty notes from the stout and a touch of creamy sweetness. Fairly silky in the mouth, and very well integrated. Overall, very nice.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 02:40:39 | More by Georgiabeer

champ103

Texas

2.75/5  rDev -33.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

On tap at Hay Merchant in Houston.

A: Pours a dark, opaque, inky black color. A bubbly tan head rises for an instant and recedes in a second. A bit of lace, but not much to speak of.
S: Hardly anything in the nose. Some roast, some coffee, a bit of chocolate. Very unassuming, and neutral.
T: Not unassuming or neutral at all here. Bitter bakers chocolate and cloying sweetness is the show. Overpowering in that regard. Then alcohol. Lots and lots of ethanol like burning rubbing alcohol.
M/D: A full and viscous body. Low carbonation, and syrupy. The tons of alcohol and sweetness makes this really hard to drink. This could not have ended fast enough.

Another overpriced and over hyped barrel aged RIS, and another from this brewery. I am glad I did not have to spring for a bottle this time. Nothing I would recommend.

Serving type: on-tap

05-20-2013 02:51:29 | More by champ103

maximum12

Minnesota

3.93/5  rDev -5.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Another intriguing-sounding beer from a brewery that continues to appeal to the 16 year old Dungeons & Dragons fan I once was. Man, those were fun nights. Beers like this probably would have made them even more so. 22 oz. bottle split with my adorable wife.

The pour is black, like you didn't fucking know that already, & I'm not going to wax poetic about the particular shade. Nose is smarmy chocolate by the handful, notes of barrel, sweetness, & a gentlesnack of underlying smokiness...which I appreciate. Subtle is always the best way to go with smoked malts.

Porcine Unidragon is a thick unibrow of a beer. Heavy barrel clamps down on the tongue without the faintest trace of vanila. Warm smokiness arrives without overpowering. Sweetness of the malt is underneath & earthy, warm, chocolatey. Love the mouthfeel, it's absolutely turgid. If it tasted as good as it felt, I'd be writhing on the floor.

Good shotgun wedding of restraint & barrel that makes the base beer a bit better. Very good beer that is a poster child for a big, thick stout.

Serving type: bottle

05-18-2013 04:17:39 | More by maximum12

Reagan1984

Massachusetts

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Finally have time to enjoy this bottle and sit for a review. Lots of interesting things happening in this beer.

First a good looking Imp Stout. Sturdy, creamy dark tan head with lots of staying power. Clumps of lace left in the glass. Deep dark brown with no light getting through in any way.

You can smell the smoked malt and it adds depth to the barrel notes. This is right above a bit of ash and bourbon. Nice aroma.

Smoke, Black Licorice, Ash, bourbon, wood, almost a slight menthol flavor…. A bot of alcohol at the end. The smokey finish blends nicely with the bourbon flavor and adds a dimension of depth.

Thanks to Alex (Masterski) for nudging me to get to this bottle. Perfect for a wintry evening.

Serving type: bottle

01-11-2013 22:17:00 | More by Reagan1984

Bung

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

22oz. Somewhat becalmed oily black pour. Some brown around the edge. Just a few light tan bubbles.

Aroma, yep, bourbon. Some woody roast malt and chocolates.

Taste, some carmelly bourbon and vanilla up front. Some roast malt, smoke is super faint, but there is some there. Some bitter chocolate, anise, booze in the finish.

Quite coating, not cloying, but it seems like a bit much. If there was some more smoke and roast malt to balance out the sweet rather than the booze, this would be better. It is a little on the warm side, but still bearable.

This falls into the third slot of their stouts for me. Vampire and Sombrero are heads above this, but this is better than Luchador which was terrible imo.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2013 02:54:39 | More by Bung

Phelps

Arizona

4.08/5  rDev -1.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Clown shoes porcine unidragon

This is Blaecorn Unidragon, but made with beechwood-smoked malt and aged in bourbon barrels. Poured into a snifter.

Thick and black as ink. A very thin cap of fizz pops away after a few seconds.

Maple syrup, vanilla, crumbled cocoa, toasted oak, campfire smoke, raisin, alcohol. A quality blend of aromas.

The smoke is more pronounced in the flavor. Huge beechwood notes and burnt oak in the front give way to chocolate and a touch of dark fruits in the middle. Smoke rises again at the swallow, along with a fairly pronounced alcohol flavor.

Alcohol fumes in the nose, and numbness on the tongue. Thick and viscous medium-full body with mild, prickly carbonation. Breaks into a bit of fizz as it moves.

Good stuff. Could use just a bit more sweetness, more barrel, a little less smoke. Better enjoyed in quick sips.

Serving type: bottle

11-22-2012 07:04:16 | More by Phelps

Jeffo

Netherlands

3.48/5  rDev -16.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5

Stole this bottle from Beerdrifter when he was mashed and looking the other way. Cheers man!

From a bomber into a snifter
Blaecorn Unidragon, beechwood smoked and then aged on bourbon barrels

APPEARANCE: A black pour, slightly transparent, yields a 1+ finger, medium looking, light tan head with very good retention. Black bdy with slightly higher levels of carbonation evident. A swirly wisp and ring remain leaving touches of lacing down the glass.

SMELL: Definite smoked malts with light meaty tones. Roasted malts, nice dark chocolate in there, with bourbon barrel as well. Vanilla and sweet cream from the barrels balances nicely with the smoky, roasted base. Bold and well balanced.

TASTE: Some roasted and smoked malts up front with bourbon, oak, sweet cream and some smoked meat notes at the swallow. Big alcohol presence with a bold and lingering finish that's smoky, roasted with a touch of bitter chocolate and a solid dose of bourbon barrel as well. A little too hot for top marks, but it's enjoyable and complex for sure.

PALATE: Lighter body and higher levels of carbonation. Creamy enough on the palate, luckily, goes down fine and finishes slightly sticky. Lots of heat after the swallow. Too light and carbonated for the style, but not rough or airy.

OVERALL: This was pretty nice. The feel was sub-par and the alcohol a little too present, but this brew showed lots of flavor and an impressive degree of complexity. Not one I'd need to search out again, but one I'd happily drink again if it was offered. I'm glad Drifter happened to be cleaning up the beer I'd spilt while I stole this out of his bag. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 20:26:09 | More by Jeffo

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.35/5  rDev +4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

22oz, October 2012 release
DFH signature glass

A: Pours deep brown leading to black color. Collar of light tan for the head. Reddish hues on edges. Some lacing sheeting is evident with the swirl. There are some alcohol feet on this one.

S: Really nice smelling beer here. Vanilla actually comes first to me, from the aging. Then you get that meaty smoke character. There is a touch of booze coming through, but not overpowering. Then you pull more of that oak. Dark chocolate hints. Really inviting.

T: Bitter dark chocolate up front. Meshing really well with the vanilla and oak character from the wood aging. Then those BBQ smoked malts. It's by no means overly campfire or meaty bacon like flavor. It's just the right touch to add to it. Blends really nicely with the other flavors. Alcohol is hidden extremely well here. You get a little burn on the back end, but that is pretty much it.

M: Full bodied.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 14:30:46 | More by inlimbo77

Dope

Massachusetts

4.05/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A: Pitch black pour. Big and very dense mocha-colored head. Fades slowly; excellent retention. Decent amount of lacing left behind.

S: Decent bourbon presence initially. Lots of caramel, toffee and vanilla. Acrid BBQ pit smoke wafts up and mixes in. Just a hint of chocolate to boot.

T: Strong bourbon and smoke up front, mixes together surprisingly well. Fresh and boozy bourbon for sure. Bourbon is quite sweet, lots of caramel and vanilla. Sweet milk chocolate shows up in the middle. It's a touch meaty especially towards the finish. Kinda tastes like well burnt BBQ with all the smokiness in there. Oaky in the lingering finish.

M: Big thick and heavy. Boozy bourbon cuts it a bit but it's got a smooth oily mouth-coating character that won't be denied.

O: A complex stout for sure. Bourbon is quite strong and so is the smoke. Between the two they drown out most of the base stout itself other than a bit of chocolate - otherwise I would be giving this a much higher score. Definitely check this one out if you like bourbon and/or smoke.

Serving type: bottle

11-08-2012 03:55:58 | More by Dope

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

4.58/5  rDev +10.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A - How do you describe these quality stouts? After a while you run out of adjectives to describe the deep, awe-inspiring, inescapabale-even-by-light darkness. I'm running out of options. That being said, all the best ones apply to this brew. Motor oil is applicable, that shiny dark ultra black that color alone alludes to a high viscosity. The pours wells up a thin tan head from the fathoms of inky darkness. A head that stays for a spell, but not very long.

S - Bourbon! Oak! Whoa! The bourbon aroma literally slapped me in the face (okay figuratively but the difference is negligible). The bourbon-osity is accompanied by a toasted oak plank. It seems like the whole plank is in there, lending its bicameral flavors, rich roasted woodiness and smooth sensual vanilla notes. Incredible, and thats just the top tier. After the big elements, a second level of subtle notes emerge, chocolate, vanilla, toffee and caramel. A regular London Sweet Shop of aromas lending support.

T - The beer only adds to its character with the flavor. It mirrors the aroma pretty closely. The vanilla, chocolate, toffee flavors lay down a fine bedding for the humongous flavors that are capably, but barely retained. Those huge bourbon, oak, and toasted wood notes that make a beer incredible.

M&D&O - smooth of course, but palate heavy from the compendium of flavor notes. Thankfully, it's not as thick as it appears, which is a good thing. You can spend each sip savoring the flavorinstead of chewing your sludge. A redeeming beer for Clown Shoes for me. My second from their brewery and far superior than the first, this shelf section will now get more, and deserved, attention from me as I shop. Well Done!

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2012 15:01:17 | More by sinstaineddemon

kawilliams81

Illinois

3.96/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 22 oz bottle into a GI Clybourn snifter.

A- pours black with a 1 finger dark tan head. Big webs and blotches of lacing remain on the glass.

S- big chocolate amd coffee aromas, faint bourbon and some vanilla.

T- bitter chocolate, coffee, bourbon, vanilla, and some bitter roast at the finish.

M- full body and medium carbonation. Slight heat, slick and lighter feel.

O- good RIS, not a big barrel influence but its there. Nice coffee, chocolate and some vanilla notes in this beer is a plus.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2013 03:44:09 | More by kawilliams81

bmwats

Louisiana

4.06/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Poured from a 650 ml bottle into a footed tulip.

A: Black. Pours about a half finger, foamy, brown-white head. Settles pretty quickly, leaving a smattering of bubbles. Fair amount of random lacing.

S: Roasted espresso. dark unsweetened chocolate, molasses, and licorice.

T: Woody, smoky, roasted espresso, dark chocolate, peat, and licorice.

M: Thick, heavy, bittersweet finish. Very smoky.

D: Sip and enjoy.

Atmosphere is pretty damn good. Nice head, and lots o' lacing. Nose is coffee and chocolate, with sweet and bitter components. Flavor similarly... coffee, bittersweet chocolate. Overall, this is a great quaff.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 08:16:24 | More by bmwats

bigfnjoe

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +8.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a Duvel tulip

A- pours black with a two finger dark tan head that sticks around for awhile. Nice looking beer, that's for sure

S- slight bourbon and a smoky, meaty aroma in the nose. Awesome, but mild

T- incredibly balanced. Slight smokey/meaty taste (but not overwhelming like in most smoked beers), slight hints of the bourbon barrel coming through, nice bit of chocolate, and a slight bit of coffee...not too much of anything, just a perfect blend.No booziness either. Amazing

M- huge body, very viscous. Unreal.

O- this is a fantastic beer. My first offering from Clown Shoes, and I'm a big fan. Well done.

Serving type: bottle

02-08-2013 22:40:16 | More by bigfnjoe

BEERMILER12

Maine

4.38/5  rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled on 10/11/12

A: Pours a midnight black with slightly less than a fingers worth of grown head that fizzles out quickly

S: Roasted malts, smoke, chocolate brownies, oak, booze. Smoke is the definite stand-out, which is nice

T: Follows the nose, with a nice salty smokiness, booze, light bourbon, oak, and an inkling of chocolate

M: Full bodied with low-moderate carbonation. Big and thick

O: The beechwood smoked malt adds a great smoke flavor to the base beer, and the bourbon barrels lend some nice bourbon and oak notes. These are both great additions to an already solid base beer. A little pricey at close to $12 for a bomber, but worth it if you like smoked beers and BA stouts

Serving type: bottle

10-29-2012 21:44:19 | More by BEERMILER12

jondeelee

Massachusetts

4.45/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Porcine Unidragon opens to a rich, malty, syrupy, smoky nose that immediately bespeaks a massive brew. Fresh-ground black coffee, ash, tobacco, and healthy doses of smoky peat form an almost solid wall in their potency, bolstered by heavy cream, molasses, brown sugar, toffee, and a touch of vanilla and charcoal from the bourbon barrel aging. Figs, dates, prunes, and black cherries add further nuance to the sugars, accompanied by both milk and dark chocolate. As the bottle sits open for a minute or so, faint smudges of citrusy and piney hops begin to appear and rim the edges. As a whole, the nose is fantastic, offering pretty much everything one could hope for in a barrel-aged Imperial Stout: massive sugars, ash, tobacco, and hints enough of bourbon to please the nose. A slightly larger bourbon presence would have added further pleasure, but this is still an aroma to be reckoned with.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a huge wave of tobacco, ash, coffee grounds, espresso, black malt, smoky peat, and charcoal – it’s difficult to imagine more smoke, ash, wood, and char in a beer. These are somewhat tempered by heavy cream, molasses, brown sugar, and a few fruit esters (fig, black cherry, date, prune), but even the massive sugars present in here aren’t enough to overcome the ash fugue. Then a shot of pretty much straight bourbon laces the teeth and tongue together, bringing heavy vanilla and charcoal, as well as a strong bourbon alcoholic burn that rises into the nasal cavities. In subsequent sips the bourbon notes somehow increase in potency, almost overly-dominating the flavor profile. The aftertaste is a long-lingering ashy and bourbon-alcoholic reminder of the main notes. Mouthfeel is a surprising medium (though it feels like it should be more viscous, given the flavors), and carbonation is medium.

Overall, this is very good Imperial Stout, and the bourbon barrel aging has added lovely layers of complexity to the base Blaecorn Unidragon. While the bourbon notes aren’t as immediately present on the nose, they come out in full force on the tongue, and actually might end up being a bit too strong, overshadowing the stout, which struggles to come through. Which is to say: anyone who is not a fan of bourbon should probably stay away. But lovers of Imperial Stouts will find this a nice addition to their repertoire.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2012 16:35:23 | More by jondeelee

justintcoons

Pennsylvania

4.45/5  rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

22oz bottle poured into a snifter.

Appearance
Pitch black with absolutely no light penetration. 1 finger of tan head that dissipates quickly.

Nose
Smoked oak, dark chocolate, char, earth and hints of bourbon.

Taste
Dark chocolate and roasted barley. Light notes of smoked meat and fire wood. Tons of caramel and espresso. Hints of prune and vanilla. Some smooth bourbon, earth and charcoal on the finish. Oak lingers.

Mouthfeel
Medium-full bodied, silky, smooth, dry and warming.

Overall
The bourbon barrel adds a great deal of depth without overpowering the base beer. Surprisingly smooth for 12.5%. I'm quite impressed with this Clown Shows offering.

Serving type: bottle

01-12-2013 22:58:31 | More by justintcoons

acevenom

Louisiana

4.9/5  rDev +18.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Poured into a large brandy snifter. Pours black with a somewhat quickly dissipating finger length light tan head. The beer is opaque, but some tiny bubbles are visible on the edge of the glass. There is some lacing left on the side of the glass during consumption. The smoked malt aroma brings some recollection of Schlenkerla, which is to be expected due to the use of beechwood smoked malt. I also get some chocolate, coffee, bourbon, and some sweetness. There are some bourbon notes and the smokiness from the malt up front. I get some of that coffee, chocolate, and some of that malt sweetness. The alcohol is forward, but it's tough not to expect that at 12.5% ABV. There's also a touch of meatiness there from the beechwood smoked malt. The body is full and the beer coats the mouth well with each sip. The carbonation is on the lower end. This is an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

12-30-2012 18:54:19 | More by acevenom