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Narwhal
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- From:
- Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- Russian Imperial Stout
Ranked #223 - ABV:
- 10.2%
- Score:
- 93
Ranked #3,931 - Avg:
- 4.16 | pDev: 9.62%
- Reviews:
- 1,125
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Feb 21, 2024
- Added:
- Oct 14, 2012
- Wants:
- 374
- Gots:
- 1,567
A malt-forward monster, highlighting the depths of malt flavor.
Narwhal Imperial Stout is inspired by the mysterious creature that thrives in the deepest fathoms of the frigid Arctic Ocean. Featuring incredible depth of malt flavor, rich with notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, roasted grain and a light hint of smoke, Narwhal is a massive malt-forward monster. Aggressive but refined with a velvety smooth body and decadent finish, Narwhal will age in the bottle for years to come.
Narwhal Imperial Stout is inspired by the mysterious creature that thrives in the deepest fathoms of the frigid Arctic Ocean. Featuring incredible depth of malt flavor, rich with notes of espresso, baker’s cocoa, roasted grain and a light hint of smoke, Narwhal is a massive malt-forward monster. Aggressive but refined with a velvety smooth body and decadent finish, Narwhal will age in the bottle for years to come.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by angrybabboon:
Reviewed by angrybabboon from Massachusetts
4.36/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.36/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Consumed 12/24/12
Appearance: Jet black, with some deep, dark brown clarity around the edges - pours with a nicely sized, light brown head - fades to a little island of a cap and a nice ring - leaves some nice spots and streaks - looks both beastly and highly approachable at the same time
Smell: Super roasted and burnt - dry, highly roasted grains - very burnt, not not into char territory - appropriately, it reminds me of both Sierra Nevada Porter (the roast) and Stout (the burnt) - dark and baker's chocolate, with some cocoa - hints of dark coffee - citrusy hops for balance, with some grapefruit zest - a touch of leather and booze in the background - some sweetness and dark fruits as it warms
Taste: Hyper roasty and burnt nicely balanced by a chocolatey, malty sweetness - roasty, dark coffee - burnt bread, moderately charred - dark chocolate and cocoa, with a minimal amount of sweetness - light, malty sweetness with a touch of molasses - some dark fruits as well - some grapefruit - black licorice - moderate burnt bitterness, and just a touch of alcohol
Mouthfeel: On the light side of full-bodied - smooth, creamy, a bit slick and oily - dry aftertaste - a lovely sipper
Overall: Delicious mythical beast juice
Wow. Sierra Nevada is consistently great, and this actually exceeded my expectations. This is genuinely better than some pricey, hard-to-get Russian imperials. And the scary thing is that this will only get better with age. It tastes like... potential. I want to swim with the Narwhals and learn their secrets.
Dec 24, 2012Appearance: Jet black, with some deep, dark brown clarity around the edges - pours with a nicely sized, light brown head - fades to a little island of a cap and a nice ring - leaves some nice spots and streaks - looks both beastly and highly approachable at the same time
Smell: Super roasted and burnt - dry, highly roasted grains - very burnt, not not into char territory - appropriately, it reminds me of both Sierra Nevada Porter (the roast) and Stout (the burnt) - dark and baker's chocolate, with some cocoa - hints of dark coffee - citrusy hops for balance, with some grapefruit zest - a touch of leather and booze in the background - some sweetness and dark fruits as it warms
Taste: Hyper roasty and burnt nicely balanced by a chocolatey, malty sweetness - roasty, dark coffee - burnt bread, moderately charred - dark chocolate and cocoa, with a minimal amount of sweetness - light, malty sweetness with a touch of molasses - some dark fruits as well - some grapefruit - black licorice - moderate burnt bitterness, and just a touch of alcohol
Mouthfeel: On the light side of full-bodied - smooth, creamy, a bit slick and oily - dry aftertaste - a lovely sipper
Overall: Delicious mythical beast juice
Wow. Sierra Nevada is consistently great, and this actually exceeded my expectations. This is genuinely better than some pricey, hard-to-get Russian imperials. And the scary thing is that this will only get better with age. It tastes like... potential. I want to swim with the Narwhals and learn their secrets.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by BJB13 from Maryland
4.52/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.52/5 rDev +8.7%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
12 ounce bottle poured into a Spiegelau wheat beer glass.
2023 vintage, 10.2% ABV, bottled 7/31/23
L: Dark brown, blacking out the glass, one finger head, medium brown spongy foam, moderate retention, slick specks of lace, has legs and coats the glass with oily residue.
S: Delicious robust nose. roasted and chocolate malts, sweet indicating ice cream-like aroma, some alcohol, hints of smoke.
T: Malty and sweet to open, woody and roasty bitter finish, it has a sweet molasses and oak-like almost bourbon barrel flavor, complex and interesting.
F: Medium-full body, fairly low carbonation, very creamy and velvety smooth.
O: As far as Russian Imperials go this one suits me well.
Feb 21, 20242023 vintage, 10.2% ABV, bottled 7/31/23
L: Dark brown, blacking out the glass, one finger head, medium brown spongy foam, moderate retention, slick specks of lace, has legs and coats the glass with oily residue.
S: Delicious robust nose. roasted and chocolate malts, sweet indicating ice cream-like aroma, some alcohol, hints of smoke.
T: Malty and sweet to open, woody and roasty bitter finish, it has a sweet molasses and oak-like almost bourbon barrel flavor, complex and interesting.
F: Medium-full body, fairly low carbonation, very creamy and velvety smooth.
O: As far as Russian Imperials go this one suits me well.
Reviewed by LeinenkugelDrinker from Nevada
4.46/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.46/5 rDev +7.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
2023 Narwhal review ONLY
Look: Beautiful. Very dark brown, marginal head.
Smell: Notes of chocolate and grainy booze.
Taste: Malty with a coffee bitterness and subtle hints of chocolate. A slight aftertaste of booze. Excellent.
Feel: Smooth and full bodied.
Overall: This year’s Narwhal certainly does not disappoint. Hopefully I keep enough of them around to age!
Jan 10, 2024Look: Beautiful. Very dark brown, marginal head.
Smell: Notes of chocolate and grainy booze.
Taste: Malty with a coffee bitterness and subtle hints of chocolate. A slight aftertaste of booze. Excellent.
Feel: Smooth and full bodied.
Overall: This year’s Narwhal certainly does not disappoint. Hopefully I keep enough of them around to age!
Reviewed by dkoehler42 from New York
4.07/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.07/5 rDev -2.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Call me Ishmael. This is Sierra Nevada's 2023 Narwhal. It's an imperial stout at 10.2%. It pours a dark brown that allows no light through it and features a brown head. Roasted malty sweetness dominates the nose. The taste does follow the aroma, but also mixes with a bitterness that seems to alternate between hops and a coffee bitterness. The mouthfeel is a little rough as it lingers. I'm glad I tried it, but I think I'm still hunting for my Moby Dick.
Jan 04, 2024Reviewed by TwilightBeerCareer from Illinois
4.43/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.43/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I've always wanted to give this a try, finally found a single. 2023, 10.2% abv. Glad I sprung for one. Very malt forward, with hints of chocolate, espresso, and a tinge of berries. Hides the abv well. Great cold weather sipper.
Nov 27, 2023Reviewed by BruAfrica
4.28/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.28/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Look: Jet black pour with a rather brown head that dissipates very quickly. It has a thick, viscous appearance that reminds one of a shot of espresso.
Smell: upon opening the bottle the room was filled with an aroma of dark chocolate and a sweetness that is very pleasant.
Taste: Immediate notes of chocolate and dark malt. Hints of toffee.
Feel: A wonderful full feel with a pleasant aftertaste that makes one's mouth tingle
Overall: I would recommend this beer to anyone who is looking for a nice bitter stout that is not overpowering and can be enjoyed throughout the night without becoming cumbersome.
Nov 22, 2023Smell: upon opening the bottle the room was filled with an aroma of dark chocolate and a sweetness that is very pleasant.
Taste: Immediate notes of chocolate and dark malt. Hints of toffee.
Feel: A wonderful full feel with a pleasant aftertaste that makes one's mouth tingle
Overall: I would recommend this beer to anyone who is looking for a nice bitter stout that is not overpowering and can be enjoyed throughout the night without becoming cumbersome.
Reviewed by TominPA from Pennsylvania
4.66/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.66/5 rDev +12%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
There are a few Russian Stouts that a re a go-to for me, and Narwhal may be a regular. Poured a 2023 12-oz bottle in ale glass. Tan head was substantial, and nice lacing. Taste is immediately sweet, followed by dark chocolate and good bitterness balance and a lingering, pleasant after-taste. In spite of a 10.2 ABV there is no alcohol burn or off-tastes, and it all balances and comes together. I'm sold! I'll head off to do a back-to-back with my long-time favorite Old Rasputin.
Oct 14, 2023Reviewed by brettsdailybeer from Utah
3.65/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
3.65/5 rDev -12.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.75
A robust and heavy brew, just as a stout should be, this beer features rich flavors of dark chocolate and roasted malts. It strikes a masterful balance between sweetness and bitterness. With a potent 10% ABV—a level I personally believe all stouts should aim for—it complements the richness perfectly. This was my first time trying it, but it definitely won't be my last; it's secured a spot as one of my go-to stouts.
Oct 13, 2023
Narwhal from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
93 out of
100 with
5534 ratings
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