Imperial Stout Highland Edition
Nøgne Ø

Imperial Stout Highland EditionImperial Stout Highland Edition
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From:
Nøgne Ø
 
Norway
Style:
Russian Imperial Stout
ABV:
9%
Score:
90
Avg:
4.09 | pDev: 10.02%
Reviews:
17
Ratings:
28
Status:
Retired
Rated:
Aug 07, 2019
Added:
Apr 17, 2010
Wants:
  13
Gots:
  5
Aged three months in fresh Highland Scotch Whisky barrels procured with help from Mikkeller and BrewDog.
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Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.08 by Ristaccia from Nebraska

Aug 07, 2019
 
Rated: 3.73 by YvesB from Belgium

Mar 26, 2017
 
Rated: 3.5 by GRG1313 from California

Jan 27, 2016
 
Rated: 3.75 by olradetbalder from Sweden

Nov 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by dgfair from North Carolina

Nov 26, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by Gonzoillini from Illinois

Aug 31, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by JAHMUR from Connecticut

Jan 23, 2013
 
Rated: 3.75 by westcoastbeerlvr from California

Jan 09, 2013
 
Rated: 4.5 by kevgod from Massachusetts

Jan 02, 2013
Photo of brokensail
Reviewed by brokensail from California

3.58/5  rDev -12.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Black in color with a thin layer of tan foam. Intense roasted malt and wood aromas. A decent amount of whiskey followed by heavy char. A hint of chocolate (dark chocolate, to be more precise). The flavor is quite similar to the aroma. Lots of roasted malt and whiskey with strong wood notes. There is a hint of booze and a bit of bitter dark chocolate.
Jul 05, 2012
Photo of silentjay
Reviewed by silentjay from Massachusetts

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Not sure of the vintage of this one, but I'm pretty sure its at least 2 years aged.

absolute jet black with a smallish dark, dark, mocha head that settles at 1cm in height, lacing very well.

definite peat smoke aroma from the scotch barrels, balanced with some deep roasted coffee and dark cacao.

starts off with some sweet chocolate, bitter cacao, charred malts, burnt coffee, with a drying and peppery peat smokiness coming in next. finishes charred and peppery. good balance between sweet/roasty/smoky/scotch flavors.

a bit on the lighter side of full-bodied with a creamy body and subtle, yet present carbonation.

Well, I definitely enjoy this sipper. I didn't have it fresh to compare, but I think the smoothness of this beer is due to the aging.
Apr 12, 2012
Photo of MICAMD
Reviewed by MICAMD from Maryland

3.31/5  rDev -19.1%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
A- Pours a pitch viscous black with a creamy brown head that settles to a thin covering and leaves nice lacing.

S- Slightly peaty scotch, dark chocolate, dark roasted coffee, and a light fruitness. Very deep and interesting.

T- Sweet dark chocolate, smoke, and some fruitiness. Acidic and kind of flat on the finish. Where is the scotch?

M- Acidic, flat, and dry. Surprisingly thin and boring.

O- Looks and smells pretty nice, but it kind of goes off the rails from there. I can see how many people could like this but it isn't my cup of tea.
Feb 04, 2012
 
Rated: 4.5 by klipper from Michigan

Dec 29, 2011
 
Rated: 4 by Seantronz3030 from Washington

Nov 17, 2011
Photo of MasterSki
Reviewed by MasterSki from Canada (ON)

4.37/5  rDev +6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
Bottle purchased at West Lakeview Liquors. Served in a Cigar City snifter.

A - A nice dark tan foam settles to a thick ring, some wispy patches, and a minimal amount of lace - good retention here. Body is pitch black, with a hint of angry red at the fringes.

S - Well, the Highland whisky is obvious, but thankfully it is well-integrated and doesn't obliterate the beer like the other scotch barrel-aged beers I've had. The scotch barrel imparts notes of smoke, chaw, jerky, oak, vanilla and perhaps the faintest touch of permanent marker. Being that, there is plenty of the base stout, with chocolate, fruity yeast, and that quintessential Scandinavian flavor.

T - Taste is similar, but with a bit of smoked meat, soy, and unami present, as well as some light char. Otherwise it's a large amount of roasted malt, semi-sweet chocolate, and perhaps a touch of dark fruit. There's some mild bitterness and whisky bite in the finish. I'm shocked by how well the base beer held up, as I've seen other, much stronger, beers disappear when put in scotch barrels.

M - Creamy, medium-full body, lower carbonation, light alcohol, and a oaky, dry, and tannic finish. Seems more substantial than the listed 9.5%, but not any more boozy.

D - This is very good, and I'll be very disappointed if Nøgne doesn't re-visit this recipe in the future. Hopefully West Lakeview has some bottles left because I think more of my friends need to try this beer. If you're a brewer and you're considering doing a scotch barrel beer you need to try this, as it's a great example of it done right.
Oct 28, 2011
Photo of jondeelee
Reviewed by jondeelee from Massachusetts

4.92/5  rDev +20.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5
The Highland Edition of this Imperial Stout opens with an intoxicating aroma that seems to pour out of the bottle, and is thick with both Imperial Stout notes (coffee, tobacco, chocolate malt) and quite un-subtle blasts of world-class whiskey. The combination of these aromas brings to mind bourbons and cognacs, as well as ports, and the presence of huge fruit esters such as fig and black cherry, combined with touches of vanilla and anise, make this one of the more deliciously-smelling beers I've opened in quite a while.

On the tongue, the beer opens with a black Imperial Stout blast that is almost unbelievably full of ash, tobacco, black coffee, black malt, and chocolate malt, the flavors so thick that they seem to coat the tongue and throat. Mixed in with these is the flavor of whiskey, though perhaps thankfully it is not quite as present here as it was in the nose. Instead, the whisky notes bring welcome vanilla and charcoal overtones to the stout, nicely complementing the overall beer. Strong hints of fig and black cherry are also present, and it says much that even though hops clock in at 75 IBUs, they're little noticed in the flavor profile, mostly coming in as a soft buzz on the palate. Some light alcohol vapors do tinge the edges and can be quite harsh if the beer is left to linger on the tongue for long enough. The aftertaste is almost exclusively chocolate and black malt ash, and lingers for a very long time. Mouthfeel is a silky and gloopy medium-heavy, and carbonation is medium-light.

Overall, this is a superb Imperial Stout, and I suspect would be so even without the whiskey barrel aging. But this latter process adds immense flavor and character to the beer, and the result is astounding and incredibly delicious. A must-try for Imperial Stout fans.
Sep 25, 2011
Photo of Beerenauslese
Reviewed by Beerenauslese from California

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
This bottle has been in my cellar a year.

Opened with a healthy pop. Poured into a Gouden Carolus chalice. Body is jet black. Poured to a half inch head, which is light brown and thickly foamy. Motile sudsy lacing doesn't stay on the glass long and heads back down into the brew. Head has decent retention, but dissipates to a ring halfway through the glass.

Smells inviting--rich, sweet, and complex. Lots of dark fruit--raisin particularly, and some dark cherry, with vanilla and marshmallow. Definite single malt scotch whisky notes. There is a bit of char in the nose (burnt campfire wood).

This is tasting quite smooth. First sip has some char bitterness with coffee and dark sweet fruit, but is well balanced by sugars, then the scotch comes through midpalate, along with some alcohol, but not overpowering at all. Finishes dry with a bit of powdery char residue and slight hop bitterness. It is a nice balance between bitter and sweet.

Body is somewhat thick and the carbonation is lively, giving this a creamy and pleasant mouthfeel.

This is a delightful RIS, pleasant to drink with a nice complexity and subtle flavors.
Aug 17, 2011
Photo of PaulStoneAnchor
Reviewed by PaulStoneAnchor from California

4.08/5  rDev -0.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
I recently picked up a bottle from a local bottle shop for $16 dollars, it was a little pricey but worth it.

A: It pours a jet black with a thin foam, absolutely nothing can be seen through this beer.

S: It has a beautiful fragrance of rum raisin with a tiny bit of oak and muscavado sugar, as well as sweet scotch.

T: A smooth sweetness of muscavado sugar and oak rolls over the tongue, along with a dark fig and smooth roast coffee. Surprisingly the barrel is not overpowering but lends its nuances to the beer. There is a slighty oakyness present, but it actually smooths out the roast coffee that is present.

M: It has a rich mouthfeel which coats the tongue and lingers with its subtle sweetness.

O: Overall, this beer is pretty exciting to try because it doesnt have some of the harshness that some bourbon barrel aged beers have. I think the scotch barrel really rounds out the beer and smoothes out the harsher characters that may of been present before the barrel. Having had the base version, this version is quite well rounded and amazing. The way the barrel brings out the fruity characters is amazing. Even though there was no molasses added the barrel adds a very molasses and muscavado sugar character. This was definitely well worth the price tag.
Jun 03, 2011
Photo of dgilks
Reviewed by dgilks from Australia

4.35/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Inky black with a small, but creamy tan head. Fair head retention.

Robust, chocolatey aroma with a smooth coffee overtone. Mild coconut and oak. Some vanillin, roast and fruit come through too.

Rich, sweet malt with lots of cacao and a hint of espresso. Oak is prominent as well.

Medium body with moderately low carbonation. Nice.

A solid stout with lots of flavour and nicely balanced barrel notes.
Apr 14, 2011
Photo of ThreeWiseMen
Reviewed by ThreeWiseMen from California

3.25/5  rDev -20.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5
JustinA1 busted this one out the other night. Thanks Justin! Following review composed from notes.

Poured into a 10oz. snifter.

Appearance: Poured out thick, black and oily, forming a sinister char-brown red with red undertones. No light penetrates this beast; it's opaque all the way to the outermost edges. Head retention is decent, it settles as a moderate-sized crown. Stringy lacing.

Smell: Roasted barley, molasses, red currants, chocolate mousse, whiskey, and sweet, floral notes. Aroma was HUGE at first; it mellows out with time. Very enjoyable.

Taste: Starts out just like the aroma, but all of the flavors quickly evaporate, leaving nothing behind except a watered-down booze. The aftertaste is a weak mixture of char and ethanol. What a letdown.

Mouthfeel: Flat, watery, thin, roasty, and dry. None of the flavors (except ethanol) exhibit any staying power. Lousy.

Drinkability: This wasn't difficult to get through, but I certainly had no interest in drinking it. Pretty flavorless on the palate, especially for an imperial stout.
Feb 28, 2011
Imperial Stout Highland Edition from Nøgne Ø
Beer rating: 90 out of 100 with 28 ratings