Narwhal
Imperial Stout
10.2% ABV
Appearance: Pours an opaque black with brown highlights. Over three fingers of bubbly and creamy tan foam with great retention.
Smell: Not a whole lot going on here. Light roasted coffee and dark chocolate. As the beer warms, it becomes slightly more aromatic, bringing out notes of dark fruit such as currant.
Taste: Baking chocolate, coffee, roasted malt, a medley of dark fruits (plums, raisins, currants). Finishes somewhat boozy with hints of black licorice and oak.
Mouthfeel: Medium bodied, somewhat of a lighter mouthfeel but still nice and creamy with the perfect amount of carbonation.
Overall, I really enjoyed this imperial stout from Sierra Nevada. This bottle was probably a good 9 months old and actually had some nice barrel-aged characteristics to it. Smooth, creamy, complex, and fairly balanced with solid but not overpowering heat from the alcohol. I do wish it were more aromatic but it more than makes up for it in the flavor department. The cold winter months are typically dubbed stout season but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a great stout under the summer sun. I'm looking forward to picking up more of this delicious black brew when it's released again this Fall.
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| 4.5 out of 5 |
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