Bourbon-aged Jolly Roger Imperial Stout
Otto's Pub and Brewery

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From:
Otto's Pub and Brewery
 
Pennsylvania, United States
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
9.2%
Score:
92
Avg:
4.23 | pDev: 9.46%
Reviews:
10
Ratings:
21
Status:
Active
Rated:
Dec 09, 2017
Added:
Sep 06, 2006
Wants:
  8
Gots:
  1
Jolly Roger himself blessed this big stout. This massive stout has a huge roasted maltiness with complex smokey chocolate flavors coming through strong thanks to the gentle hand pump and correct cellar temperature. Aged in Bourbon barrels!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by EMV:
Photo of EMV
Reviewed by EMV from Pennsylvania

3.89/5  rDev -8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 3.75
On hand pump at Otto's Brewery in State College, PA - tulip glass. 2015 version

L: Pours inky black with a thick tannish head... slow to fall. No light is getting through this one.

S: Roasted malts, chocolate and a hint of sweetness, the bourbon was present but faint.

T: The imperial stout dominates, roasted malts and chocolate with a hint of molasses. Not terribly boozy, especially for a bourbon aged beer.

F: Creamy and thick, negligible carbonation, and smooth as you'd expect from a hand pump.

O: As much as I love the Jolly Roger stout... something was a bit off with this brew. I was underwhelmed with the Bourbon, which was only faintly present and it just doesn't stack up to some of the other bourbon aged beers I've had. I did enjoy this one... but it's middle of the pack for a bourbon aged imperial stout.
Apr 13, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.27 by tdm168 from Pennsylvania

Dec 09, 2017
 
Rated: 3.58 by barflybastard from Pennsylvania

Sep 16, 2015
 
Rated: 4.02 by orangesol from Pennsylvania

Apr 05, 2015
 
Rated: 4.25 by jwat from Pennsylvania

Mar 17, 2015
 
Rated: 3.75 by JKWBMH from Pennsylvania

Feb 22, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by pcsnyder from Pennsylvania

May 09, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by JimmytheSaintPSU from Pennsylvania

Aug 21, 2012
 
Rated: 5 by Vpr5002 from Maryland

Mar 27, 2012
 
Rated: 3.75 by augie from Pennsylvania

Mar 23, 2012
 
Rated: 4.75 by John4Beer

Mar 16, 2012
 
Rated: 4 by ygtbsm94 from Utah

Jan 29, 2012
Photo of russwbeck
Reviewed by russwbeck from Virginia

4.56/5  rDev +7.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
A: Pours from the hand pump moto oil black underneath a thick and creamy chocolate brown head. The head is literally like whipped cream, lasts forever and laces wonderfully. I later found the beer was poured with a sparkler to influence a better head. 5

S: Regular Jolly Roger was pretty sweet, this follows that on the smell. Whiskey bourbon, chocolate, sweet molasses. Not a lot of roastiness, but the balance seems to be sublime. However, the smell is a bit muted 4

T: Creamy melted chocolate followed by slight bourbon and only a touch of alcohol. Slight roasty finish, but the bourbon really compliments to end of the taste nicely. Not intrusive, the bourbon only added to an already phenomenal beer 4.5

MF: The creaminess of this beer is out of this world. Heavy body, low carbonation, insanely drinkable. I couldn't put it down 5

O: Phenomenal. I waited and drove a long time for this and was not disappointed. Best beer Otto's has to offer. 5
Dec 12, 2011
Photo of Darkmagus82
Reviewed by Darkmagus82 from Texas

4.45/5  rDev +5.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
12 oz On-tap in a tulip shaped glass

My first review although a long time experimenter/taster.

Appearance- a nice brown deep brown color. The beer clung to the side of the glass while swirled.

Smell- delicious Bourbon barrel aged aroma. A little bit of fruitiness (although can't pinpoint exact fruit) and a sweet aroma of chocolate.

Taste- A bit lighter then would be expected for a 10 % abv, but very flavorful none the less. The barrel flavor is overwhelming, but welcoming, with a nice afterglow of other more standard stout flavor.

Mouthfeel- good but a bit lighter then would be expected/anticipated.

Overall - This was was very enjoyable brew to drink. Would recommend to anyone who likes a good imperial stout and will definitely experience again.
Dec 07, 2011
Photo of CoolJosh
Reviewed by CoolJosh from Pennsylvania

4.43/5  rDev +4.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This beer is incredible. The fact that it's right down the street, well that makes it even better! I'm a huge fan of Otto's Jolly Roger Stout, and I love a good bourbon barrel aged beer so I can't wait to see how this one is. From the first time I drank Jolly Roger to now, it has aged tremendously well. I'm expecting this to show in this version!

The look on this is top notch for a stout. Poured from the hand pump into a snifter. This beer is pitch black in body with a beautiful creamy 2 finger dark khaki head that sticks around to the finish. In one word, beautiful.

The smell on this is up there with some of the best I have had. Incredible chocolate, caramel, and toffee scents. The dark fruit scents seem to have taken a b-line to the door to make way for the massive amount of bourbon that comes through. There is a nice peated scent as well. If I'm not mistaken, Charlie the brewer claimed to have used a small amount of peated malts in this years batch, and it is showing through well.

The taste is in unison with the scent. This beer is like chocolate milk for adults. Utterly creamy with the consistency of half-n-half. The bourbon tastes come out in full force and really dominate this beer in the best way possible. Some nice chocolate roasts and toffee play well as secondary flavors. There is a beautiful vanilla flavor that was extracted perfectly from the oak barrels in addition to some dark fruit flavors. All in all, I wish that they would bottle this. I would buy a couple of cases.
Sep 04, 2009
Photo of brentk56
Reviewed by brentk56 from North Carolina

3.7/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Arrives at the bar with a black color and a modest head that leaves some lace

Smell: All of the scents associated with bourbon are present and overwhelm the stout elements to some extent

Taste: After a quick nod to the dark chocolate/coffee/fruit, the vanilla and boozy bourbon take over

Mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy, with low carbonation and a bit of warmth

Drinkability: Not as well-balanced as other bourbon barrel aged stouts, this one (brewed in 2008, according to the board) may need some more time to settle down
May 02, 2009
Photo of akorsak
Reviewed by akorsak from Pennsylvania

4.08/5  rDev -3.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
A 10 oz. oversized snifter served via cask at the brewpub.

A: The ale is a midnight black color, mysterious and murky. Resting atop the black hole is a brown leather colored head that measures almost a finger and a half in this wide-mouth glass. As the ale is consumed, the head layers in strata.

S: The nose is sweet bourbon, vanilla and pepper mixing with alcohol. The result overtakes the stout elements at first, relaxing only as it warms. The imperial stout side of the beer adds a roasted chocolate flavor that compliements the bourbon sweetness. The aroma seems a little too heavy at times.

T: Boozy sweetness starts things off right. Vanilla and oak mix with the chocolate elements of the stout. Caramel malts become a little more evident following the barrel. The cask has added a creamy texture but doesn't push things too far as some cask offerings can do. Boozy warmth is here but not overwhelming. The finish has a cocoa and milk chocolate depth.

M: The stout is strong but not a complete bourbonfest. The stout retains much of its character as it melds with the bourbon. The aroma that seems a little strong in the nose is spot on in the taste.

D: I'm glad that I got to try this beer. It's not the best bourbon barrel that I've come across but it's definitely on the right side of the bell curve.
Mar 03, 2009
Photo of treyrab
Reviewed by treyrab from California

4.78/5  rDev +13%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5
It's been a long wait, but the new Jolly Roger Imperial Stout - Barrel Aged just went on cask tonight. Great!

A: Pours a gorgeous dark black with a phenomenal dark mocha. This beer looks so delicately creamy, like a dark chocolate milk shake. The head lasts the entire time and is the creamiest head I have ever seen.

S: Wow, just like the regular Jolly Roger, but with a dash of bourbon tossed in. Smells like a milk chocolate milk shake with thick, complex bourbon and caramel notes. Also smells of dry cocoa and caramel.

T: The smoothest, creamiest cask beer I have ever had. Great milk chocolate and creamy Hershey hot chocolate with sweet caramel and warm bourbon. Very complex, but all the flavors come out immaculately.

Overall, this is a superb beer all around. The bourbon notes add a great aspect to the regular Jolly Roger.
Feb 24, 2009
Photo of Deuane
Reviewed by Deuane from Pennsylvania

4.47/5  rDev +5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
On cask into a snifter at the brewpub.

A - Deep, dark black with ruby edge highlights. Head forms a thick tan head. The head lasted the entire glass with stong lacing.

S - Very pungent mix of caramel, vanilla, roasty malt and of course bourbon! Very lovely to inhale.

T - Lots of sweetness with vanilla and bourbon balanced out nicely with astringency of oak and roasted malt. Slight alcohol warming noticed. This is certainly a sipping beer....not to be used playing beer pong!

M - . Very thick and viscous. Very full and rich feel. A beer to sit with, inhale, quaff slowly, let sit on the tounge and then finally swallow.

D - A beer to enjoy over the long run....one for a fireside session. Very enjoyable and well done bourbon imperial stout. Well done!
Nov 25, 2007
Photo of burnstar
Reviewed by burnstar from Pennsylvania

4.33/5  rDev +2.4%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
On the beer engine into snifter. Opaque black with a nice tan head that leaves some excellent lacing on the glass. Smell is roasted malt with notes of oak and vanilla. Taste is quite sweet roasted malt, bourbon notes, dark fruit, vanilla, and a touch of coffee. Mouthfeel is thick and creamy, lightly carbonated. Some alcohol is noticable. Overall, very nice stuff.
Sep 19, 2006
Bourbon-aged Jolly Roger Imperial Stout from Otto's Pub and Brewery
Beer rating: 92 out of 100 with 21 ratings