Oro Negro
Jackie O's Brewpub

Oro NegroOro Negro
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From:
Jackie O's Brewpub
 
Ohio, United States
Style:
American Imperial Stout
Ranked #208
ABV:
13.7%
Score:
98
Ranked #454
Avg:
4.41 | pDev: 7.03%
Reviews:
186
Ratings:
967
Status:
Active
Rated:
Jun 05, 2023
Added:
Sep 18, 2014
Wants:
  214
Gots:
  161
American Imperial Stout brewed with black walnuts & conditioned on vanilla beans, oak staves, habaneros, cacao nibs, & cinnamon sticks.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by LambicPentameter:
Photo of LambicPentameter
Reviewed by LambicPentameter from Nebraska

4.22/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Received in trade thanks to BA PJ_ offering it up to compare against the heavyweights in one of my favorite substyles of beer. Enjoyed out of a 375 ml brown bottle and poured into an oversized snifter glass.

Appearance (4.25) - Pours a somewhat viscous-looking cola brown that looks almost black once it's poured into the glass. The head is an apologetic half finger at best--khaki colored--and lasts for a short few moments before turning into a partial ringlet around the edge of the glass and a whisper of film across parts of the surface of the liquid. No lacing to be seen.

Smell (4.00) - I have to admit, I'm a little disappointed that there isn't more of an aggressive aroma here given the assertive ingredients contained therein. There is some mild bakers chocolate and the subtle hint of generic spiciness, but none of that pungency of cinnamon or the richness of vanilla. After it warms, I do get some mild nuttiness that I can only assume comes from the walnuts. I just wish the entire thing was a bit more forward.

Taste (4.25) - I found the spices I was looking for. Here the cinnamon and cacao come through much more alongside a nice walnut characteristic that is nutty and rich, and the vanilla exists to soften it all together. The best part is the fact that there is a bittersweet combination of char from the roasted malts and additives that prevents this beer from straying into dessert territory. You can enjoy the suggestions of things like Mexican hot chocolate and chocolate-cinnamon cake without any cloying sweetness.

Mouthfeel (4.5) - Medium to full-bodied, with low carbonation and a semi-sweet finish.

Overall (4.25), a really nice beer that acquits itself quite well against the likes of Abraxas, Huna, Mexican Cake, etc. The walnuts really make this beer stand out from the rest, but I'm not sure it's in a way to which I'm partial. The style is already full of flavor additives, so it's easy to go overboard. I think the walnuts ultimately spend too much time competing with the cinnamon and peppers. But still, a fantastic and unique take on the substyle.
Feb 23, 2016
More User Ratings:
Photo of NCSapiens
Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana

3.96/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
For my money this is overpriced and overrated. I had this from a bottle so maybe that was the problem, but I mostly only get hot pepper spice, cinnamon and barrel, and not enough of walnut, cocoa or vanilla. The look is flat and overall kind of meh.
Jun 05, 2023
Photo of CarolinaCardinals
Reviewed by CarolinaCardinals from North Carolina

4.39/5  rDev -0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Picked up a 2022 bottle at the Appalachian Vintner in Asheville 8-4-22 for $13.99. Consumed 11-22-22.

Beer poured black with a very little tan head that dissipated quickly.

Nose is wonderful, of mildly roasted malts infused with a touch of vanilla and cinnamon.

Taste is a large mild roasted malt base infused with chili peppers, cinnamon, and takes in a touch of vanilla and bourbon from the barrel. Finishes balanced from the barrel and hopping with a touch of sweetness as intended.

Mouthfeel is smooth, easy to sip.

Overall a delicious dessert beer, well done by the brewing team!
Nov 22, 2022
Photo of oberon
Reviewed by oberon from North Carolina

4.46/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
2022 bottle.Pours into a snifter jet black with a half finger deep beige head that is gone pretty quickly.`Deep raisin and cinnamon notes in the nose with underlying pepper spice cacao.Slick feel it slides down easy.Raisin and dark chocolate upfront on the palate with some vanilla sweetness and mild burn in the lingering finish.My first Jackie O's beer wich is crazy to me.Very well made.
Jun 03, 2022
 
Rated: 4 by bigred89 from Maryland

Jan 22, 2022
Photo of brureview
Reviewed by brureview from Massachusetts

4.34/5  rDev -1.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I’d give this a 4.5 except there wasn’t any head to the pour.
Deep walnut and chocolate aroma.
Quite smooth mouth feel.
Excellent taste: Walnuts, bourbon, chocolate.
Great beer! I would’ve liked to have seen a better pour. Otherwise a first rate stout.
Nov 06, 2021
 
Rated: 4.25 by beermanben from Wisconsin

Oct 05, 2021
Photo of trevormajor
Reviewed by trevormajor from Ohio

2.3/5  rDev -47.8%
look: 3 | smell: 2.25 | taste: 2.25 | feel: 2.25 | overall: 2.25
12.7 oz bottle, vintage 2018, poured into a tulip glass at 55 degrees F:
L - dark dark brown with a hazelnut head that did not disappear
S - walnuts, a bit of cinnamon, vanilla/cacao
T - lots of cinnamon, kind of overpowering, walnut and cacao in the background
F - thick with minimal carbonation
O - This may be past its prime, as the cinnamon is overpowering
Mar 18, 2021
 
Rated: 4.62 by Jcoleman4 from Ohio

Feb 02, 2021
Photo of fountainofyouth
Reviewed by fountainofyouth from District of Columbia

4.46/5  rDev +1.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Poured from a bottle into a pint glass.

Appearance: Appropriately dark brown, and my gentle pour produced no head at all -- a tiny film of bubbles at the top.

Smell: Reminds me of my vacation to Guatemala and the Chocomuseo there -- fresh milk chocolate and sweet spices. Very nice.

Taste: Excellent -- follows the nose with hints of milk chocolate, lightly roasted grain, a bit of habanero kick, and the promised walnuts. Properly balanced.

Feel: Medium bodied, light carbonation, and a tiny kick from habaneros in the throat at the end.
Sep 04, 2020
Photo of Guaro
Reviewed by Guaro from Italy

4.45/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Ebony color tending to black, hazelnut foam with large and wide grain and little hold. Scent of milk chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, walnuts, chilli and slightly woody tones. On the palate the soft sweet sensations of chocolate and toffee blend with the spicy notes of cinnamon and with a huge spicy finish that goes hand in hand with a robust but not intrusive ethyl note. Towards the middle of the sip also notes of dried fruit, dehydrated dark fruit, dates, vanilla and light roasts. Chilli chocolate aftertaste. Chewable body, round and velvety except in the finish where the spiciness makes it sharp. Very low carbonation.
Aug 18, 2020
 
Rated: 4.35 by Blogjackets from Ohio

Aug 14, 2020
Photo of firesidewithphil
Reviewed by firesidewithphil from Illinois

4.35/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Oro Negro is one of my favorite annual beers from Jackie O's. The base beer and barrel aged variant are both elite. This base beer is very spicy on the back of tongue, which separates it from a lot of other imperials. The oily, walnut profile holds up to the spice.

The nose is extremely vanilla, but it doesn't come through in the taste. It is interesting contrast. I would suggest Oro Negro to any beer drinker for a unique experience.

@firesidewithphil
Mar 30, 2020
 
Rated: 4.53 by Abstractspirit from Rhode Island

Feb 02, 2020
 
Rated: 4.25 by Patches826 from Massachusetts

Jan 31, 2020
 
Rated: 4.35 by vabeerguy from Virginia

Jan 20, 2020
 
Rated: 4.26 by MilaMila from Massachusetts

Jan 04, 2020
Photo of scotorum
Reviewed by scotorum from Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +1.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Poured from the 12.7 oz. fancy bottle with exotic Mexican label art, into a Samuel Smith English tulip pint.

a; Opaque black with an inch and a half tan head which receded to thick surface foam and dense lacing.

s: Unique aroma with vanilla and pepper notes most prominent.

t: Entirely surprising taste with definite heat on the end but a n apparent combination of ingredients with chocolate and cinnamon as well as hot pepper far more prominent than on the nose.

m; Full, or nearly so, great body and some carbonation tingle.

o; The word "unique" keeps popping up, but then who else has made a stout with this mix? TRhe hot pepper tends to steal the show but the underlying flavor combo also makes this a special brew. Expensive ($10) but worth the experience. Makes us wonder how the bourbon barrel aged version changes the whole.
Nov 08, 2019
 
Rated: 4.84 by jmbeerdude91 from Arizona

Oct 18, 2019
Photo of mntlover
Reviewed by mntlover from Tennessee

3.96/5  rDev -10.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Pours a deep black no light getting thru this one, Small dark tan head falls slow only spotty lace or realistically not lace.

Aroma is roasted malts that seem subdued do to the spices over powering the malts, hot peppers and cinnamon dominate at first pour. After it sits a while the nuttiness appears along with coco nibs peaking out underneath. Weird wouldn't guess
this is an Imperial stout from the nose the added spice and nuts seem to cover the roasted malts up.

Taste is like the nose peppers and spice are up front and linger though out the flavor. Get hints of the roasted notes and chocolate just for a second or two. Finish is lingering spice and big nutty notes. If you like spicy stouts which I do you may love it, to me seems not so complex and kind of one trick pony for World Class status but its defiantly in the good category.

Mouthfeel is only heavy medium to me maybe approaching full, fairly smooth carbonation.

Overall worth a try its not bad maybe you will fell like some who think its wonderful.
Sep 05, 2019
Oro Negro from Jackie O's Brewpub
Beer rating: 98 out of 100 with 967 ratings