't Smisje Great Reserva
Brouwerij Smisje

't Smisje Great Reserva't Smisje Great Reserva
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From:
Brouwerij Smisje
 
Belgium
Style:
Belgian Dark Strong Ale
ABV:
10%
Score:
82
Avg:
3.54 | pDev: 14.41%
Reviews:
28
Ratings:
39
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Oct 28, 2019
Added:
Jan 03, 2009
Wants:
  0
Gots:
  2
Catherine the Great Imperial Stout aged in Cognac barrels.
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Ratings by RblWthACoz:
Photo of RblWthACoz
Reviewed by RblWthACoz from Pennsylvania

3.91/5  rDev +10.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Pours a cloudy dark brown with a big, frothy crème head. Nose is a tangerine or apricot kind of thing with the expected dark sugar tones. Flavor is oddly smoked, like a rauch. Kind of that meaty and bacon thing you get from the German styles. But there's also that Belgian ale character at the same time. Feel is full with carbonation. Liquid is typical. A nice hearty ale. Interesting and different types of character, but a good one to drink.
Mar 10, 2009
More User Ratings:
Photo of Sammy
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)

3.77/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
big cognac-like taste. Unbalanced, and boozy with so much cognac character. Lighter mouthfeel than could be. A bit of chocolate. Could have used more balance, but quaffable.
Oct 28, 2019
 
Rated: 2.75 by RochefortChris from North Carolina

Feb 26, 2017
 
Rated: 3 by brandoman63 from Illinois

Feb 01, 2016
 
Rated: 3.25 by rbrefbeerman from California

Nov 21, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by gpblackgt from Pennsylvania

Nov 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by GClarkage from California

Jul 03, 2014
Photo of Offa
Reviewed by Offa from California

2.96/5  rDev -16.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
My bottle said Smisje Great Reserva Catherine the Great and indicated that it was an imperial stout aged in Cognac barrels, 10% abv.

It was an ok beer, but simple and a bit one-dimensional, harsh & boozy.

Hazy dark brown, thin ring of bubbles - off-white.

Aroma was fermented caramelised dried figs and sherry, not really what I'd call an imperial stout aroma.

Taste was woody wine, vague hints of sherry and dried fig, quite boozy, a bit sweet and zesty, hint of caramelised grain in finish. It is a decent sipping beer, but not one I'd ever choose again, being one-dimensional and boozy.
Feb 17, 2014
Photo of stuppy
Reviewed by stuppy from Maryland

2.64/5  rDev -25.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Appearance: light brown, opaque, light tan head when poured, leaves small ring around glass,

Aroma: Dark fruits, oak, vanilla, some sour notes. Cognac/rum like qualities, alcohol

Flavor: Caramel, oak, strong vanilla, cognac, alcohol strong on finish

Mouthfeel: med heavy body, med carbonation,

Overall: Very barrel forward. Heavy cognac and lots of alcohol. Not very pleasant looking. Not a Stout as described on bottle, nor as a Belgian Dark Strong as listed on Beer Advocate. Will not have again. Bottle says "t' Smisje Catherine the Great Stout Man Cognac Barrels", google translate wasn't working properly the day they decide on label as I am not sure what that means.
Feb 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by weeare138 from Pennsylvania

Jan 01, 2014
 
Rated: 2.75 by Soto from North Carolina

Sep 07, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by WOLFGANG from South Carolina

Jul 03, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by WDJersey from Colorado

Mar 05, 2013
Photo of nUgZ
Reviewed by nUgZ from North Carolina

3.56/5  rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
11.2 ounce bottle poured into a snifter.

A: Pours a dark amber color with a half finger head and minimal lacing.

S: Sour fruits and cognac. Sour.

T: Lots of cognac, oak, vanilla, and some fruity flavors. Again, sour. Alcohol is evident.

M: Medium bodied with light carbonation.

O: This is not my style, but it's not all that bad. More barrel evidence than there is of the base beer though.
Jan 30, 2013
Photo of ColForbinBC
Reviewed by ColForbinBC from New Jersey

3.79/5  rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
11.2oz bottle poured into a snifter, split with Keanlacrosse

The body pours an ice tea color with a thin off white cap. Not much retention or lacing. The nose is of sticky caramel, candied granny smith apples, pear skins, oak tannins, and cognac. Light earth, leather, and tobacco poke through as it warms. On the palate, oak tannins, caramel, and candied tart apple skins hit first. Caramel, earth, leather, toffee, and tobacco notes come through before a finish that is sweet and tart. Alcohol warming is hugely present, making this an ideal sipper. Medium body with minimal carbonation. This is an enjoyable after dinner sipper. Complex flavors and aromas and just plain tasty.
Nov 10, 2012
Photo of popery
Reviewed by popery from California

3.2/5  rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
New batch, picked it up in August or so, I think. This beer pours a brownish amber. Though fairly hazy, it's still pretty easy to see through and looks lighter than expected. Very little head, just a ring of khaki bubbles after a few seconds. The aroma is heavy on the cognac in a rather indelicate manner. There's some nice sweetness and complexity in there, but it's behind a wave of vinous booze. Cocoa and Belgian earthiness are further in the background. Some caramel sweetness. The taste has similar faults. It's just a bit harsh. Fairly sweet, lots of wood, lots of cognac. Mouthfeel is heavy and a tad harsh, though fine, really. To be honest, it's started to grow on me, but I'm still not a big fan. I think they needed a lighter touch with the barrel-aging, but it might also just be a harsh base beer, to boot.
Oct 26, 2012
 
Rated: 3.5 by WynnO from Florida

Sep 08, 2012
Photo of corby112
Reviewed by corby112 from Pennsylvania

3.15/5  rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a dark chestnut brown color that's completely opaque with amber edges and a one finger off-white head that settles into a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lace left behind.

Boozy whiskey barrel aroma that slightly overpowers the characteristics of the base beer. Some dry oak, vanilla and toasted coconut along with a very prominent cognac/whiskey presence. Smells more like liquor than beer until it warms up considerably and the malt notes come forward.

Medium bodied with an explosion of hot, boozy whiskey that dominates the flavor, covering up almost everything from the base beer. All barrel character with dry oak, vanilla and a very strong cognac flavor. I like whiskey and the flavor is pretty good but it demolishes all of the other notes. It takes a while for the palate adjust and the other elements to come forward. Subtle hints of spicy rye, caramel and toffee. If you are a cognac/whiskey lover than you might enjoy it but it's very one dimensional and kind of boring.
Aug 09, 2012
Photo of brystmar
Reviewed by brystmar from Texas

2.33/5  rDev -34.2%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Stubby old bottle thanks to blatantdream.

Good appearance: sticky lace above a brown body, solid retention on the head. Aroma started off unpleasant but intensified as it warmed to become offensively bad. Rotten barrels, burnt smokey wood, ok I'm gonna stop smelling it for components because it's AWFUL.

Taste follows suit, unfortunately. Spoiled malts, disgusting barrel character. That's enough; drain pour incoming. Avoid.
Aug 03, 2012
Photo of feloniousmonk
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota

4.32/5  rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
't Smisje Catherine the Great Imperial Stout Man Cognac Barrels. (Wait, that doesn't make sense.)

't Smisje Great Reserva, brewed & bottled by Smisje, Oudenaarde, Belgium. No other information. Except, 10% Alc/Vol.

Well, let's find out what it is by drinking it, shall we?

Dark brown body, small, cocoa-tinged head on top, slims down to a tight ring.

Aroma: Ooooh! Aaaah! That's whiskey-up, people! Deep, dark, dank, rich, ridiculous! Maple, licorice, molasses, vanilla, and the darkest chocolate. Incredibly indulgent. Bourbon and brandy are running rampant here. Whoa.

Taste: Pow! Alcohol is not hiding, fairly prominent, practically biggish. Getting bigger, rising higher, getting stronger. Full-bodied, but not quite as full as I'd like to keep up with every other big thing in this beer. Large amount of sweetness here, terrific bourbon-y flavor.

What's the base beer? I can't say, but it's not evident, doesn't show, it's pretty much covered by the barrel-aging. Not that I care too much, it's terrifically tasty. Oh, it's just damned delicious.
Jun 25, 2012
't Smisje Great Reserva from Brouwerij Smisje
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 39 ratings