Black Butte³
Deschutes Brewery

Black Butte³Black Butte³
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From:
Deschutes Brewery
 
Oregon, United States
Style:
Imperial Porter
Ranked #17
ABV:
15.1%
Score:
96
Ranked #1,056
Avg:
4.41 | pDev: 7.48%
Reviews:
14
Ratings:
45
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jul 16, 2023
Added:
Sep 25, 2015
Wants:
  26
Gots:
  21
A delicious equation of Deschutes Imperial Black Butte Porter aged in Black Butte Porter Whiskey casks from Bendistillery. The result is a tantalizing libation of bourbon, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, oak that is set upon a slightly smoky, roasted finish. Black Butte³ is 90% oak aged so be prepared for an aggressive beer that should age gracefully.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by uwmgdman:
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Rated by uwmgdman from Wisconsin

4.65/5  rDev +5.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75

Nov 08, 2015
More User Ratings:
 
Rated: 4.43 by arini10 from Oregon

Jul 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4 by rare_bird from Michigan

Jun 25, 2023
 
Rated: 4.31 by fthegiants from California

May 18, 2023
 
Rated: 4.52 by KAP1356 from Pennsylvania

Oct 02, 2022
Photo of Bitterbill
Reviewed by Bitterbill from Wyoming

4.59/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Bottled June 11th 2020. Bought at Liquor Shed in Casper.

Pours a really dark brown or...light black. Take your pick. Not much foam but what's there seems to be long lasting. For so little foam, the lacing is not shabby.

The smell is cocoa, big surprise, chocolate, and a huge nose from the whiskey. Whew. Vanilla seems to always come through for these big, barrel aged beers.

Cocoa taste with a little milder taste of the whiskey than I got in the smell. A hint or 2 of smoke, charred is perhaps a better descriptor. Kind of sweet but definitely not overly. Vanilla, some heat from the alcohol but I wouldn't call it a burn.

Close to full bodied, this is one very impressive sipper. I imagine that when it was fresh, it would not be as smooth as it is. Oh, I forgot to mention that it is smooth? Yeah it is. Relatively speaking.
I will revisit.
Sep 13, 2022
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Reviewed by REVZEB from Illinois

4.67/5  rDev +5.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.75
Midnight coal black body with a finger of light brown foam and spotted lacing. Barrel bonds so well with the base porter in all aspects. In the nose the bourbon enhances roasty chocolate, vanilla, dark fruits and caramel most. Where in the taste the robust earthiness, molasses, wood and faint dark roasted coffee lead more with the dark chocolate. Super complex for a porter. While warm the barrel doesn't dominate the body either which can be a danger, more classical feeling by letting the non-sweet elements and rugged roast shine, all the while being very drinkable, a must for the style.
Aug 08, 2022
 
Rated: 4.5 by paulish from New York

Apr 07, 2022
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Reviewed by mschrei from Illinois

4.59/5  rDev +4.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Bottled 4/19/18. Pours dark with beige head and persistent lacing. Scents of chocolate, vanilla, wood barrel, and dark malt. Flavors of chocolate, vanilla, cherry, dark fruit, and bourbon barrel. Medium bodied, mildly boozy, smooth. Have had Black Butte a million times before, but this may be the best version I’ve had of it due to the subtlety.
Dec 18, 2021
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Reviewed by BBThunderbolt from Kiribati

3.62/5  rDev -17.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Thanks to Sharpski for this one. 16.9 oz bottle (dated 6/11/20) poured into 16oz tulip. Poured a nearly solid black color with 3/4 inch of than head that had moderate retention and lacing.

Lots of chocolate at the front of the nose, with a solid base brew as a foundation. A bit of whiskey and wood floated around the edges.

Pretty similar on the tongue, a nice blend of the various aspects. There was a touch of alcohol heat, but not unpleasantly so.

The body was, as expected, full, smooth, and had a sticky finish that was still on the dry side.

Drinkability was good, but it's a sipper for sure.

Overall, another very nice brew from Deschutes. Whichever year or variant you see, grab it.
Jul 04, 2021
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Reviewed by wpjporterman from Oregon

4.9/5  rDev +11.1%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
A must try! As a barrel aged porter you may expect serious alcohol burn. But this beer is nicely balanced. There's a subtle hint of roast and smoke that shines through.
Apr 25, 2021
 
Rated: 5 by Sir_Goatman from Oregon

Jul 05, 2019
 
Rated: 4.53 by spark3148857 from Ohio

Apr 25, 2019
 
Rated: 3.82 by BirdsandHops from Oregon

Dec 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4.85 by Kyle1234 from Oregon

Oct 21, 2018
Photo of StonedTrippin
Reviewed by StonedTrippin from Colorado

4.5/5  rDev +2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
so excited to have been able to get in on this one, a special version of an iconic beer, almost entirely barrel aged, and really incredible, at least as good as any of the others in the series that i have ever had, something quite a bit more mature and enormous, the barrel treatment here is exquisite, whiskey sure, but something different and special for sure, a richer seeming grain base to it, lots of char on the oak seems to call up the sweetness of the molasses in the base, and a nice smoke and vanilla complexion, earthy and sweet, just decadent and dreamy to me, near perfection in both aroma and flavor. subtle espresso, black cherry, raisin, maple syrup, a fresh pack of cigarettes, dark chocolate and cocoa, dr. pepper soda, toffee, vanilla bean, and wet dense oak. this is so smooth, it doesnt drink as strong as it is at all, and it never really finishes, just hangs around on the palate awhile, complex is an understatement, but its not about that, its about refinement, and these are rarely as dialed in as this, truly as good as it gets in the style. its sweet but there is also roasty bitterness to balance. lots of barrel. but also not so much that it corrupts the amazing base beer. i bet this will age well, but its drinking amazing right now. one of my favorite beers in this style i have had all year long. this really is what these guys do best!
Sep 30, 2018
 
Rated: 3.85 by curlybird from Pennsylvania

Sep 23, 2018
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Reviewed by rarigney from Washington

4.81/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
500ml bottled on 19 April 2018. This beer is clearly not retired.

Dark brown with a thick, creamy, persistent, tan head. The head recedes slowly to a stable ring and thin cap that leaves some nice lacing. The aroma is bourbon, vanilla, and oak. The taste follows the nose with a hint of chocolate and a wisp of smokiness on the finish. The high ABV is readily apparent with a good amount of heat in the mouth and throat.
Jul 24, 2018
 
Rated: 4.21 by Kurmaraja from California

Jun 28, 2018
 
Rated: 4.26 by Richter525 from Michigan

Nov 12, 2017
Black Butte³ from Deschutes Brewery
Beer rating: 96 out of 100 with 45 ratings