Narwhal
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

NarwhalNarwhal
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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:
5,534
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.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by angrybabboon:
Photo of 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
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, 2012
More User Ratings:
Photo of BJB13
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
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, 2024
 
 
Rated: 4.33 by ScottyB515 from Ohio

Feb 08, 2024
 
Rated: 2.88 by SeanP99 from North Carolina

Jan 11, 2024
Photo of LeinenkugelDrinker
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
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, 2024
Photo of dkoehler42
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
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, 2024
 
Rated: 4.16 by desint from Belgium

Jan 03, 2024
 
Rated: 4.1 by BillyNoonan from Ireland

Dec 10, 2023
Photo of TwilightBeerCareer
Reviewed 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
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, 2023
Photo of BruAfrica
Reviewed by BruAfrica

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, 2023
 
Rated: 4.1 by tgdavis from Tennessee

Nov 20, 2023
 
Rated: 4.35 by cdub70085 from Connecticut

Nov 08, 2023
 
Rated: 3.81 by Chuckdiesel24 from Illinois

Nov 01, 2023
Photo of TominPA
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
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, 2023
Photo of brettsdailybeer
Reviewed by brettsdailybeer from Utah

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
 
Rated: 4.47 by sisterofba from Maryland

Oct 09, 2023
 
Rated: 4.75 by kkazemi from North Carolina

Sep 18, 2023
 
Rated: 3.89 by Beer_aenima7 from Idaho

Sep 16, 2023
 
Rated: 4.23 by webbcreative from Oklahoma

Sep 14, 2023
Narwhal from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
Beer rating: 93 out of 100 with 5534 ratings