Bell's Black Note Stout - Bell's Brewery, Inc.

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BA SCORE
100
world-class
-
1,348 Ratings

rAvg: 4.55
pDev: 8.57%
Reviews: 353
Hads: 995

Ratings Help

Brewed by:
Bell's Brewery, Inc.

Michigan, United States

Style | ABV
American Double / Imperial Stout | 11.50% ABV

Availability: Rotating. on-tap (185), bottle (141), growler (27).

Notes:
One of the most sought-after stouts in Bell's history, Black Note Stout blends the complex aromatics of Expedition Stout with the velvety smooth texture of Double Cream Stout and ages the combination in freshly retired oak bourbon barrels for months. The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso & dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel. Aimed squarely at the stout and bourbon aficionados, Black Note makes a grand statement about the art of the dark.

View: Beers (75) | Reviews (159) | Events (0)

Reviews

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Reviews by AmitC:

AmitC

Indiana

4.55/5 rDev 0%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Got this from Joe.. who brought it for me from some store. Almost $7 for a single bottle. Dated : 12/28/2012. This better be good.

Poured from the 12 oz bottle into a large snifter glass. About one finger thick dark tan almost shining brown colored head that settles slowly into a thin layer. Thick oily dark brown colored appearance while pouring. Darkest of black inside the glass. Truly is a black note. Calm inside the glass, heavy and viscous. Very good lacing on the sides with each sip.

Smell is fantastic. One of the best smelling Imperial Stout. A lot of chocolate and very apparent bourbon barrel aged notes. Some vanilla that is anticipated. No traces of alcohol. Extremely good burnt up malts and very slight amount of coffee. Too much bourbon heavy. Sweetness and maltiness is also present.

Taste is pretty much the reflection of the nose. Very smooth, lacking booze altogether. Typical Bourbon finish. Burnt up notes are low. Bourbon, wood, vanilla and chocolate in the flavor. Awesome taste overall. Low on the hops so bitterness is only mild. Dry and slightly burnt up finish.

Mouth feel is very much on the full and thick side. Drinks pretty easy, High on alcohol, but no real burning sensation or feel. No astringency of any kind. At 11.8% it drinks very smooth and won't let you feel anything. Provides good amount of warmth. Perfect for the snow season.

A lot of price for an excellent beer. Comes very near BCBS but does not quite deliver the extra value.

Style Rate: 4.5
Personal Rate: 4.5

Serving type: bottle

02-03-2013 19:21:37 | More by AmitC

More User Reviews:

kspongeworthy

Texas

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-24-2013 15:12:14 | More by kspongeworthy

derkfromwi

Wisconsin

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-24-2013 01:53:03 | More by derkfromwi

azureoval

California

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-24-2013 01:10:17 | More by azureoval

bobv

Vermont

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-23-2013 19:32:51 | More by bobv

dizztracted

North Dakota

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-23-2013 02:35:01 | More by dizztracted

Dpayne

Michigan

4.5/5 rDev -1.1%

05-23-2013 00:48:41 | More by Dpayne

Bigtwin

Michigan

4.25/5 rDev -6.6%

05-22-2013 16:29:06 | More by Bigtwin

mikeincharleston

South Carolina

4.25/5 rDev -6.6%

05-22-2013 01:05:19 | More by mikeincharleston

sacrelicio

Minnesota

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-22-2013 00:31:33 | More by sacrelicio

Beerandboards

New Mexico

4.75/5 rDev +4.4%

05-21-2013 19:01:58 | More by Beerandboards

mdaschaf

Washington

4.46/5 rDev -2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Review from notes.

A: Pours a very deep brown, practically black with a small tan/mocha colored head on top that forms a pretty tight cap. Decent read retention with thin lacing.

S: Dark chocolate upfront with some light roasted malt. Bourbon mixed with vanilla and a bit of brown sugar and molasses as well.

T: The first flavor I got was vanilla with dark chocolate, a great combination. The bourbon kicks in adding some wood, a bit of caramelized sugar, and some molasses. Faint dark fruit as well, cherries. Slight bitter/roast on the back end.

M: Full bodied with moderate carbonation, pretty smooth.

O: A very nice beer, understandable why it scores so hi. Very impressed and look forward to trying it again.

Serving type: bottle

05-21-2013 11:06:40 | More by mdaschaf