110K+OT Batch #6
Cigar City Brewing

 

 

Bottle Date: 1/2/17 (I think)
Palate Contaminants: other beer

The look is thick. Thick, thick, thick. Fine brown head, although it dissipates quickly, rendering little lacing. So that's an odd combo. Maximally opaque, and I mean absolutely no light gets through even at the edges.

Smell definitely has raspberries up front, but they're notably not sweet. Really dark, bitter chocolate, too. Lightly floral, with berry blossom scents. Overall, could have a bit more depth.

The chocolate is restrained in the taste, and it actually gives way to acidic charred barrel. The raspberries are a disappointment, though. (It's possible I let this one sit too long.) There's a bit of decaying vine at first, but eventually the berry comes through. Sweetness is barely detectable at first, and that would really rescue matters if it hit earlier. Green coffee beans in there, too.

At least the less pleasant tastes give way in the aftertaste, leaving the best of the raspberry. And the green coffee gives way to chicory. The alcohol is well hidden for a tenner. Surprisingly moderate weight for the type. Not a lot of carbonation, either.

L: Jet black color, almost no head, not much lacing to speak of, no visible carbonation.

S: Chocolate, raspberry, coffee. Wow!

T: Chocolate, raspberry, coffee, alcohol. I just went to heaven :)

F: Full bodied, full flavored.

O: World class imperial stout. A must have.

 

 

 

 

9/3/2018

A bottle purchased at the Oskar Blues Boulder taproom in November 2018. No visible bottle date, pouring in a wine glass for the review. Hey, it's a port barrel aged beer!

Look- Pours thick and oily black with a generous finger of lasting dark creamy mocha foam. A trace bit of lacing is present.

Smell- Heavy raspberry, molasses and leather.

Taste- Raspberry dominates the taste along with a little tobacco, molasses and oak.

Feel- Thick, creamy and silky smooth like a stout should be.

Overall- A very raspberry forward dessert beer. I love raspberries, but drinking a glass of this is like the equivalent of eating a pound. It's good, but one to share in my opinion. I feel the port barrel probably makes the raspberries even more pronounced. It's a very good beer even though I find it quite one dimensional in smell and taste. I'd love to try a bourbon barrel version for comparison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

750ml bottle poured into a tulip

A- pours deep black with a one-finger foamy khaki head that has short retention

S- plenty of port barrel on the nose with undertones of raspberry jam, chocolate, licorice, vanilla & light wood

T- port barrel up front gives some dark fruity notes, followed by raspberry jam, vanilla, black licorice, vanilla cream and caramel. Light char and more berries on the finish

M- medium body and carbonation leads to a foamy mouthfeel that continues into the finish

O- raspberries and port make a good combination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black color with mocha head. Lots of raspberry jam on the nose with dark chocolate underneath. Taste is bitter and roasty with slightly acidic raspberry juice and jam flavor. Medium plus body with soft carbonation. Really elegant beer, like a sophisticated dessert without being too sweet.

 

 

 

 

A-On tap at CC. Big 8 oz pour has a ringing of dark beige bubbles atop a black, opaque brew
S-Rich notes of wood, alcohol soaked raspberries and mounds of chocolate. Smells like dessert.
T-hey, tastes like dessert too. Raspberry enrobed truffles.
M-smooth, low/moderate carbonation with a pleasing warmness.
O-A rich, fruity chocolate bomb. Nice barrel notes. Flavorful and a perfect sipper.

 

 

 

 

750ml bottle poured into a matching CCB snifter. The brew appears black in color with a brown head that fades leaving patchy lace.

This smells char and seedy with raspberry then earthy licorice, milk chocolate and mild oak fading to a sweetness like caramel and vanilla.

This tastes like char, licorice, earth and tobacco with a contrasting raspberry tartness. Some slight booziness and oak in aftertaste.

This is medium in body with modest carbonation. A decent mix of flavor that is enjoyable but man its a little strange the way the flavors seemingly combat one another rather than blend.