White Label Imperial Russian Stout - Caol Ila Barrel Aged
Brouwerij Emelisse
- From:
- Brouwerij Emelisse
- Netherlands
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- +2 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 3.77 | pDev: 12.73%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 3
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Oct 12, 2023
- Added:
- Oct 15, 2012
- Wants:
- 1
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
-
-
No description / notes.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by Sigmund from Norway
3.36/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.36/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
January 2014: 330 ml bottle, Cardinal Pub & Bar, Stavanger. ABV is 11%, EBU 75. Pitch black colour, low and coarse beige head. Strong aroma of peated whisky, oak, iodine and sea air - and of course roasted malts. Moderately sweet flavour, plenty of roasted malts and decent hops, but the flavour is first and foremost dominated by peat and iodine from the whisky barrel. Not really my favourite flavours. Some warmth from the alcohol.
Oct 12, 2023
Reviewed by stakem from Pennsylvania
3.75/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.25
3.75/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 3.25
12oz bottle at cellar temperature into a snifter. The brew appears black in color and only once held to the light do you notice the lighter brown clarity around the edges and a hint of ruby coloration that wants to poke through. I poured this brew pretty rough down the middle of my glass as initially it looked flat. Only once the entire bottle is emptied does a finger of head formulate across the top being released from the carbonation stuck in solution. The cap appears brown and silky smooth that leaves a complete webbing of lace sticking to the glass. This is a very attractive looking brew.
It takes me a few sniffs of this brew for the aromatics to warm up to me and not be off-putting. Once I get accustomed to the unique character that is going on in this glass, it starts to grow on me. Having never had the base brew, I can only assume that the scotch barrel treatment here is what promotes that huge phenolic character that is present. At first it is a bit like plastic or burnt rubber but it blends out into a strong smoke character like pete. There is a soft inclusion of raison-like alcohol presence but for the most part the scotch barrel aging has completely dominated the aromatics.
The flavor profile presents pretty much the same challenge as the aroma. A very pungent mossy to earthy flavor of pete is present and has phenolics that are not only smoky but heavy with a hint of plastic. Some herbal hops and a solvent burn of alcohol are constant. Some roast and raison-like alcohol notes are noted towards the finish but just like the nose, the scotch barrel has dominated most of the character that this brew has to offer.
This is a medium to fuller bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation that visually looks a bit lacking but in the feel makes for a ridiculously luscious and creamy feel that dare I say compares to a nitrogen delivery. I cannot express how fucking impressive the feel of this brew is. The 11% abv is felt but the rich silky feel of the brew actually over-compensates for the alcohol burn. I partially feel like I have done myself and this beer a disservice by not having the base brew before partaking in in this barrel treatment/version. However, having other offerings aged in different scotch barrels allows me to understand what exactly is going on here. Fans of big Pete presence in their scotch/beer will murder for this. I think it was pretty good but I feel the barrel overtook the beer instead of complimenting it.
Mar 07, 2013It takes me a few sniffs of this brew for the aromatics to warm up to me and not be off-putting. Once I get accustomed to the unique character that is going on in this glass, it starts to grow on me. Having never had the base brew, I can only assume that the scotch barrel treatment here is what promotes that huge phenolic character that is present. At first it is a bit like plastic or burnt rubber but it blends out into a strong smoke character like pete. There is a soft inclusion of raison-like alcohol presence but for the most part the scotch barrel aging has completely dominated the aromatics.
The flavor profile presents pretty much the same challenge as the aroma. A very pungent mossy to earthy flavor of pete is present and has phenolics that are not only smoky but heavy with a hint of plastic. Some herbal hops and a solvent burn of alcohol are constant. Some roast and raison-like alcohol notes are noted towards the finish but just like the nose, the scotch barrel has dominated most of the character that this brew has to offer.
This is a medium to fuller bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation that visually looks a bit lacking but in the feel makes for a ridiculously luscious and creamy feel that dare I say compares to a nitrogen delivery. I cannot express how fucking impressive the feel of this brew is. The 11% abv is felt but the rich silky feel of the brew actually over-compensates for the alcohol burn. I partially feel like I have done myself and this beer a disservice by not having the base brew before partaking in in this barrel treatment/version. However, having other offerings aged in different scotch barrels allows me to understand what exactly is going on here. Fans of big Pete presence in their scotch/beer will murder for this. I think it was pretty good but I feel the barrel overtook the beer instead of complimenting it.
Reviewed by Jeffo from Netherlands
3.25/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.25/5 rDev -13.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Got this at the liquor store down the road. Nice find in these parts.
From a bottle into a snifter
Best Before June 2015
Lot A
EBU: 75
APPEARANCE: A thinner black pour yields a 1+ finger, medium looking, tan head with excellent retention. Head eventually fades to a thin wisp and sticks to the sides of the glass. A transparent black body and no carbonation evident. A bubbly ring remains until the end but leaves no real lacing down the glass.
SMELL: Peaty on the nose for sure. This is much like the Ardberg variant but somewhat milder. Some roasted and smoky malts with dark chocolate as well, but the peat aromas are more prevalent.
TASTE: Much like the Ardberg variant, but with more dark chocolate after the swallow. Lots of peaty and smoky flavors up front, with roasted malts as well, then some coffee bitterness and lots of bitter dark chocolate after the swallow. Some bitter cacao powder lingers on the palate. Bold and lingering finish of smoky peat malt, roasted notes and a good dose of bitter, dark chocolate and coffee in there.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Enough weight on the palate, creamy enough, goes down smooth and finishes slightly dry. No heat. Heavy enough compared to the others, but could be creamier for the style.
OVERALL: This was quality stuff, though it was similar enough to the Ardberg BA version that I'd question the necessity of making it. Variety is nice, but variety for the sake of variety can become tiresome. Still, this is a quality brew worth checking out. Give it a shot if you see it.
Oct 15, 2012From a bottle into a snifter
Best Before June 2015
Lot A
EBU: 75
APPEARANCE: A thinner black pour yields a 1+ finger, medium looking, tan head with excellent retention. Head eventually fades to a thin wisp and sticks to the sides of the glass. A transparent black body and no carbonation evident. A bubbly ring remains until the end but leaves no real lacing down the glass.
SMELL: Peaty on the nose for sure. This is much like the Ardberg variant but somewhat milder. Some roasted and smoky malts with dark chocolate as well, but the peat aromas are more prevalent.
TASTE: Much like the Ardberg variant, but with more dark chocolate after the swallow. Lots of peaty and smoky flavors up front, with roasted malts as well, then some coffee bitterness and lots of bitter dark chocolate after the swallow. Some bitter cacao powder lingers on the palate. Bold and lingering finish of smoky peat malt, roasted notes and a good dose of bitter, dark chocolate and coffee in there.
PALATE: Medium body and medium levels of carbonation. Enough weight on the palate, creamy enough, goes down smooth and finishes slightly dry. No heat. Heavy enough compared to the others, but could be creamier for the style.
OVERALL: This was quality stuff, though it was similar enough to the Ardberg BA version that I'd question the necessity of making it. Variety is nice, but variety for the sake of variety can become tiresome. Still, this is a quality brew worth checking out. Give it a shot if you see it.
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