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Black Xantus
Humboldt Brewing Co.
- From:
- Humboldt Brewing Co.
- California, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
- ABV:
- 11%
- Score:
- 93
- Avg:
- 4.19 | pDev: 10.02%
- Reviews:
- 446
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Oct 21, 2020
- Added:
- Oct 09, 2009
- Wants:
- 128
- Gots:
- 372
Barrel aged for 6 months in combination of Bourbon, retired Firestone Union and wine barrels and Infused with fair-trade, organic coffee from local roaster Jobella.
Style: Imperial Java Stout IBUs: 50 Color: Black ABV: 11%
Style: Imperial Java Stout IBUs: 50 Color: Black ABV: 11%
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by PaulStoneAnchor:
Reviewed by PaulStoneAnchor from California
4.12/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.12/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
09 Black Xantus poured into a Sierra Nevada 16oz Snifter
I finally decided to pour this one, almost 2 years later, and thought it was definitely ready. I remember when it first was released two years ago and how rich it was with coffee and chocolate. But, after two years, it is now showing some more barrel, vanilla, dark chocolate, dark fruit(raisin), and mocha flavors. The flavor component has definitely changed, but it is still really amazing. I get a bit of the bourbon and wine barrel this time around which add to the dark fruit component it has. I am definitely impressed with the way this one has aged, I also have a rarer 2010 Xantus in which I will opening soon. A great beer if you can still get ahold of an 09.
2010 Black Xantus poured into a Cigar City Snifter
I know with this one they changed the recipe, and with this they made it a bit different from the 09 Black Xantus. And with both they have different characteristics to them. The 2010 has a lot more of a dark roasted coffee characteristic, and dark chocolate, then the 09. The 2010 also has a lot of a sweet oak and bourbon characteristic, and the mouthfeel is amazing. It rolls over the tongue with a smooth richness, and velvety texture. The 2010 has a lot of rich roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and sweet oak. The nose has a lot of rich graham cracker, dark chocolate, and a rich medium roast coffee. Overall, the 2010 was amazing, it had a bit more rich coffee and dark chocolate. It was, in my opinion, the best of the two Black Xantus variations.
11/06/2011 2011 Black Xantus
2011 Black Xantus
I decided that I would open this year's version fresh, just like I did when Black Xantus first was released back in 2009. Back in 09 it was really coffee heavy which I really enjoyed, but this year's is a mixed of whiskey and coffee. The aroma has a sweet coffee, bourbon, and some chocolate; but in the taste it has a medium roast coffee, a bourbon soaked coffee, and some subtle undertones of oak, dark chocolate, and earthy/herbal hoppiness. It does have a really nice mouthfeel, and the carbonation brings out the hoppiness and oak. Overall this beer is a still very good, but with a year or two on it, it would mellow the hotness of the bourbon barrel and incorporate the coffee. I definitely enjoyed the fresh coffee in the fresh version, it was like a sweetened Peet's coffee that had a little bit of bourbon added too it. I definitely enjoyed this beer, and I am going to get another bottle to age and see how this does with some age. I have had the 09 and 10 with some age on them and they are fantastic.
Aug 19, 2011I finally decided to pour this one, almost 2 years later, and thought it was definitely ready. I remember when it first was released two years ago and how rich it was with coffee and chocolate. But, after two years, it is now showing some more barrel, vanilla, dark chocolate, dark fruit(raisin), and mocha flavors. The flavor component has definitely changed, but it is still really amazing. I get a bit of the bourbon and wine barrel this time around which add to the dark fruit component it has. I am definitely impressed with the way this one has aged, I also have a rarer 2010 Xantus in which I will opening soon. A great beer if you can still get ahold of an 09.
2010 Black Xantus poured into a Cigar City Snifter
I know with this one they changed the recipe, and with this they made it a bit different from the 09 Black Xantus. And with both they have different characteristics to them. The 2010 has a lot more of a dark roasted coffee characteristic, and dark chocolate, then the 09. The 2010 also has a lot of a sweet oak and bourbon characteristic, and the mouthfeel is amazing. It rolls over the tongue with a smooth richness, and velvety texture. The 2010 has a lot of rich roasted coffee, dark chocolate, and sweet oak. The nose has a lot of rich graham cracker, dark chocolate, and a rich medium roast coffee. Overall, the 2010 was amazing, it had a bit more rich coffee and dark chocolate. It was, in my opinion, the best of the two Black Xantus variations.
11/06/2011 2011 Black Xantus
2011 Black Xantus
I decided that I would open this year's version fresh, just like I did when Black Xantus first was released back in 2009. Back in 09 it was really coffee heavy which I really enjoyed, but this year's is a mixed of whiskey and coffee. The aroma has a sweet coffee, bourbon, and some chocolate; but in the taste it has a medium roast coffee, a bourbon soaked coffee, and some subtle undertones of oak, dark chocolate, and earthy/herbal hoppiness. It does have a really nice mouthfeel, and the carbonation brings out the hoppiness and oak. Overall this beer is a still very good, but with a year or two on it, it would mellow the hotness of the bourbon barrel and incorporate the coffee. I definitely enjoyed the fresh coffee in the fresh version, it was like a sweetened Peet's coffee that had a little bit of bourbon added too it. I definitely enjoyed this beer, and I am going to get another bottle to age and see how this does with some age. I have had the 09 and 10 with some age on them and they are fantastic.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by jakecattleco from California
4.33/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.33/5 rDev +3.3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Bottle dated 11/06/14 into a tulip glass. Nose is nice, bourbon and roasted malts. Taste has a bit more dimension, plenty of barrel aspects. Thinner mouthfeel for 11%. This held up really well, little/no oxidation perceived, would happily have again.
Oct 21, 2020Reviewed by jws7968 from Illinois
4.4/5 rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.4/5 rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured very thin and gave me reason to doubt. It did not. Not much in the line of lacing. Smells nothing of coffee, but does of bourbon and is very fruity. The bourbon is very prominent in the taste as well. This beer was a surprise and well worth looking in to purchasing again.
Apr 11, 2020Reviewed by MikeWard from Pennsylvania
4.1/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
650ml bottle into a goblet. Bottled 4/3/15, so getting on for 5 years old.
Jet black body, small tan head which, despite the abv, maintains in some form throughout leaving a little lacing
Aroma of dried fruit, and a touch boozy.
On tasting after it had warmed up a bit, the coffee additive has pretty much disappeared. But there is a ton of dried fruit, raisin, plum, etc. You get the feeling that it's about to descend into soy sauce, but it never does. Barrel aging is smooth after 4 plus years in the bottle. Enjoying this one.
Mouth closing in on full, finish boozy dried fruit
Overall, nice sipper on a cold night, a lot going on.
Jan 27, 2020Jet black body, small tan head which, despite the abv, maintains in some form throughout leaving a little lacing
Aroma of dried fruit, and a touch boozy.
On tasting after it had warmed up a bit, the coffee additive has pretty much disappeared. But there is a ton of dried fruit, raisin, plum, etc. You get the feeling that it's about to descend into soy sauce, but it never does. Barrel aging is smooth after 4 plus years in the bottle. Enjoying this one.
Mouth closing in on full, finish boozy dried fruit
Overall, nice sipper on a cold night, a lot going on.
Reviewed by ScruffySouthpaw from New York
4.31/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.31/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Served in a red wine glass from the bottle.
Appearance: Dark thick black body with medium bubbles to the body with a dark tan head rising well over one fingers length off the body.
Smell: Espresso aroma accompanied with light dose of vanilla extract and hints of light whiskey.
Taste: Complex brew and incredibly tasty. It is a dry butter coffee with rich whiskey. It is subtle with doses of dark chocolate with molasses and beyond malty. Caramel notes are there and offset the brew perfectly.
Mouth: Super sticky beer. Comes off a touch dry with espresso stickiness. Full body with medium carbonation.
Overall: Great brew. I got this from a beer of the month club and Will inquiere if I can make further purchases. It's a must grab and better than some of the hyper crap you see see on the internet. Sleeper hit of the year. Yes I said it. Salud!
Apr 28, 2019Appearance: Dark thick black body with medium bubbles to the body with a dark tan head rising well over one fingers length off the body.
Smell: Espresso aroma accompanied with light dose of vanilla extract and hints of light whiskey.
Taste: Complex brew and incredibly tasty. It is a dry butter coffee with rich whiskey. It is subtle with doses of dark chocolate with molasses and beyond malty. Caramel notes are there and offset the brew perfectly.
Mouth: Super sticky beer. Comes off a touch dry with espresso stickiness. Full body with medium carbonation.
Overall: Great brew. I got this from a beer of the month club and Will inquiere if I can make further purchases. It's a must grab and better than some of the hyper crap you see see on the internet. Sleeper hit of the year. Yes I said it. Salud!
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
4.08/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
4.08/5 rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
22oz bottle. Stamped on bottle neck is bottling date of '11/06/14'. The label says the beer was brewed and bottled in Paso Robles CA, which is where Firestone Walker is located. The date of bottling, according to Humboldt's website timeline, is post-Firestone Walker ownership, but perhaps the beer was contact brewed by Firestone Walker.
Ruby brown colored body. Partial finger width of tan head, which sticks around as a partial head fed by rising tiny bubbles. Spots of lacing with each sip slide back down into the body.
Aroma is heavy with dark malts, with dark chocolate. There is a hint of vanilla and black licorice.
Taste is dominated with the heavy, dark chocolate malt. Also has caramel and molasses. There is a background bitterness from how coffee would express. There is a hint that this beer has been barrel aged, as evidenced from the higher ABV% and an aftertaste akin to bourbon and vanilla.
Nearly medium in mouth feel. Quite good carbonation.
The beer has a touch of sweetness, but also has a definitely darker and more bitter touch. The rising bubbles provide a visual show at the beer's surface.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/4/2019
I have another bottle of Black Xantus which the label identifies 'Nectar Ales' as the brewer. The stamped bottling date is '11/22/13', which is an earlier bottling date for the first reviewed bottle. Label says "Brewed & Bottled by NECTAR ALES Paso Robles, CA 93446".
Dark brown colored body, with a partial finger width of light tan head. This head stays around as a partial cap and ring. Leaves behind some strings of lacing.
Aroma is dark malts, with chocolate, dark fruits, and vanilla.
Taste follows the smell with dark malts, heavily expressing chocolate. There is a tang akin to dark fruits, along with vanilla and bourbon barrel notes. Some toffee and anise flavors mix in.
Medium plus mouth feel. Very good carbonation.
From memory this beer is very similar to the other bottle of Black Xantus, and the rating score remains the same.
Mar 20, 2019Ruby brown colored body. Partial finger width of tan head, which sticks around as a partial head fed by rising tiny bubbles. Spots of lacing with each sip slide back down into the body.
Aroma is heavy with dark malts, with dark chocolate. There is a hint of vanilla and black licorice.
Taste is dominated with the heavy, dark chocolate malt. Also has caramel and molasses. There is a background bitterness from how coffee would express. There is a hint that this beer has been barrel aged, as evidenced from the higher ABV% and an aftertaste akin to bourbon and vanilla.
Nearly medium in mouth feel. Quite good carbonation.
The beer has a touch of sweetness, but also has a definitely darker and more bitter touch. The rising bubbles provide a visual show at the beer's surface.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4/4/2019
I have another bottle of Black Xantus which the label identifies 'Nectar Ales' as the brewer. The stamped bottling date is '11/22/13', which is an earlier bottling date for the first reviewed bottle. Label says "Brewed & Bottled by NECTAR ALES Paso Robles, CA 93446".
Dark brown colored body, with a partial finger width of light tan head. This head stays around as a partial cap and ring. Leaves behind some strings of lacing.
Aroma is dark malts, with chocolate, dark fruits, and vanilla.
Taste follows the smell with dark malts, heavily expressing chocolate. There is a tang akin to dark fruits, along with vanilla and bourbon barrel notes. Some toffee and anise flavors mix in.
Medium plus mouth feel. Very good carbonation.
From memory this beer is very similar to the other bottle of Black Xantus, and the rating score remains the same.
Reviewed by Mshoener from Pennsylvania
4.75/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.75/5 rDev +13.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
The pour is lucious with an outstanding head of bubbly foam which recedes nicely and in itself tastes outstanding. The nose is pure smokey sweetness with a taste that’s thick and smooth with burnt roasted booze warming to the depths of your soul. Enjoy decadence. First time I’ve had this and def will look for more.
Feb 02, 2019Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri
4.35/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +3.8%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours black with a finger of khaki foam that retains fairly well and then leaves a dense ring of foam. Aroma is heavy roasted and toasted malts with a strong smack of bitterness. There is a twinge of caramel and toffee that soften the harshness a touch. It's a hearty imperial stout that retains focus. Flavor profile is caramel, toasted, and roasted malts with a hint of caramel, toffee, and molasses. The flavor profile is a little sweeter than the aroma, but it still retains a strong bitterness. Mouth feel is medium-thick with a velvety, otherwise standard, texture. Overall, this is the embodiment of a standard imperial stout. While other imperial stouts pack in more flavor, this one retains a splendid simplicity.
Served in a Teku 3.0 from a 22oz bottle.
Aug 01, 2018Served in a Teku 3.0 from a 22oz bottle.
Black Xantus from Humboldt Brewing Co.
Beer rating:
93 out of
100 with
1390 ratings
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