Heavy Seas - Bourbon Barrel Aged Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout - Heavy Seas Beer

JayReq

North Carolina

4.84/5  rDev +17.2%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

I will admit that I like my beers dark and heavy ("like my women," my grandfather used to say), and if there is a beer that hits that button, Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout from Heavy Seas mashes it hard. I have not a such an enjoyable imperial-anything in a long time, so it is a pleasure to leave a review for this awesome (but rare at this point) brew,

Serving it from a bottle kept in a dark cabinet, I drank this beauty from a small tasting cup.

Appearance: Pouring it out, it is a beautiful pitch black with a small hint of molasses in the light. Dark brown head, very light and foamy, with enough body to it that it leaves behind a bit of a lattice.

Smell: Strangely enough the bourbon barreling has yield only the vanilla and the chocolate, as I don't smell the charcoal that usually pervades bourbon-barreled brews. Nice hint of brown sugar behind the vanilla and the chocolate. It smells just like the bottles says it should taste, which leads me to...

Taste: Basically the same thing, but this time you get the small bite of the bourbon right on the bed of the tongue after the chocolate and vanilla work their magic. Very strong and very sugary, it definitely reminds me of old molasses.

Mouthfeel: Starts off gentle with the vanilla under the robust dark chocolate. Not flat at all, which is a risk any time you barrel a beer. Maybe there was some secondary fermentation? Couldn't find any esters at the bottom of the bottle. Right in the middle of the tongue you get that small bite of whiskey, as previously mentioned, and it finished with a tiny bit of smoke, a very nice finish coupled with one last smattering of burnt sugar.

Overall I am regretting I did not buy more of these bottles. A great Imperial Stout with wonderful chocolate and bourbon expressions. This is how a beer in this style is supposed to be done.

Serving type: bottle

04-25-2013 01:30:20 | More by JayReq

Maltmaiden

Alabama

4.74/5  rDev +14.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75

A: very dark brown. Thin head that keeps a ring til the end.

S: Lots of chocolate right off the bat. Warm burbon coming through, not too much though. Roasted malt. light fig. light alcohol.

T: Really big milk chocolate. The bourbon just rounds out the sweetness and deepens the flavor. Very well balanced. Delicious. Like chocolate milk with bourbon...or bailey's. Very round taste.

M: It looked deceptively when I poured it because it definitely has a creamy body. Velvety.

O: Holy shit this is delicious. I will buy more of this for sure and will definitely look for it on tap. Must have!

Serving type: bottle

02-28-2013 04:20:06 | More by Maltmaiden

brewtus

Ohio

4.64/5  rDev +12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Poured into snifter
A- pours black with a nice half finger dense tan head
S- Dark chocolate, bourbon, some dark fruit, slightly boozy, some cinnomon
T-/M starts with a milky chocolate, leads into very well balanced oakey bourbon, finishes with dark chocolate notes, some vanilla, just slightly sweet.texture is perfect. Alcohol is hidden very well.
O- sooo delicious, a great desert beer, no one flavor dominates, they all work together so well. Ill have to grab another one of these while I can find them.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 03:20:01 | More by brewtus

Rast

Maryland

4.54/5  rDev +9.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bomber as the Michigan Wolverines assert themselves against No. 1 Louisville in the 75th NCAA men's basketball championship.

Let's begin with the description on the bottle: "Imperial Stout Brewed with Chocolate and aged in Bourbon Barrels." Questionable capitalization, but certainly a description tailor-made for the tastes and standards of the average Beer Advocate reviewer, among whom I'm counted. No disappointment here: pours a deep, tootsie-roll brown with a thick head and lovely lacing. Nose is chocolate love and roasty stout coffee yum. Tastes wonderful, not overwhelmingly chocolate like some stouts I've sipped. Rich, rich, rich malt blends well with the chocolate roastiness. Smooth rich mouthfeel.

As inviting as the "sirens" who used to invite us over to their haus after men's Bible study in college. Heavy Seas may have found their niche in the outstanding stout universe.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2013 01:54:24 | More by Rast

Maxwell

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

The beer pours a big old stout black with a nice little sand dune tan head that whiffs away quickly to leave a scrim. The lacing that the beer leaves is thin but sheet-like and wide spread, leaving a nice sticky webbing on the glass, and the beer does leave faint legs when it is swirled up the sides of the glass. The beer’s body is practically impenetrable to the eye, though there are lighter brown patches on the side of the glass that remind me of light roast coffee. The black color of the beer is a tad lighter than other imperial stouts, but the beer seems free of particles. On the nose, this beer smells big, but well balanced and controlled. Boozy sweet bourbon is there in the nose, but is not oppressive like some other bourbon barrel-aged beers can be. The chocolate is rich and complex, hinting at cocoa then milk chocolate and then back to cocoa. There is very little in terms of roasted malt character in the nose, though some light caramel notes do come through. The chocolate, however, is the star of the smell, and is rich and layered, which says very good things about what this beer has to offer. On the tongue, the beer tastes richly of cocoa and milk chocolate with a nice light touch of boozy bourbon and roasted malt. The beer begins with slightly bitter chocolate, which mellows and molds into cocoa powder and milk chocolate as it oozes through the mouth followed by light notes of vanilla from the wood, and then the sweet cloying bourbon makes a light peak in flavor, before being bumped aside by late blooming roasted malts that were not present in the nose, and give a nice light note of char. The aftertaste is light with vanilla and faint hints of chocolate. On the mouth the beer is velvety smooth, sitting on the tongue as medium to heavy in the body. The mouth is left clean with just a little bit of dryness from the roast, and some saliva along the sides of the tongue. Overall, this is a beautifully delicious chocolate beer. It is lighter in the bourbon barrel notes, though still quite strong with vanilla, but I think this works excellently in this beer. The chocolate and vanilla are the big flavors here, and everything else is on the lighter side, but it works beautifully. This beer is delicious. Try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2013 03:15:50 | More by Maxwell

HarryPotHead

Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +2.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25

ST - from 22 oz bomber into Nonic pint glass.

A - opaque and nearly jet black with a 2 finger khaki head and sticky lace to the bottom of the glass.

S - expected something much bigger / stronger, but it just wasn't there. Not bad....definitely not off putting, just not strong enough.

T - nice chocolate and smokey coffee overtones with hints of raspberry currant. I've not had the chance to enjoy many chocolate stouts but there is more chocolate in this one than any of the others I've had. #justright

M - I tend to judge mouthfeel "through the head" and this was terrific! Thick and frothy up front but smooth and silky going down. #awesome

O - by the time I polished this off I had a nice buzz on! High ABV is masked so well I was able to down this bomber in no time. This is a fine offering from Heavy Seas. Very drinkable with tons of flavor. Not overly complex, but no slouch ether. Cheers [ii]D

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 00:22:16 | More by HarryPotHead

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.24/5  rDev +2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

appearance: very dark brown. Ruby highlights show up when the glass is put to direct light.Light mocha head and sparse lacing.
smell: wow, chocolate to be sure, but a lot more happening. The added vanilla beans make a nice showing. As the HS site says, the Mt. Hood hops give it a fruity addition.
taste: All the tastes the nose has. Not quite the wow factor but quite good.
mouthfeel: just a bit thin for an imp stout.
overall: As a whole this is an exceptional brew.

Serving type: bottle

02-10-2013 23:06:30 | More by cindyjeffsmith

CloudStrife

New York

4.23/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

12oz bottle poured into a snifter. 2013

A: Pours into the glass appearing black with a 1.5 finger light khaki head. Leaves some thick lacing. Light gets through about 1/8".

S: Dark fruits seem to dominate the aroma. Some vanilla from the barrel. Does have metallic qualities to it. Of course there is bourbon, dont worry :-) Does have a nice sweet character of vanilla as it warms then when swirled more of the dark fruit comes out.

T: Very balanced and mellow brew considering the flavor profile. It doesnt overpower you but still has strong bourbon, chocolate, oak and vanilla. Dark fruits get through as well. Alcohol comes through on the backend.

M: Very smooth velvety mouthfeel. Really creamy and pleasant to sip on. Certainly a warming beer but overall not too hot.

Overall another great barrel aged brew from Heavy Seas. These guys know how to do it right, this may be one of the more mild variants but still a very enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 01:53:11 | More by CloudStrife

rudzud

Massachusetts

4.19/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4.25

Received as an extra in a trade. Poured into my Duvel tulip.

A - Pours a nice deep dark brown almost black with a nice one finger mocha head that fades to leave a light blanket and thin halo.

S - Nice aromas of caramel, coffee, vanilla, chocolate, and faint bourbon. Alcohol is hidden nicely, light chocolate malt too.

T - Like the nose nice caramel and vanilla notes here. Good barrel as well. Bourbon is faint but clear and distinct. Well rounded chocolate as well, not too sweet. Very tasty.

M - A bit on the thinner side. Only weakness of this beer is the lack of a full, thick, chewy mouthfeel.

O - Overall though this is a damn fine barrel aged stout. I've seen this on the shelves locally and at $9 or so bucks for the bomber its a damn good purchase. Very well executed.

Serving type: bottle

03-21-2013 16:28:32 | More by rudzud

schoolboy

Ohio

4.19/5  rDev +1.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25

This came highly recommended by Sammi at Saveon. It lives up to the expectation - a beer that is like an aperitif. This beer has a lot of good going on.

It opens with a bit of aroma and a dark color that yields not enough head. It sits there though and continues to produce a few very fine bubbles.

The taste is immediately big. It is sweet and very chocolaty. Under that is a bunch of bitter too, so it is like dark chocolate.

The aftertaste is very pleasant. Again, sweet chocolate is up front. The boozy taste comes a little after, but it is extremely well disguised.

I would consider this again, but it is pretty darn sweet.

Serving type: bottle

03-29-2013 23:22:10 | More by schoolboy

vandemonian

Maryland

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Siren Noire on Buffalo trace barrels is an imperial chocolate stout that smells fantastic and tastes pretty good.

A: Black colour and head that fades to crappy lacing. 3.5

S: Chocolate deliciousness. 5

T: Liquor and chocolate into slightly muddy aftertaste. 4

M: A little thin. 4

O: Overal, yum. The smell was the best bit. 4

Serving type: cask

08-24-2011 02:54:32 | More by vandemonian

larryi86

Delaware

4.18/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

22 oz bottle, 2013, poured into a tulip

A- Black with a two finger light khaki head.

S- Chocolate, bourbon, vanilla, roasted malts.

T- Follows the nose and even a little better. Bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, some roasted coffee, some oak, good balance not too sweet or too hot.

M- Smooth, medium body, kind of creamy.

O- At under $9 a bottle this is worth picking up. A good amount of bourbon, but can be slightly harsh at times.

Serving type: bottle

02-16-2013 04:01:57 | More by larryi86

lordofthewiens

Maine

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

In a tulip glass this beer was a black color with a minimal amount of hesd. There were specks of lace.

Mostly a roasted malt aroma. A lot of coffee. Some dark fruit.

Nice taste. Coffee and chocolate. Raisin. A little vanilla.

Very smooth and drinkable. You can't detect the alcohol.

Nice beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2013 23:02:24 | More by lordofthewiens

ChainGangGuy

Georgia

4.15/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

11 ounce pour - Taco Mac in East Roswell, Georgia.

Appearance: Served up a near black body with a lasting half-inch of tan-hued foam.

Smell: Presents a nice scent of chocolate milk atop well-behaved roasted notes (and some underlying charry toast). Slight fruit hints. Decent bourbon barrel character adding to the festivities.

Taste: Dark, roasty malts presents a taste of black coffee dosed with a dollop of rich, melted semi-sweet chocolates and cocoa powder. Medium sweetness overall. A fruitiness, hinting at raspberry, slips in with a small sip of prune juice. The roastiness receives a noted bump midway and joins in with slight bitterness. Hint of alcohol warmth, then it’s off to the semi-dry, halfway chocolaty, halfway roasty finish, with that small dark fruitiness lingering into the aftertaste.

Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied. Medium-carbonation.

Overall: Fairly nice. I thought Siren Noire was one of their better beers, so, giving it a bourbon barrel edge to it was a welcome addition.

Serving type: on-tap

02-23-2013 17:34:13 | More by ChainGangGuy

CManuel

Colorado

4.14/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours a deep black with a minimal head, some ruby highlights present. Aroma is strong bourbon, chocolate and vanilla. Chocolate is the most present flavor to me, followed by bourbon and vanilla notes. Not a bad beer at all. It's not really all that complex, and I admire it for that. Solid!

Serving type: bottle

02-22-2013 02:47:34 | More by CManuel

inlimbo77

Delaware

4.14/5  rDev +0.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz, 2013 vintage
The Bruery tulip

A: Pours pitch black in color. Only about a collar of head, light tan head. Thought I would see more carbonation as it's not that high in ABV. Some alcohol feet. No lacing bits. Still a pretty beer for the style.

S: Nice nose on this one. Caramel and vanilla. Chocolate notes. Touch of coffee. Really getting in there some tobacco notes as well. Predominately chocolate forward as you would expect.

T: Dark chocolate bitterness on the tip of the tongue. Then you get that nice meshing with the barrel character, adding some vanilla and caramel/toffee flavors into the fold. Turns it into almost a chocolate cake like flavor. Nice long finish here. Don't taste the booze, but you start to feel it during the sip.

M: Full bodied. Almost creamy and thinner than I planned.

For the $7.99 bomber price in my area, you can't beat a BA stout for that. Especially with these flavors. Good stuff.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 14:15:39 | More by inlimbo77

ericlawton007

Connecticut

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Pours dark black, small amount of tan head. After letting it warm for 15 or so minutes, chocolate was the dominate aroma. I know its weird, but I actually didnt want to stop smelling this beer as other notes were really trying to break out. You could smell the alcohol after a while, with slight vanilla presence. Alcohol was fairly well hidden and the taste was once again mostly chocolate. Bourbon barrel presence is light, but still there, and I would say that this is more complex than the regular Siren Noire. Probably wont have any more this year, but will buy one to see how it does after a year. Even if there is no change, this is still an enjoyable beer.

Serving type: bottle

01-26-2013 02:26:12 | More by ericlawton007

oberon

North Carolina

4.13/5  rDev 0%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Poured nearly jet black except for a tinge reddish brown at the bottom of the glass when held to the light,a thin deep tan head atop.Chocolate stands out most in the nose along with dark roast coffee,the bourbon is much more low key and is not ove rbearing like way to many barrel aged stouts.Smooth with light carbonation in the mouth,it's way to easy and smooth going down.Chocolate and dark roast coffee start out the flavor profile,a nice drying earthiness stands out as well,the bourbon again is only one component that stands out instead of a dominating flavor presence.This is a nice barrel aged imperial stout,smooth and just enough flavor,nice job.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 22:28:03 | More by oberon

DrDemento456

Pennsylvania

4.11/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75

Very glad to pick this up for just 9 bucks at the giant eagle on RT 8. ALSO my 1,600th review!

A - Head has now a thick lace ring but I did get a solid inch of deep mocha head upon pouring Color is a pitch black brown with no light even escaping at the base of my pub glass.
S - I could tell the bourbon aging has greatly crippled the intense chocolate smells of the base of the beer but the bourbon is faint which is appreciated since these guys can somewhat overdo the bourbon aspect. Caramel and toffee sweetness with a distinct vanilla character is noted along side of just faint cocoa nibs.
T - Just enough barrel to make an impact and it really does cut the edge of the fudgey chocolate sweetness the base beer had. Not sure if I liked this better but it's balanced enough to taste oak, vanilla, and some caramel flavors from the barrel. Has enough roast to keep it in balance, A pretty tasty stout.
M - Has a medium to heavy body not too bozzy to inhibit sipping so this is a very easy going stout.

Overall I do love a good balanced beer and appreciate the work that went into this but I think I prefer the sweeter chocolate imperial stout base beer for intense cocoa nib flavor.

Serving type: bottle

04-16-2013 03:57:44 | More by DrDemento456

thecheapies

Pennsylvania

4.1/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2013 Siren Noire. Poured into snifters.

Pours black with no other color. The head formed about 1/3". Foam is dark tan in color. Sputtered away in less than a minute. Looked nice coming out of the bottle.

Dark chocolate notes are liquory and semi-sweet. A sweeter bourbon note penetrates right after. Light corn whiskey with hints of butterscotch. Malts are pretty roasty, but I'm not picking up on any real imposing bitterness or char just yet. Light coffee aromas, too.

In the taste, the cocoa is sweeter and decadent and the whiskey is drier and woodier. A lot of oak pouring through on the palate with dark chocolate bar, vanilla extract, and roast bitterness. The char is here, too, and implies a very light smokiness just beneath the surface. Slight surge of alcohol spice emerges, and then falls gently. It's a humble reminder that I'm drinking a big stout. In the vain of bourbon barrel-aged stouts, it's a tad attenuated. Still very delicious with milky notes that an imperial milk stout would reveal. Not super complex, but the subtleness and lightly smoky quality of the whiskey impresses. A semi-woody and very "black chocolate" imperial stout without the staunchness of dark grain or breadiness or estery fruits. Just a dose of warming oomph, decadent chocolate, light bourbon, vanilla, and sweeter American oakiness.

Drinks nearly full-bodied with some spicy afterburn accentuated by a medium sudsy carbonation. Certaintly, well-contained in strength, seemingly.

Not knock-out good, but damn fine in its own right. Probably the best beer I've tasted from Heavy Seas. I'm snagging another bottle upon next opportunity.

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2013 04:43:48 | More by thecheapies

Stinkypuss

Pennsylvania

4.04/5  rDev -2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

Heavy Seas : Bourbon Barrel aged Siren Noire Chocolate Stout

LOOK: Pours a oil slick black with a dark brown cap. Appears like an imperial stout with some strength and deeply roasted malt behind it.

SMELL: Opens up softly with chocolate and oak induced vanilla. A bit of smoke comes out as well as some dry wood.

TASTE: Roasted malts and some cocoa upfront. Oaky with a pleasant mild smokey bourbon. Cocoa and char, bittersweet flavor with a barrel aged dryness. Hops are faint and earthy. diggin the finish of oak, bourbon, coffee, vanilla and of course chocolates. Pretty decent!

FEEL: Medium bodied, well carbonated, oaky and semi-dry. Not a bad feel but surprisingly light, given the strength.

OVERALL: I dug this beer. I kind of figured I would because who doesn't like imperial stouts, bourbon and chocolate? I would have this again sometime, along with a chocolate dessert.

Serving type: bottle

05-14-2013 23:35:52 | More by Stinkypuss

EgadBananas

Louisiana

4.03/5  rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4

Near black pour, tan head of a finger. Nice lace.

Heavy chocolate aroma with roast, light coffee, distant vanilla and bourbon.

Taste was heavy on the chocolate to. Distant as well of the barrel notes, and a nice roasted woody flavor.

Felt nice and creamy, full bodied.

Not heavy on the bourbon barrel, but its definitely a nice chocolate stout.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 12:36:42 | More by EgadBananas

davey101

Connecticut

4/5  rDev -3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

2013 batch. 22 oz bomber purchased for an extremely reasonable $5.49. Poured into a DFH signature glass.

A - Pours a deep dark black body with three fingers worth of dense light tan foam. Fades away gradually but leaves behind excellent lacing with some seriously long retention. Looks great!

S - Milk chocolate, vanilla, and cocoa powder. Not getting any bourbon notes but it does smell like a nice chocolate stout.

T - Smooth milk chocolate, slightly robust malts, and a lingering sweet vanilla. Like the nose this has little to no bourbon presence...really just a faint nod towards oak on the finish. It is quite tasty though.

M - Light to medium bodied, just a tad below being creamy. Carbonation is about spot on.

O - "...aged in bourbon barrels" is the killer here. I'm getting so little bourbon presence that I'd swear its just the base beer. However this is a damn tasty and affordable stout albeit its a bit on the thin side.

Serving type: bottle

03-07-2013 23:20:20 | More by davey101

Bung

North Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

22oz. Your essentially black pour, thin layer of light tan head. Retained quite well.

Aroma, very large chocolate, descent roast malt. Some caramel and peat. Lighter anise and coffee.

Taste, Milk like chocolate, caramel and a nice bourbon barrel present up front. Some peat and heat. Light near burnt toffee, lighter coffee.

The carb is just a little high on this medium bodied stout. Also a little heat, but not overly so. A nice sipper. Worth trying.

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 02:38:10 | More by Bung

Chrysostom

Ohio

3.94/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4

As always, I review (mostly) to style (ala BJCP), modified (a bit, not too much) by personal taste (contra BJCP), or else certain beers, which are excellent exemplars of styles I do not prefer, would receive consistently lower marks than beers which are poor exemplars of my favourite styles.

I know nothing about the company that brewed this. I've never heard of them before. I know nothing about the beer. I thought it was a stout, didn't know it was chocolate.

As always, this beer is reviewed live, and not from notes.

Without further ado, a review.

Presentation: 22 fl oz crown capped bottle, vintage 2013, poured in to a Samuel Adams' nonic imperial pint glass with some tulip characteristics. Price was something like $8 or $9, the bottle didn't have a label on it (I got it straight from a case after a beer tasting). Poured at 45ºF. I got distracted: it's at least 60ºF now that I'm drinking it and reviewing it.

A: Pitch black engine oil without even the hint of highlights. Dark even for an Imperial Stout. Three-finger head, fluffy and slightly rocky, which recedes pretty slowly to leave a cap upon the face of the beer, leaving a trail of thick, heavy lacing in its wake (not as much as Young's Double Chocolate, but lots of lace nevertheless).

S: Roast coffee beans, chocolate and vanilla, some alcohol and bourbon, which gives some odd dark-fruit smells which are weirdly reminiscent of a Trappist or Belgian Strong Dark. The bourbon, chocolate, and roast aromas pull together well, and achieve a very nice balance. Good smell for the Imperial Chocolate Stout style, a bit sweet-smelling for Imperial Stout.

T: Heavy roasted flavours, quite sweet, with a notable note of powdered bitter baker's chocolate/cocoa (which is definitely present, especially on the finish, but not overpowering, like the chocolate is in Rogue's Chocolate and Double Chocolate stouts). This still savours of beer, and not of alcoholic chocolate drink like Rogue's beverages. As the beer achieves room temperature, the is a very noticeable but subdued flavour of bourbon present from front-palate to the finish. Strong malt backbone, some bitter roasted and hop character is asserted in the finish along with the baker's chocolate. No alcohol, or very little alcohol, is present upon the palate.

M: Medium-bodied, which is surprising. It pours, tastes, and smells thicker than it is. Low carbonation, which, again, is surprising, given the large head on my initial pour. Quite creamy, as is to be expected from a low-carbonation imperial stout.

D: Low, for me. Too sweet and chocolaty.

O: A good beer which is an excellent example of the Imperial Chocolate Stout. If you like Chocolate Stouts, try this - you'll think of it more highly than I did. It's still good, but, as mentioned above, too sweet for my tastes - I'm not a fan of beers brewed with chocolate/coffee (I absolutely refuse to drink coffee, ever, in any situation, like a twelve-stepper avoids alcohol, and don't eat chocolate outside of Reese Peanut Butter Cup candies) - but some are. If you are, you're in for a treat.

To Imperial Stout style: 72/100

To Imperial Chocolate Stout style: 96/100

To taste: 59/100.

Serving type: bottle

03-28-2013 08:01:38 | More by Chrysostom