The Abyss - Deschutes Brewery

ubenumber2

Arkansas

4.79/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.75

Poured from bottle into glass , deep rich super black beer with a beautiful 3 finger deep tan colored head and lacing that sticks to the glass and holds its place all the way through the glass. One damn fine looking brew

Smell is rich and earthy , the dark malt flavors just blow you away with a sweetness to it that makes your mouth water and just makes you want to take a drink

A well balanced flavor , the dark malts hit you with a hint of chocolate and the bitterness of the hops jumping in pretty fast and riding through the drink , the alcohol is well hidden and pops up at the very end. So many complex flavors that just mix together well but each making its own way on the tounge , just wonderful and just sweet enough to let you know what it is

Such a mouth on this beer , each sip feels like you took a gulp , the carbonation is to the perfect level to offset such a heavy brew , well done

Overall for me this is the beer that should set the var for all other Imperial Stouts to try and reach. Its complex , its unique and just one damn tasty brew

Serving type: bottle

05-15-2013 02:51:28 | More by ubenumber2

SebD

Ontario (Canada)

4.46/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

Appearance: It has a nice jet black color to it. It has a nice thick dark tan head that dies down moderately slow and leaves some nice lacing.

Smell: The aromas definitely give out hints of sweet roasted coffee, dark chocolate, roasted malts, dark fruit and molasses.

Taste: Like the aromas, it has some sweet roasted coffee along with bitter dark chocolate, roasted malts, molasses, faint dark fruit, some woody oak, some licorice and maybe a touch of vanilla.

Mouthfeel: It has a low/med carbonation with a very nice overall balance and feel.

Drinkability: It's a very smooth drinkable beer accompanied with great flavors and aromas.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 20:56:46 | More by SebD

deebo

Minnesota

4.34/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I've had the pleasure to sample a couple of previous years versions but never a large enough pour to review. Found 2009 to be fantastic and 2010 to be ok. Review of 2011 keg tapped today at a local watering hole.

Served in a 10 oz snifter, this beer has the typical Abyss look, we know why they call it Abyss, with a half inch of brown head without much stickiness, decent lacing. 2011 smells a lot like Obsidian but much richer and deeper in its dark heavy roasted barley malt. Slightly burnt. Not hoppy, yeasty or hot.

Taste is like the aroma with its dark rich malt that is heavily roasted with just a hint of acrid bite in the finish. All malt. Notes of dark chocolate and anise prominent.

Viscosity is lower than many of its peers yet this beer is completely devoid of alcohol bite which makes this beast way too drinkable. A couple bottles of this goes down easy...although it will set you back a few bucks. Smooth, carbonation seems right for this beer.

Overall, I've enjoyed this beer over the years with some seeming to be better than others although it's probably me and when I've tasted vs. variability from year to year as I assume it's the same recipe. A big stout that is quite tasty and could pass for a 8% ABV beer. Would like it if it was a little more affordable and easier to get but one of those special beers you wait all year for.

Serving type: on-tap

05-14-2013 03:51:51 | More by deebo

Humulus85

Minnesota

4.36/5  rDev -4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bit of a back story; this is my second time trying this beer. First was the bottle I brought to 2012 Darkness Day to share amongst some new BA friends. It was getting late in the night and our table had already gone through many a fine bottle. My Abyss was opened and passed around, I got my pour then passed it to a very nice, but very drunk new friend who proceded to drop the halfful bottle onto the concrete. Beer abuse or a sacrifice to the beer gods? I believe the later. It was an epic night. So this one's for you Cumsalt, you know who you are!

2011 vintage poured into my favorite snifter.

Pours like old ass motor oil. Seriously the darkest beer I've ever seen. No light shines through even on the rim when held to light. Surprisingly nice two finger head that actually stuck around for a bit and left behind some lacing. Wow.

Classic roasty notes. Getting some of the molasses and anise. Hints of barrel juice and a bit of red wine. Very little alcohol. Well balanced for how much seems to be going on.

Starts of like your typical imp. stout. Tons of roasted malt and dark chocolate. Not as sweet as I expected. Barrel comes through in the middle, not so much bourbon but more oak and tobacco. Surprising amount of red wine flavors come through here. Finishes pretty bitter, like pure cocoa powde. Lingering finish with more tobacco.

Oddly high amount of carbonation for the style. Maybe a bit too much initially, but after a few swirls it calms down nicely. Heavy in body, but more modest for the style. Doesn't coat the mouth as much as some.

Overall, this is an impeccably well crafted and one of a kind beer. Not like any other stout I've had, and I've tried most of the famous big stouts. This may be the most complex of the big stouts I've had. There is so much going on, it's a wonder it works at all. I think the partial wine barrel aging is what brings this to that next level. With that said, this isn't my favorite. I prefer a more simple, straight bourbon aged stout. This also finishes a bit too bitter for me and the mouthfeel is a little light. This is a great beer though, and one that I will always buy a couple of every year. Worth the hype. Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2013 04:26:18 | More by Humulus85

Siriusfisherman

Montana

4.8/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5

2012 Reserve

L: Pitch black with a creamy mocha colored head, excellent retention for a beer of this strength. Great lacing as well.

A: Deep chocolate/coffee roasted notes, sweet cookie malt, vanilla, licorice, cherry, touch of bourbon, noticeable alcohol.

T/M: Firm coffee bitterness upfront, moves into chocolate malt, bittersweet vanilla, licorice, woody cherry, slight coconut. Hop spice is present in the middle, but not at the forefront. The back reveals some more dark fruit and cherry, and has a long, lingering roasted coffee/chocolate aftertaste. The mouthfeel is very smooth, but surprisingly light, leading to a very drinkable beer considering the strength.

Overall, one of the most complex and well balance Imperial Stouts I have ever had. Huge, rich flavor and an intoxicating aroma, not to mention it's gorgeous appearance. A world class beer fresh, can't wait to put some age on a couple bottles.

Serving type: bottle

04-30-2013 21:51:25 | More by Siriusfisherman

gcamparone

Rhode Island

4.54/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a 22 oz bomber into a snifter. Acquired in a trade. 2012 vintage.

A- Pours a chocolate colored body that's transparent on the pour but opaque once in the glass. The head is mocha colored and rises to about 1.5 fingers before slowly reducing to a thin layer of brown foam. Leaves blotchy lacing.

S- The stout characteristics are light on the nose with toffee, coffee beans, and milk chocolate coming in a little. The oak is definitely present and dominates here - fresh oak with a slight fruityness to it - is that from the cherry bark or the wine barrel? I'm not sure. What I do know is that it's unique and inviting. Vanilla and bourbon sneak through but you really have to strain for them.

T- Upfront I get a big flavorful punch of bittersweet chocolate, vanilla, toffee and molasses. This eventually develops into a dark fruit, almost tart woody note that is was definitely brought on by the wine barrels. The bourbon and oak characteristics definitely show themselves on the follow through - vanilla-caramel brought on by the bourbon and a fresh wood flavor mesh with the other flavors to really make this beer complex. The finish has that PERFECT lingering roastyness that I get in all world-class BA stouts. It lingers for at least a minute afterwards (reminiscent almost of burnt toast, but in a savory delicious way).

M- Medium body, but this does not at all take away from the experience. It doesn't have the motor-oil consistency of BCBS, but it's not TOO thin. Low carbonation.

After finishing this bottle, I can really see why it sits at the top of the top 250 list. The complexity of this beer is unmatched by any other russian imperial stout I've ever tasted, and that's really the shining point of this brew. It's not simply a BA stout, or vanilla RIS. It's a world class blend that is like none other. A must try.

Serving type: bottle

04-23-2013 01:28:56 | More by gcamparone

magictacosinus

California

4.84/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

Included in the first monthly "Beermageddon Night" with several people. Erik is awesome for sharing this with us. Review is from my notes. This is a review of the 2011 vintage. Bottle lists it as "best after 08/04/12." Consumed on "03/13/13." Poured out of a 22oz bottle into a teku glass.

The Abyss definitely lives up to its name in terms of appearance: a complete opaque blackness with an off mocha head on top, and no light going through this thing whatsoever. Looks extremely viscous and thickened to the most ridiculous degree an imperial stout can be taken, and almost looks like a coffee liqueur as a result. Tons of lacing graces the walls of the glass, and the half finger head lasts almost entirely throughout. Pretty much near perfection all around.

The aroma is chock-filled with all kinds of spices and flavors that are integrated heavily at this point, but definitely in ways that are utterly over the top. Underneath an initial whiff of faded mint, there's strong anise notes, vanilla soaked chocolate, tons of oak, a boozy backdrop that resembles candied dark fruits, vinous characteristics imparted by the Pinot Noir barrel aging, and zesty, deep roasted espresso bean flavors. This is unbelievably complex, and while I could do without the alcoholic sting and a lot of the licorice, it's quite fabulous and unique overall. Aging has done wonders to this thing for sure.

One sip reveals (to me at least) why this beer has become so romanticized as one of the country's most exceptional beers. For starters, all of the stinging sensations imparted by the ABV are completely (and I mean *completely*) hidden here! It adds some sweetness to the overall profile here, which consists of roasted woody malt juiciness with vanilla cream, herbal and floral qualities (the hops are faded at this point), and a spectacular dark chocolate finish that is satisfying and decadent overall. There's some light coffee, as well as anise, but the star here is definitely woody properties that have melded so beautifully with the chocolate and vanilla flavors. Fruits abound, such as dark cherries and blueberries, but it's very subtle. Carbonation is lively and phenomenally present, which accentuates these flavors. There's no cloying sensation caused by any sweetness or excessive hops or booze. Balance is key here, while still showcasing all of the various degrees of complexity within.

Holy crap, I love this beer. Well, this vintage, at least. Aged this long, it's one of my new favorite things, and one of the most exceptional stouts I've had of its kind - if not THE most exceptional, period! It's definitely one of those beers over $15 that is worth every penny spent, and investing in a few to cellar is a must. This is a true testament to everything that makes me love craft beer so much at its best: an ambitious recipe, heart and soul poured into the product, a dizzying array of flavors, and yet, in the end, a drinkable product that never overwhelms but rather adds on to the senses. Incredible stuff. Lives up to every bit of hype. I hope other vintages I find of the Abyss age this well.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2013 07:11:28 | More by magictacosinus

AHood

Texas

4.13/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

I had this at a Deschutes tasting at a local bar from the tap in a snifter (which I got to keep, score.)

Appearance: Opaque black, one finger head of tan head which, to my surprise, dissipated rather quickly

Nose: Dark roasted coffee, anise, somewhat oaky, dark cocoa. Very intense dark and almost smoky aromas. Slight vanilla note peaks out at you once you swirl.

Taste: COFFEE! Black bitter coffee. Just huge coffee on the front which was almost all I could taste in the first mouth full of it, then it finished with lingering dark chocolate. One the second mouth full (after the palate annihilator) I tasted more of the roasty, toasty malt and sweetness of molasses. A little bit of the vanilla and anise I got in the nose came out, but very subtle.

Mouthfeel: Feels like it looks. Smooth, rich, and velvety. Almost chewy.

Overall a beautifully brewed Imperial Stout. I would definitely drink again given the opportunity. I would love to see what this would do after a year or two in the bottle. Well done Deschutes :)

Serving type: on-tap

04-18-2013 06:37:35 | More by AHood

Clonies720

Texas

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

Deschutes The Abyss 2012. Dated "best after 11/01/13". 22oz bomber poured into snifter glass. 11.1% ABV.

Appearance: Motor oil black. Chocolately tan head

Aroma: Black liquorice, oaky effervescence, chocolate, vanilla, roasted malts

Taste & Mouthfeel: Smooth, creamy, an almost peanut butter like aftertaste. Medium-Low carbonation. Full-bodied and thick on the tongue. Very malty with a slightly spicy kick at the finish. The wood is very noticeable and creates subtle nuances in the flavors similar to the aroma.

Overall: Fairly tasty, but Deschutes is definitely right for stamping each bottle with a "best after" date to signify this beer should be aged before being drank. Luckily, I have two more bottles of this so we'll see how it develops over the next few years! Cheers!

Serving type: bottle

04-12-2013 22:21:17 | More by Clonies720

rand

California

4.65/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2011 650 mL bottle poured into snifter

A: Small head, never fully dissipates, jet black in color, smooth velvety viscosity.

S: Nose is cocoa, coffee, anise, booze

T: Palate is huge molasses, boozy, grainy toast, hop astringency. This almost tastes like straight molasses with beer flavors added for accent. Nice oaky smoothness around the edges, keeping the booze in check. Finished long and sweet.

M: Chewy and viscous...sticks to every corner of your mouth, in a good way.

This is kind of a classic for me, a go-to decadent stout befor the whole barrel-aged craze took off. This and speedway, of course.

Serving type: bottle

04-08-2013 01:28:44 | More by rand

chrisgalvin

California

3.23/5  rDev -29.2%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3

Clearly I am an arse because I was not really satisfied with this beer and I bought three bottles to be as subjective as possible -- I just wanted to see what the hype was all about. I just felt it was a bit average, just not balanced for my palate and bit too much.

Serving type: bottle

04-01-2013 04:21:11 | More by chrisgalvin

lordofstarside

Nevada

4.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2012 bomber to snifter

Pours midnight black with a half finger of khaki foam, absolutely no transparency anywhere. No visible carbonation, good legs and lacing.

Smells of french oak, coffee, chocolate, bourbon, butterscotch, molasses, wine, hops, toffee, vanilla, cherry and other dark fruits, alcohol, banana, a mild malt. Very rich and layered, quite complex. I could sniff this stuff all day

Taste follows the nose very well- up front roast coffee malts, hints of vanilla, oak, molasses and brown sugar, butter scotch, toffee, bourbon, figs, a touch of alcohol, and a strong chocolate and cherry after taste. Like the aroma, there's a ton going on here

The feel is full bodied and thick, chewy and creamy. It's upfront pretty bitter, but has a finish that ends pretty strongly on the sweet side. The alcohol is almost undetectable, impressive for how much there is after only about six months. After taste of that chocolate and cherry lingers for quite a while, really good

Overall this stuff is incredible. If it's this good thus far, it's hard to imagine how it will improve after the best after date. Well worth the hype

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 06:16:17 | More by lordofstarside

darthhamby

Missouri

4.76/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

I have two bottles of the Deschutes Abyss 2012. One I am trying now, the other I will age for a year. It's an Imperial Stout that is aged in French oak and bourbon barrels. 11% ABV, and it's about 48°F.

Right off the bat, you pick up on the vanilla and bourbons notes with a little bit of dark chocolate and roasted malt lingering on the finish. Full body, almost syrupy, like molasses. I do think I pick up on a faint whisper of anise. A lot of depth comes out and completes the finish with a espresso taste, but I swear it has some personality like wine with the oaky characteristics and some dark fruits.

The carbonation is low, which you expect with an Imperial Stout. She's balanced and has a velvety, smooth finish. 65 IBU's make this a world class Imperial Stout in my opinion.

This would go great with a freshly grounded beef burger with grilled onions and swiss cheese. Can't wait to taste it in a year.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2013 03:08:46 | More by darthhamby

papat444

Quebec (Canada)

4.59/5  rDev +0.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

*** 2011 Vintage ***

Big thanks to Rutager for this long time want.

Poured from a bomber, best after 8/4/12.

Appearance: Huge dark brown head that doesn't fill the glass too much but enough to make it eye-catching. Body id real dark, almost black. Head slowly cascades and nice hanging lacing is left as the glass empties itself.

Smell: Lots of cocoa, some vanilla, oak soaked, bit of chocolate.

Taste: Milky coffee, cocoa nibs, strong oak presence but not overbearing, charcoal, strong vanilla, cork in the aftertaste, bit of black licorice, wine-like oak backbone.

Mouthfeel: Ultra smooth & creamy, very low carbonation, velvety, easy to drink, balanced.

Overall: Flavors are various but they all fit without crowding each other. One of my favorites in recent memory. I'd have a cellar full of this!

Serving type: bottle

03-25-2013 12:01:08 | More by papat444

jbeezification

Texas

4.54/5  rDev -0.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

2011 bottle poured into a snifter at the first ever Nobi Public House tasting on March 10, 2013. Thanks to a non-BA member Tim, who brought this and the 2010 Jubel.

Pours a beautiful dark brown almost black. Good finger and a half head that settled to a thin lacing. Very nice for an almost 2 year old bottle. Smells of coffee, chocolate and what I can only call deliciousness. This is truly a delight even before taking a sip.

Tastes of chocolate, coffee and oakey notes I assume from barrels. A good amount of coffee bitterness is still present and balances out the tastes perfectly. This bottle has aged very well.

I normally wouldn't review a beer that I had only at a tasting but its Abyss and I sort of hoarded it and drank a bit more than the typical tasting amount, nobody seemed to mind.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 18:01:37 | More by jbeezification

SHerninko

Pennsylvania

4.65/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75

Enjoyed as the final beer, paired with dessert, at a BYOB in Phoenixville, PA. My contribution.
Bomber bottle cellared from the 2007 edition (2007 - Released January 2008)

*A: Dark, some slight brown, thick, slight carbonation, very nice lacing-long legs, some slight tannish head (so carbo has stayed even though it's a 2007).
*S: Licorice, smoky, peaty, some coffee, some hops as it warmed up near the end.
*T: Mmmmm mmm good. Classic high-end double or Russian Imperial taste. Fairly strong black licorice, coffee bitterness in the finish, molasses and oak. Very high level representation of the category and complex flavor characteristics that are multi-level. From initial pour to the last few warm drops in the glass, it slightly changed and opened up.
*M: Creamy but with some carbonation to keep it interesting. Not the thickest, but it coats the tongue and has a long pronounced finish (mostly coffee). No alcohol burn, it's hidden.
OVERALL: Great stout, wonderful it is "American" but wish it was from the east coast. Tough to get here. It hit on all the classic, key marks it needed to. Not a lot of bourbon, but enough of it to add to the experience and not overwhelm the experience.

Serving type: bottle

03-15-2013 17:57:18 | More by SHerninko

flydudehsv

California

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

22 oz bottle 2012. Pours solid blackish brown with a healthy espresso head. The aroma is top notch coming strongly from the tulip glass. Big coffee notes with vanilla, tart fruit, black licorice and subtle traces of bourbony goodness. The taste is complex with coffee, chocolate mousse, and sweet rock candy up front followed by oaky vanilla, graham cracker and a little heat from the bourbon. There’s beautiful bubbly lacing hanging about the glass. The palate offers a slightly syrupy texture with a good bit of carbonation to balance it. Awesome Imperial Stout!

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2013 07:29:21 | More by flydudehsv

jimmy82063

Connecticut

4.45/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured from a bomber into a snifter. Pours a jet black with a nice chocolate brown head that quickly dissipates. The smell is of bourbon, oak and smoke (burnt leather).. For the taste I am getting chocolate, coffee, vanilla, licorice and some bourbon. Interesting thing is am getting a nice bitterness at the end that may be because this beer being aged in Oak Wine barrels. There is a lot going on with this beer. Mouthfeel is nice with just some slight carbonation.

Can see the hype, glad to have tried. Will try to get this every year!

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 00:55:46 | More by jimmy82063

kaseydad

California

4.73/5  rDev +3.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

2010 Vintage. Best after 11/15/11. Drunk on 3/9/13.

Pours a deep dark black ale with a frothing, creamy dark beige head for miles. At least 3 finger high. Impressive for being aged a few years. Nice lacing throughout session.

Getting huge aroma whiffs. Black licorice is abundant. Burnt/charred wood. Dark roasted malts. Warming bourbon. Big molasses. Leather. Rawhide.

The taste is amazing. Dark chocolate with a touch of heat on each sip. Bourbon character is nicely represented. Warming tummy after each sip. Black coffee hints. Still hoppy as well. Big flavor on the swallow. Leaves the oak/leather/wood combo salivating on the buds. Really well done.

Mouthfeel is slick as an oil spill. Full bodied meal in your mouth.

Overall this is worth the hype and the search to find it. Roughly $12 a bomber is worth the price for this ride. Follow the instructions on the label re: consumption and you are in for a treat. Also look at the 11% abv cuz this baby likes to creep.

Serving type: bottle

03-09-2013 20:03:02 | More by kaseydad

DrinkSlurm

Connecticut

4.48/5  rDev -1.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

Poured from tap into tulip at the foundry in Kansas city. 2012 i think....Wow..so pumped!!
Pours a deep blackout color with a finger off tan brown head. Crazy sticky lacing on the glass. Aromas of roasted malts and anise, chocolate, and sweet caramel malts.
Such an amazing taste...bitter roasted malt undertones but big chocolatey anise sweetness. Wow...this is a fantastic stout. Truly an amazing beer worthy of the hype.

Serving type: on-tap

03-07-2013 23:22:09 | More by DrinkSlurm

Impfan

Washington

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

Pours opaque black with a billowy tan head. The nose is coffee, chocolate liqueur, licorice, vanilla, chestnut, and bourbon. The flavor is almost as complex as the aroma with the bourbon, and Merlot being more muted than I expected, but not in a "they’re almost undetectable" sort of way. Rather, those flavors serve as underpinnings (in an almost catalyst-likemanner) that bring out the intensity of the more obvious esters like bitter chocolate, roast coffee, vanilla, licorice, toffee, chestnut, salt, and almost a smoky bacon quality. At first I thought the body was a tad thin to support such a dynamic flavor profile, but then I realized that if it were thicker, it would make the flavor almost too mouth coating and intense to be as drinkable as it is. I agree with the other reviewers who think this beer will be an aging marvel, but for me it is already an absolutely ideal imperial stout, which I find even more rounded and complex than Speedway, and even more remarkable for achieving its decidedly coffeeish flavor component without the actual addition of that ingredient. The finish is incredibly long, and the balance is wondrous for such a big brew. Wow!

Serving type: bottle

03-03-2013 20:49:09 | More by Impfan

match1112

Illinois

3.91/5  rDev -14.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

2011 reserve

a: thick & black, like used motor oil pouring out of the bottle. a fingers worth of mocha colored head raised up from the depths of the bottom of the bottle. there is more sticky spider web like lacing in the glass than I have ever seen from a beer before.

s: rich and sweet molasses is the first thing, reminds me of baked beans (wonder why). unfortunately the licorice kind of ruins the smell for me. vanilla and wine barrels save it for me. don't know why but I don't pick up on the bourbon barrel aspect of this any.

t: very sweet. rich molasses and licorice dominate but blend well together. once again not picking up on the bourbon barrel. wish i could detect more of the cherry wood in the flavor.

m: thick and sticky with good carbonation. get some warming from the alochol on the finish, but it's hidden nicely. finishes warm and sticky.

o: very good beer that I'm glad I had the chance to try, but not one that I will seek out every year.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 17:09:41 | More by match1112

falc0n2600

California

4.88/5  rDev +7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

This was The Abyss 2010, bought in February 2011 and aged until November as recommended on the bottle. Definitely living up to its name, the beer was black and quite opaque and a very dark brown head. It smelled like dark chocolate with a bit of coffee and nuts. Incredibly thick and the most velvety smooth beer I've ever had out of a bottle. I could taste alcohol, but just barely. Nicely carbonated. I think the aging mellowed it, as I had it again on tap this year and the carbonation and roasted flavors were much more intense and biting. It deserves to be aged.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2013 05:56:46 | More by falc0n2600

Downey_george

4.71/5  rDev +3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Enjoyed on tap at the Uncle Henry's Deli, Downey CA on 2/14/13

A: Dark Black with a tiny rim of dark brown head. .

S: Baker's chocolate, wood, and very dark roasted malts stick out right away. Some dark fruit as it warms. Very Nice.

T: Dark chocolate and deep, dark malts from the beginning. Somewhat nutty and cherry flavors mix well with the wood/oak character. Blends very well together.

M: Velvet smoothness, thick, and carbonation is very soft.

O: One of the best I've had for this style. Really glad I got to try it on tap.

Serving type: on-tap

02-20-2013 06:22:11 | More by Downey_george

NickHerrmann

North Carolina

4.94/5  rDev +8.3%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

2012 Deschutes Brewery The Abyss

Bomber to a snifter

A - Motor oil black; dark brown head; some lacing.

S - DEEP dark chocolate, molasses, , coffee, malt, roasty.

T - Sweet molasses, dark/bitter chocolate, bitter hops, with sweet chocolately finish.

M - Thick!

O - Top-notch stout that lives up to it's reputation over the years!

Serving type: bottle

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 18:38:04 | More by NickHerrmann