Tactical Nuclear Penguin
BrewDog

Tactical Nuclear PenguinTactical Nuclear Penguin
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From:
BrewDog
 
Scotland, United Kingdom
Style:
American Imperial Stout
ABV:
32%
Score:
81
Avg:
3.56 | pDev: 21.91%
Reviews:
135
Ratings:
342
Status:
Active
Rated:
Nov 28, 2021
Added:
Dec 06, 2009
Wants:
  273
Gots:
  99
Made by freezing Paradox to remove water.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 5 by mishi_d from Romania

Nov 28, 2021
Photo of polynya
Reviewed by polynya from California

1.9/5  rDev -46.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 1 | feel: 1 | overall: 1
My parents employed the same tactic - freezing alcoholic beverages to increase the alcohol percentage - in order to save storage space on their yacht during a three year global circumnavigation. The result was godawful, and the same can be said for this "beer".
Apr 13, 2021
 
Rated: 3.53 by DvdP from Netherlands

Nov 17, 2020
Photo of Brutaltruth
Reviewed by Brutaltruth from Ohio

3.79/5  rDev +6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
First review of the New Year 2020---Cheers Bluejacket for this one!

This mighty beast pours a thick, oily, black strap molasses color.
No head, no lacing, but this brew has more legs than ZZ Top's famous song.
Nose of black currants, soy, pepper, char, and booze---lots and lots of booze.
Flavors with a few exceptions. Heavy astringent fiery booze, char, black
pepper, soy/worcestershire flavor akin to a heavy beefy flavor, scotch flavors
also arise with warmth amongst bitter malt and leather notes.
Feel is the real interesting thing on this one; no carbonation, slick, hot,
smooth....I don't think I can feel my face...ahem...coating, and finishing
with a bitter malt/soy note.

A brew that has been on my bucket list for years and thanks to Bluejacket
one to check off. Excellent!

A novelty with teeth!

Cheers
Jan 01, 2020
Photo of StraightNoChaser
Reviewed by StraightNoChaser from Georgia

4.4/5  rDev +23.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
look: Dark brown with ruby highlights. No carbonation to speak of, as expected.
smell: Rich toasty stout with peaty Scotch, some boozy caramel.
taste: If a Scotch whiskey and Imp Stout had a baby, it would taste like this. All gimmicks aside, a unique beverage and i really like it.
Nov 17, 2019
Photo of Casey3236
Reviewed by Casey3236 from Pennsylvania

4.41/5  rDev +23.9%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
I'm sorry, there's no effing way this is 32%! Granted, I could smell this 1 1/2 ounce pour from 6 feet away. Coated the glass like varnish, but smell is very reminiscent of World Wide Stout from DFH. Taste reminds me of WWS with a couple years on it. Caramel, brown sugar,vanilla, molasses, booze of course but 15% or 16%, NOT 32%! So pleasantly surprised, thought I'd have to choke this down but I actually have to resist the desire for another pour.
Oct 18, 2017
Photo of jgasparine
Reviewed by jgasparine from Maryland

3.75/5  rDev +5.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
This is a hard one to review. The things I didn't like about the beer- excessive booziness and astringency- are to be expected from a 32% brew.

Overall, this midnight black liquid was oaky and slightly peaty from maturation in scotch casks. No carbonation. The body was a little thinner than I would have expected from something that was freeze-distilled. Excellent sipping beer for those that love scotch.

Glad I tried it and would endorse for the rare occasion.
Aug 28, 2017
Photo of WickedBeer
Reviewed by WickedBeer from Alabama

3.7/5  rDev +3.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3.5
A badass name with a deserving punch. This beer is a doozy!

Pours a sort of burnt crimson hue, no carbonation, no head, and no lace.

This nose on this has some serious bite. Very boozy; getting a lot of dried fruit and molasses. Also a good bit of nuttiness coming through.

Again, molasses comes through with a thorough boozy warmth and sharp bite. Agreeing with some other reviews, getting a lot of walnut and anise character as well.

Although it pours surprisingly thin, it has a very syrupy body that reminds me a bit too much of Robitussin. Very sticky residuals left over.

Overall, quite the experience. This monster can never be prepared for, however it's worth trying if you get the chance. The booze is so clear and often overwhelming. But if you take the time to sip it and let it warm, this beer has a lot to offer. Take your time and let this one develop on your palate!
Aug 14, 2017
Photo of earljones199
Reviewed by earljones199 from New Hampshire

3.83/5  rDev +7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
Taste is dry walnuts. Booze is comes out as a slow warming as it goes down. I get a little bit of licorice but not as much as the dry walnut flavor. I enjoyed this one but can't imagine taking it on solo.
Aug 13, 2017
 
Rated: 4 by Mike from New Hampshire

Aug 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.09 by Mikeypnh from New Hampshire

Aug 08, 2017
 
Rated: 4.34 by Zach136 from Georgia

May 04, 2017
 
Rated: 3.45 by mdaschaf from Indiana

Sep 20, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by brittanylicious from Indiana

Sep 10, 2016
 
Rated: 3.5 by heysuz from Indiana

Sep 10, 2016
Photo of StJamesGate
Reviewed by StJamesGate from New York

4.05/5  rDev +13.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Glowing garnet black with legs. 4
Worcestershire, molasses, and a bang of heat. 4
Chewy natural licorice, bang of salt, fish sauce, pomegranate, and astringent cut. 4
Heavy, cut, hot. 4

For the ABV, still recognizable as an RIS. But doesn’t quite work as a liqueur - more a salty, bitter aperitif. Deep, rough, intricate. 4.25
Jul 08, 2016
 
Rated: 3.95 by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

Jul 08, 2016
 
Rated: 3.68 by k3ve from Switzerland

Apr 05, 2016
Photo of CraigTravor
Reviewed by CraigTravor from California

3.98/5  rDev +11.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4
Good Lord!!! This thing hits like a... nuclear weapon... yep The name kinda makes sense. Strong roasty flavour with a solid alcohol mouthfeel. This beer does not lie about what it is. Obviously, you should try it if you can.
Apr 05, 2016
Photo of TequilaTom
Reviewed by TequilaTom from Ohio

2.72/5  rDev -23.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Ok, this is a love hate relationship here. Kudos to my friend Brandon for inviting me to taste not only this beer, but also Sink The Bismarck and Dogfish Head 120!!!!
I am eternally grateful that I had the honor to try this, but I have to be honest, I wouldn't seek this out. It pours a dark brown with zero carbonation. Smells smoky, malty and boozy. This is a sipper for sure. Tastes of peat smoke and heavy malt once the alcohol burn settles down. I preferred this over the Sink the Bismarck. Was a novelty for the most part. While I am happy to be among the rare few that have tried this, My advice is to do what we did, split the cost amongst 10 or so people because a 1 or 2 oz pour was all that I would want.
Feb 22, 2016
Tactical Nuclear Penguin from BrewDog
Beer rating: 81 out of 100 with 342 ratings