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

Thorpe429

Illinois

3.68/5  rDev -10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

On cask at Churchkey yesterday as part of their Heavy Seas event for DC Beer Week. Served in a snifter.

Poured a midnight black with a thin light mocha head and a nice collar throughout.

The nose brought a mild dosing of bourbon along with loads of chocolate. Bordering on Hershey syrup, though restrained by the bourbon and a bit of roast. The flavor was a letdown from there, as the bourbon didn't really come through at all. Instead, this was plenty of chocolate syrup and a touch of roasted malt. The mouthfeel made things better, with a smooth chocolate character and a bit of bourbon heat in the background. Slightly-dry finish after a full body.

Pretty well done. Something I'd certainly drink again.

Serving type: cask

08-17-2011 14:10:27 | More by Thorpe429

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

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

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

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

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

DavoleBomb

Ohio

3.89/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75

Poured inot a perfect pint. $7.99 for a bourbon barrel aged brew is one hell of a deal, especially given the $10 non-barrel stout I had a few hours ago. 2013 vintage.

3.5 A: Black color. One and a half fingers of frothy/creamy light brown head. Retention is about average for the ABV and a moderate amount of lacing is left.

4.5 S: The bourbon isn't very strong in this one, but it's no problem. In fact, it's wonderful the way it is. Plentiful cocoa nibs and vanilla run the show. I'm really surprised at how much vanilla came out of the barrels. I read the bottle text to discover that no vanilla beans were used. There's a light leathery bourbon underneath which cannot be considered anything but complementary. Mild supple roastiness with a faint booziness, caramel, and coffee.

3.75 T: Taste is like the nose, but it isn't as vibrant. Still, it's a damn tasty beer. Chocolate and vanilla are out front again. Coffee, caramel, roast come next. Lightly boozy with leathery bourbon.

3.75 M: Heavier medium body. Good moderate caronation. Lightly creamy and supremely smooth.

3.75 D: Good beer that is cheap enough to buy many times.

Serving type: bottle

03-08-2013 03:06:09 | More by DavoleBomb

argock

Virginia

3.64/5  rDev -11.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 22 oz brown bomber into a clear glass snifter. 2013 printed on label. Purchased at Wine Warehouse (Charlottesville, VA) for $7.49.

A: Black with short 1/2-1 finger beige head with good height but average retention and pretty skimpy lacing.

S: Strong chocolate syrup aroma with a hint of bourbon and some fig/date fruitiness.

T: The flavor is not bad, but the chocolate flavor component is very strong and almost chemical-like in its intensity and character. The chocolate has a super-charged cocoa character but it lasts way too long and fades to a chalky finish. The dark malt fruitiness is balanced pretty well with the roast components. The bourbon barrel treatment is barely perceptible.

M: Pretty smooth except for the artificial chemical nature of the chocolate which lends a thinner quality to the body. The alcohol is definitely there but blends in pretty well. Medium body and the carbonation is on target.

O: A beer that is too chocolatey to the point of seemingly artificially bolstered. Maybe I am sensitive to this because my wife loved this beer. The base beer could use more character, and a touch more roast. All in all, not bad but sounds better than it is.

Serving type: bottle

03-12-2013 03:40:24 | More by argock

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

yourefragile

District of Columbia

3.7/5  rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

On cask at CK for Heavy Seas night.

Pours a watery black with a thin, bubbly mocha head. Aroma is highlight of the beer, a rich, unique blend of dark fruit, bourbon, chocolate syrup and light roast. Flavor is a lot less complex, throughout the body only chocolate syrup and light malt are present but the finish begins to dry out and have a subtle warming and lingering bourbon burn. Mouthfeel is light on carbonation, smooth and thick with some bourbon warmth. One of the better Heavy Seas treatments and they've somehow managed to salvage a base beer I typically deplore with a passion.

Serving type: cask

08-18-2011 20:49:07 | More by yourefragile

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

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

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

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

sinstaineddemon

Connecticut

3.8/5  rDev -8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75

A - dark like a stout should be and the pour wells up a thin light brown head that disappears quickly

S - chocolate is the first aroma to hit, a deeper inhalation reveals vanilla oakiness, some bourbon in the finish

T - exquisite chocolate, big milk chocolate flavors. The finish is a bit forced, a flash of bourbon around some lactic sourness and a smooth vanilla finish

M&D&O - smooth start and finish, with a harsh middle, overall a decent beer, but not among the best bourbon barrel aged stouts, its no KtG or Dark Lord, but it holds its own

Serving type: bottle

02-13-2013 23:20:04 | More by sinstaineddemon

jmarsh123

Indiana

3.85/5  rDev -6.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown/black with a small brown head fading quickly. Little to no lacing.

Big chocolate aroma with a little bit of vanilla creating a milk chocolate smell. A little oak and bourbon but it's in the background.

Big on chocolate flavor as well. Not a ton of roast in this one as it's on the sweeter side which is nicely balanced by the barrel. Not a ton of bourbon presence, but enough to cut the sweetness and add some good vanilla notes to the beer. Had a piece of Dove dark chocolate with this and it was the perfect pairing.

Medium bodied with low carbonation levels.

Pleasantly surprised by this. I prefer my barrel aged stouts to have a little more bourbon presence and the carbonation was a bit low even for the style. Despite those minor issues still a good beer and at only $8.49 for a bomber, a great price point as well.

Serving type: bottle

02-14-2013 19:04:34 | More by jmarsh123

russwbeck

Virginia

2.7/5  rDev -34.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On cask at Churchkey DC for #DCBW11

A: Black pour with a wispy bubbly white head. Not a lot of retention or lacing 3.5

S: Very light, the bourbon is certainly notable. Problem is that's all
I get. No roastiness or stout characteristics. Perhaps some vanilla 3

T: Follows the smell. Vanilla, bourbon..water. Not a lot going on 2

MF: Medium bodied, low carbonation. 3

O: Disappointed. Just not enough taste 2

Serving type: cask

08-18-2011 17:10:58 | More by russwbeck

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

rapidsequence

Virginia

3.63/5  rDev -12.1%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5

22 oz bottle from Ned's.

Appearance: Its black, but pours a little thin, and has some ruby highlughts. The head and lacing are decent.

Smell: Lots of rich chocolate aroma and bourbony vanilla notes. Very sweet, with minimal roasty aromas. No detectable alcohol-- none.

Taste: Again, lots of chocolate and vanilla. There is a bit more roasty flavor than smell with some coffee-like flavors and a touch of bitterness near the end, which actually identifies this as a stout instead of a melted hot fudge sundae.

Mouthfeel: Very soft and smooth, but a bit on the thin side. It could use a bit more carbonation too.

Overall: This is OK. Its a really sweet, chocolatey beverage, but its not much like a beer, and very little like an imperial stout. Less chocolate, more roast, more bourbon please.

Serving type: bottle

02-21-2013 02:13:15 | More by rapidsequence

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

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

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

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.81/5  rDev -7.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

22 oz bottle poured into a plastic cup. Yeah. Keep in mind I had this one JUST after sampling some BCBS.

A: Pours an ultra-dark brown color that isn't particularly thick looking. The head is a less-than-one finger khaki shade. Obviously the retention won't be particularly good, but it at least tries to leave nice lacing on the cup.

S: Whilst it's very good, it's not as gorgeously rich as I expected. There's some subtle chocolate, mocha, licorice, and vanilla. One has to REALLY concentrate to find the bourbon - but it's there...I suppose.

T: Quite sweet. I like the dark chocolate in the midtaste, before it becomes a combination of mocha and bittersweet vanilla. I didn't expect much depth, but there is a nice bit of subtle complexity to it.

M: This seems a bit thin to me. The aftertaste is a little less sweet than I expected (but, it's still dessert in a glass) and almost comes off like an imperial porter due to the lack of creamy and roasty qualities. It's carbonated finely.

O: It's a damn shame this had to follow BCBS, because this is still quite good as a dessert beer. I'd compare it favorably to Ballast Point's Victory at Sea - a sweet, vanilla-and-chocolate laden offering that fits the cold, nasty Maryland day to a tee. It could have really used more bourbon presence, though.

Serving type: bottle

02-23-2013 20:04:13 | More by ThisWangsChung

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

deadonhisfeet

Kentucky

3.78/5  rDev -8.5%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

2013 vintage. Poured from a bottle into a Founders snifter. The pour is very dark, not too viscous, has low carbonation, and produces a thin tan head. The nose is quite faint. I get some chocolate, some roasty notes, and a bit of vanilla.

The beer has a full body and the flavor is nicely balanced between sweet and roasty, though the feel is a bit thin. Flavors of brown bread and toffee up front with hints of baker's chocolate. Drinks like a nice porter. Creamy, nutty, and vanilla-like at mid-palate with some distinct alcohols arriving at the finish along with some oak, molasses, and sarsaparilla. Goes down sweet, smooth, woody, and warming. Easy drinking and not overly complex. The flavors here all seem to work well together. Nothing clashes.

I tried this beer at a beer tasting recently and decided to pick up a bottle and spend a bit more time with it. I'm glad I did, though I'm not as fond of it as I remember being at the tasting. Still, an enjoyable beer on an unseasonably cold spring afternoon. Good value at under $9 per bomber.

Serving type: bottle

03-24-2013 18:32:56 | More by deadonhisfeet