Guinness Special Export Stout (John Martin - Belgium) | Guinness Ltd.
Brewed by:
Guinness Ltd.
Ireland
guinness.com
Style: Foreign / Export Stout
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 8.00%
Availability: Year-round
Notes / Commercial Description:
No notes at this time.
Added by TheLongBeachBum on 06-28-2003
Reviews: 163 | Ratings: 283
4.43/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pitch black with a decent head of beige foam that leaves pretty lacing. Full smell of milk chocolate, roasted coffee and vanilla. The taste is awesome: very complex yet in perfect balance. Dark chocolate, coffee, toffee, raisins, cherries and raspberry. Mildly sweet, mildly bitter with a modest dry aftertaste. Mouth feel is smooth and full. Guinness struck gold with this export stout. I'm very happy I actually live in the part of the world they export this particular version to!
★ 483 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Pitch black with a decent head of beige foam that leaves pretty lacing. Full smell of milk chocolate, roasted coffee and vanilla. The taste is awesome: very complex yet in perfect balance. Dark chocolate, coffee, toffee, raisins, cherries and raspberry. Mildly sweet, mildly bitter with a modest dry aftertaste. Mouth feel is smooth and full. Guinness struck gold with this export stout. I'm very happy I actually live in the part of the world they export this particular version to!
★ 483 characters
4.64/5 rDev +10.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Wow, what an upgrade on the classic Guinness (and boy do I live the original).
Smells of liquorice and dried fruit, tastes similar with burnt ash and a hint of coffee and chocolate. Sweet and bitter balance is great.
A really really decent stout, with great color, surprisingly clean white foam.
A winner.
★ 310 characters
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Wow, what an upgrade on the classic Guinness (and boy do I live the original).
Smells of liquorice and dried fruit, tastes similar with burnt ash and a hint of coffee and chocolate. Sweet and bitter balance is great.
A really really decent stout, with great color, surprisingly clean white foam.
A winner.
★ 310 characters
3.15/5 rDev -25%
look: 4.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
L:
-pours a very dark brown with mahogany tinges and a big,frothy,beige head
S:
-grainy,lactose,vanilla,toffee
T:
-toffee,coffee,chocolate,caramel,plums,raisins
-toasty finish
-almost a little tart
F:
-medium carbonation
-medium body
-alcohol well hidden
O:
Lacks in most categories
★ 282 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
L:
-pours a very dark brown with mahogany tinges and a big,frothy,beige head
S:
-grainy,lactose,vanilla,toffee
T:
-toffee,coffee,chocolate,caramel,plums,raisins
-toasty finish
-almost a little tart
F:
-medium carbonation
-medium body
-alcohol well hidden
O:
Lacks in most categories
★ 282 characters
4.25/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Vertical tasting w/ 2014, 2013, and 2010 expiry dated bottles; ratings are averaged.
2014: Garnet black with webby tendrils of tan.
Metallic and lean nose with slight raisin.
Giant treacle body with some coffee grounds and dried cranberry.
Pure Baker’s chocolate end and drying vinous linger.
Medium to full, dry, and chewy.
Much tinnier and port-like than I’d expect - raisiny yet dry. No sweetness to help you swallow it. Mighty but easy.
2013: Bigger vinous nose, great webbing, and a much fuller and silkier body. Big chocolate thread; reminiscent of Polish rum-raisin bon-bons. So much to dig into; almost not the same beer.
2010: Tobacco nose comes out now, there are more oxidized sherry notes, and it’s starting to get too fizzy. Past its peak, but still has an incredible long, layered sultana finish.
Overall all a very different creature from Foreign Export - goes for tart over sweet, dark fruit over coffee. Should be laid down and then tasted like port. Worthwhile.
★ 998 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Vertical tasting w/ 2014, 2013, and 2010 expiry dated bottles; ratings are averaged.
2014: Garnet black with webby tendrils of tan.
Metallic and lean nose with slight raisin.
Giant treacle body with some coffee grounds and dried cranberry.
Pure Baker’s chocolate end and drying vinous linger.
Medium to full, dry, and chewy.
Much tinnier and port-like than I’d expect - raisiny yet dry. No sweetness to help you swallow it. Mighty but easy.
2013: Bigger vinous nose, great webbing, and a much fuller and silkier body. Big chocolate thread; reminiscent of Polish rum-raisin bon-bons. So much to dig into; almost not the same beer.
2010: Tobacco nose comes out now, there are more oxidized sherry notes, and it’s starting to get too fizzy. Past its peak, but still has an incredible long, layered sultana finish.
Overall all a very different creature from Foreign Export - goes for tart over sweet, dark fruit over coffee. Should be laid down and then tasted like port. Worthwhile.
★ 998 characters
4.4/5 rDev +4.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
19.11.15
Guinness Special Export Stout (John Martin - Belgium)
Foreign / Export Stout – 8% - 330ml Bottle – Best Before 30.01.2017
Appearance: Completely black. 1 finger tan head. Beautiful lace work.
Aroma: Milky coffee, alcohol and roasted malts on the nose.
Taste: Coffee and dark chocolate followed by hops and a little warming alcohol in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and velvety. Heavy in body. Leaves the palate a little oily.
Overall: Very enjoyable big stout with lots of flavour. Far superior to any other Guinness I've ever tried before and very reasonably priced considering the quality (2.80 a bottle in Switzerland). 8.5 / 10
★ 652 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
19.11.15
Guinness Special Export Stout (John Martin - Belgium)
Foreign / Export Stout – 8% - 330ml Bottle – Best Before 30.01.2017
Appearance: Completely black. 1 finger tan head. Beautiful lace work.
Aroma: Milky coffee, alcohol and roasted malts on the nose.
Taste: Coffee and dark chocolate followed by hops and a little warming alcohol in the finish.
Mouthfeel: Smooth and velvety. Heavy in body. Leaves the palate a little oily.
Overall: Very enjoyable big stout with lots of flavour. Far superior to any other Guinness I've ever tried before and very reasonably priced considering the quality (2.80 a bottle in Switzerland). 8.5 / 10
★ 652 characters
2.75/5 rDev -34.5%
Review: Bottle of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, 7.5%ABV
Comes in the well known dark bottle, Guinness Special Extra Stout is a beer with its own unique taste. Can I find the classic Guinness taste in this Foreign Extra version?
Pours the expected pitch black colour with a tan whitish head that didn't last too long, with little lacing.
A very strong aroma of dark cocoa, coffee and roasted malts. The smell is quite strong on the nose.
The taste was powerful. Now I know why in Africa they use the slogan "Guinness gives you power!" It was a very strong tasting stout, with a long bitter aftertaste, that had a bite to it. Overall a good strong stout, tasting of roasted malt with traces of coffee. As you would expect with a Guinness stout the flavours are complex and well balanced, making it one of the worlds richest tasting beers. Still not as good as a pint of the real black stuff beside the Liffey, Dublin town.
★ 925 characters
Review: Bottle of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, 7.5%ABV
Comes in the well known dark bottle, Guinness Special Extra Stout is a beer with its own unique taste. Can I find the classic Guinness taste in this Foreign Extra version?
Pours the expected pitch black colour with a tan whitish head that didn't last too long, with little lacing.
A very strong aroma of dark cocoa, coffee and roasted malts. The smell is quite strong on the nose.
The taste was powerful. Now I know why in Africa they use the slogan "Guinness gives you power!" It was a very strong tasting stout, with a long bitter aftertaste, that had a bite to it. Overall a good strong stout, tasting of roasted malt with traces of coffee. As you would expect with a Guinness stout the flavours are complex and well balanced, making it one of the worlds richest tasting beers. Still not as good as a pint of the real black stuff beside the Liffey, Dublin town.
★ 925 characters
4.12/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle. Best before 2017-03-02.
A: Opaque black. Poured 3 fingers high of head.
S: Raspberry. Moderate roasted aroma. Some chocolate and nuts.
T: Moderate roasted flavor. Raspberry. Slightly chocolate. Mildly sweetness. Moderate bitterness.
M: Medium high body. High carbonation.
O: Flavorful and balanced. Not too thick or sweet.
★ 337 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
330ml bottle. Best before 2017-03-02.
A: Opaque black. Poured 3 fingers high of head.
S: Raspberry. Moderate roasted aroma. Some chocolate and nuts.
T: Moderate roasted flavor. Raspberry. Slightly chocolate. Mildly sweetness. Moderate bitterness.
M: Medium high body. High carbonation.
O: Flavorful and balanced. Not too thick or sweet.
★ 337 characters
4/5 rDev -4.8%
Review based on BJCP2008 guidelines (style 13D). Bottle 33 cl - Batch L4120. AROMA: sweet and vinous alcoholic like aroma with roasted and coffee notes. some dry grapes aromas. low non existent hop aromas. no diacetyl. APPEARANCE: deep brown color and opaque. nice large and moussy tanned head with good retention. TASTE: roasted grains dominate with some coffee and cacao notes. medium-high bitterness that lingers into the aftertaste with very low to none hop flavours. alcohol notes present with very low diacetyl. finishes somewhat dry. PALATE: médium body with a velvety like texture. some warming impression present. moderate carbonation. OVERALL: a nice export stout with very pronounced roasted flavour, velvety texture and a bit on the dry side.
★ 755 characters
Review based on BJCP2008 guidelines (style 13D). Bottle 33 cl - Batch L4120. AROMA: sweet and vinous alcoholic like aroma with roasted and coffee notes. some dry grapes aromas. low non existent hop aromas. no diacetyl. APPEARANCE: deep brown color and opaque. nice large and moussy tanned head with good retention. TASTE: roasted grains dominate with some coffee and cacao notes. medium-high bitterness that lingers into the aftertaste with very low to none hop flavours. alcohol notes present with very low diacetyl. finishes somewhat dry. PALATE: médium body with a velvety like texture. some warming impression present. moderate carbonation. OVERALL: a nice export stout with very pronounced roasted flavour, velvety texture and a bit on the dry side.
★ 755 characters
4.52/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Long lasting head. Smell and taste of coffee and chocolate dominates when cooled. When warmed - black currant, dried dark fruits and nuts. Creamy, moderate to full body. One of the best strong stouts/porters out there. Creaminess reminded me of Draught, nutiness of 5.0 bottled version.
★ 286 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Long lasting head. Smell and taste of coffee and chocolate dominates when cooled. When warmed - black currant, dried dark fruits and nuts. Creamy, moderate to full body. One of the best strong stouts/porters out there. Creaminess reminded me of Draught, nutiness of 5.0 bottled version.
★ 286 characters
4.55/5 rDev +8.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Dark Brown almost black, opaque with amber tinge at the edge when held to the light, lots of carbonation, a finger of tan head with a slight cherry tinge.
S: Cherries, licorice, toasted malts and molasses in addition to the typical Guinness smells.
T: Toasted malts, molasses with hints of cherries and licorice, light sweetness, coffee.
M: Medium thick body with a light syrupy weight, medium carbonation.
O: Taste like a cross between a Guinness and a Belgian dubble or dark ale. More complex and sweeter than your average Guinness.
★ 541 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
A: Dark Brown almost black, opaque with amber tinge at the edge when held to the light, lots of carbonation, a finger of tan head with a slight cherry tinge.
S: Cherries, licorice, toasted malts and molasses in addition to the typical Guinness smells.
T: Toasted malts, molasses with hints of cherries and licorice, light sweetness, coffee.
M: Medium thick body with a light syrupy weight, medium carbonation.
O: Taste like a cross between a Guinness and a Belgian dubble or dark ale. More complex and sweeter than your average Guinness.
★ 541 characters
3.87/5 rDev -7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
A: completely impregnable dark brown, nice creamy brown head
S: candy syrup, molasses, hints if dark chocolate and prunes
T: dark roasted nuts, hints of hops, chocolate and tobacco, some malts, even a bit candy sugar syrup
M: thinner than expected, really dry, little carbonation, some warmth
O; this isn't my favourite style but it's a pretty good beer
★ 358 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.75
A: completely impregnable dark brown, nice creamy brown head
S: candy syrup, molasses, hints if dark chocolate and prunes
T: dark roasted nuts, hints of hops, chocolate and tobacco, some malts, even a bit candy sugar syrup
M: thinner than expected, really dry, little carbonation, some warmth
O; this isn't my favourite style but it's a pretty good beer
★ 358 characters
4.13/5 rDev -1.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours an austere black with an unconventional white head like the flesh of a coconut.
Nose is yeasty and fruity. Think lamb fat and soy. Like some raw meat aromas with a really fruity accompaniment.
Taste is a sexually secure roast- able to evoke all the fruits without becoming one. Lamb fat, roast and more fruits.
Mouthfeel is a slightly water-y, macro-y roast. And more fruits.
Imagine hints of the Cooper's Sparkling yeast made more subtle and fruity and crossed with a one-part macro four-parts craft roast. Interesting (and good) combination. Guinness reinvented.
★ 574 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Pours an austere black with an unconventional white head like the flesh of a coconut.
Nose is yeasty and fruity. Think lamb fat and soy. Like some raw meat aromas with a really fruity accompaniment.
Taste is a sexually secure roast- able to evoke all the fruits without becoming one. Lamb fat, roast and more fruits.
Mouthfeel is a slightly water-y, macro-y roast. And more fruits.
Imagine hints of the Cooper's Sparkling yeast made more subtle and fruity and crossed with a one-part macro four-parts craft roast. Interesting (and good) combination. Guinness reinvented.
★ 574 characters
4.52/5 rDev +7.6%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
33cl Bottle
I got this bottle from one of the trading elite, BitterBill. Happy St. Patty's Day Bill, here's to you my friend! Wow, the head on this Guinness is like that from a nitro can, very impressive. A soft pour easily conjures up two-plus fingers of incredibly creamy foam. The body is black like strong coffee and shows some flashing chestnut highlights. The head slooowly falls to one fat finger of meringue-like peaks and valleys while leaving sticky clump lacing as far as the eye can see. Impressive!
This is like no Guinness I've ever had the opportunity to imbibe. Dense roastiness kicks things off while molasses and fudge make appearances of their own. Tendrils of smoke manage to make it up through the rich maltiness and a clean alcohol brings up the rear. There are even hints of dark fruit such as plums and figs. This is a pleasant surprise.
I'm actually drinking this side by side with a Guinness Extra Stout and I don't see where these two are even close to being similar. The roastiness kicks in up front again and rides the wave all the way through the mouth. Molasses, fudge, cocoa, and those dark fruits pop in here and there to add layer upon layer of flavor to this wonderful brew. The swallow has a touch of heat but no sign of alcohol beyond that.
The mouthfeel is spot on with carbonation on the low side and a hefty enough body to coat the tongue. There's a slight slickness left behind and a somewhat powdery feel on the drying finish. The touch of heat on the swallow warms my chest after each sip.
This bottle is disappearing far too quickly and it's my only one. If this was available around here a 6-pack would go down on an evening like this without a problem, besides the buzz of course, which usually isn't a problem.
I don't know what to say about this brew. It's one of the best of one of my favorite styles. I figured good things for this brew but I'm blown away! Thanks again for this wonderful treat Bill! If you order anymore let me know.
Reviewed: 3/17/09
★ 2,010 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
33cl Bottle
I got this bottle from one of the trading elite, BitterBill. Happy St. Patty's Day Bill, here's to you my friend! Wow, the head on this Guinness is like that from a nitro can, very impressive. A soft pour easily conjures up two-plus fingers of incredibly creamy foam. The body is black like strong coffee and shows some flashing chestnut highlights. The head slooowly falls to one fat finger of meringue-like peaks and valleys while leaving sticky clump lacing as far as the eye can see. Impressive!
This is like no Guinness I've ever had the opportunity to imbibe. Dense roastiness kicks things off while molasses and fudge make appearances of their own. Tendrils of smoke manage to make it up through the rich maltiness and a clean alcohol brings up the rear. There are even hints of dark fruit such as plums and figs. This is a pleasant surprise.
I'm actually drinking this side by side with a Guinness Extra Stout and I don't see where these two are even close to being similar. The roastiness kicks in up front again and rides the wave all the way through the mouth. Molasses, fudge, cocoa, and those dark fruits pop in here and there to add layer upon layer of flavor to this wonderful brew. The swallow has a touch of heat but no sign of alcohol beyond that.
The mouthfeel is spot on with carbonation on the low side and a hefty enough body to coat the tongue. There's a slight slickness left behind and a somewhat powdery feel on the drying finish. The touch of heat on the swallow warms my chest after each sip.
This bottle is disappearing far too quickly and it's my only one. If this was available around here a 6-pack would go down on an evening like this without a problem, besides the buzz of course, which usually isn't a problem.
I don't know what to say about this brew. It's one of the best of one of my favorite styles. I figured good things for this brew but I'm blown away! Thanks again for this wonderful treat Bill! If you order anymore let me know.
Reviewed: 3/17/09
★ 2,010 characters
3.99/5 rDev -5%
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
Nice lookin beer. Pitch black with a tan head that sticks around.
Understated aroma. Nice and chocolaty, with considerable sweetness, and maybe some figs, but not too pronounced.
It's full flavored, and full-bodied. Lots of chocolate and sweetness, with a nice roasted touch to it that could be, and for me should be, a larger part of the flavor profile. A little bitterness from the roast, and probably a little more from the hops, though I wasn't able to perceive any hop flavor in this one.
Full, rich mouthfeel. Not too thin for the style, not too big, just right.
A good big stout, though I wish there was some kind of slight hop flavor there, and I'm not one who generally likes super-hopped stouts.
★ 707 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
Nice lookin beer. Pitch black with a tan head that sticks around.
Understated aroma. Nice and chocolaty, with considerable sweetness, and maybe some figs, but not too pronounced.
It's full flavored, and full-bodied. Lots of chocolate and sweetness, with a nice roasted touch to it that could be, and for me should be, a larger part of the flavor profile. A little bitterness from the roast, and probably a little more from the hops, though I wasn't able to perceive any hop flavor in this one.
Full, rich mouthfeel. Not too thin for the style, not too big, just right.
A good big stout, though I wish there was some kind of slight hop flavor there, and I'm not one who generally likes super-hopped stouts.
★ 707 characters
4.67/5 rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had a chance to try this beer again while in Greece. The Foreign Extra Stout has become my favorite Guinness in the US so I wanted to have another taste of this guy to see who would win out. I would say no doubt that this is my favorite Guinness stout and rates high overall on the stouts I like. Even though not classified an Imperial stout, the alcohol content is high. It lacks the bitterness of a regular Guinness; it is almost sweet. Pours a dark black colour with no head. I don't know if it is served on tap anywhere but I would like to try it if it is.
★ 562 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
I had a chance to try this beer again while in Greece. The Foreign Extra Stout has become my favorite Guinness in the US so I wanted to have another taste of this guy to see who would win out. I would say no doubt that this is my favorite Guinness stout and rates high overall on the stouts I like. Even though not classified an Imperial stout, the alcohol content is high. It lacks the bitterness of a regular Guinness; it is almost sweet. Pours a dark black colour with no head. I don't know if it is served on tap anywhere but I would like to try it if it is.
★ 562 characters
3.75/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle dated 30-09-13
Poured into a big wine glass. Fairly dark but the black body gives way to brown highlights. The head is thick and fluffy with bigger bubbles interspersed on top. Settles down fairly quickly but sticks around well.
Dark fruit and roast dominate the smell on this at first but there is some dark chocolate fudginess as well that comes out making this really inviting.
The taste is of dark fruit, a little roast and chocolate.
Smooth although fairly fizzy with a medium body.
Not super flavorful but very nice.
★ 536 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
Bottle dated 30-09-13
Poured into a big wine glass. Fairly dark but the black body gives way to brown highlights. The head is thick and fluffy with bigger bubbles interspersed on top. Settles down fairly quickly but sticks around well.
Dark fruit and roast dominate the smell on this at first but there is some dark chocolate fudginess as well that comes out making this really inviting.
The taste is of dark fruit, a little roast and chocolate.
Smooth although fairly fizzy with a medium body.
Not super flavorful but very nice.
★ 536 characters
4.22/5 rDev +0.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle, 24-11-13 00:49 printed on back label. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with a half inch tan head. Head retention is decent, and there's a good amount of lacing. The brew smells like roasted malt, licorice, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, and some caramel. I think the taste is mostly like the aroma, but there's the addition of some burnt/charred malt. It starts off bitter, but gets sweeter as the beer warms up more. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's slick and creamy with moderate carbonation. The 8% ABV is well hidden in this brew. I think it's a good overall brew, I liked it.
★ 613 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
330 ml bottle, 24-11-13 00:49 printed on back label. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with a half inch tan head. Head retention is decent, and there's a good amount of lacing. The brew smells like roasted malt, licorice, bittersweet chocolate, coffee, and some caramel. I think the taste is mostly like the aroma, but there's the addition of some burnt/charred malt. It starts off bitter, but gets sweeter as the beer warms up more. Mouthfeel/body is medium, it's slick and creamy with moderate carbonation. The 8% ABV is well hidden in this brew. I think it's a good overall brew, I liked it.
★ 613 characters
4/5 rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a 33cl La Trappe but Duvel style glass.
An almost black but dark brownish beer with an off-white head with good retention.
Strong stout aroma's in this one: roast, liquorice, dark chocolate and dark fruity sweetness.
Tastes of dark fruits followed by roastiness. Quite a good hop bitterness in here as well. I also get liquorice and other typical stout flavours. A bit complex and hard to describe prehaps but nicely drinkable and certainly very full flavoured.
A thick and creamy mouthfeel with medium carbonation.
Overal a good stout and the only stout sold at most supermarket chains in my country so that's a plus.
★ 634 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured into a 33cl La Trappe but Duvel style glass.
An almost black but dark brownish beer with an off-white head with good retention.
Strong stout aroma's in this one: roast, liquorice, dark chocolate and dark fruity sweetness.
Tastes of dark fruits followed by roastiness. Quite a good hop bitterness in here as well. I also get liquorice and other typical stout flavours. A bit complex and hard to describe prehaps but nicely drinkable and certainly very full flavoured.
A thick and creamy mouthfeel with medium carbonation.
Overal a good stout and the only stout sold at most supermarket chains in my country so that's a plus.
★ 634 characters
3.59/5 rDev -14.5%
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Nice deep black beer with a beautiful head.
S: The smell of fudge, the smell has a tasty sweet smell.
T: The tastes of licorice, chocolate and caramel.
M: Good carbonation and a reasonable foam feel.
O: Good drinkable beer with a normal aftertaste.
★ 255 characters
look: 5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A: Nice deep black beer with a beautiful head.
S: The smell of fudge, the smell has a tasty sweet smell.
T: The tastes of licorice, chocolate and caramel.
M: Good carbonation and a reasonable foam feel.
O: Good drinkable beer with a normal aftertaste.
★ 255 characters
4.28/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
300ml bottle.
Pours black with a small brown head, just as a stout should look.
Smell: Chocolate, caramel, malts, coffee and a little raisin. Quite sweet smelling.
Taste & mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy with chocolate, malt and caramel goodness, a little sweet but not too sweet. It finishes dry and with a coffee or cocoa bitter and some roasted malts in the flavour. There are some notes of booziness and raisins throughout that tie it all together.
Overall: This is simply a very good stout, it is as a stout should be. It's not shocking or special or strange but it sets the bar for all other stouts.
★ 608 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4
300ml bottle.
Pours black with a small brown head, just as a stout should look.
Smell: Chocolate, caramel, malts, coffee and a little raisin. Quite sweet smelling.
Taste & mouthfeel: Full bodied and creamy with chocolate, malt and caramel goodness, a little sweet but not too sweet. It finishes dry and with a coffee or cocoa bitter and some roasted malts in the flavour. There are some notes of booziness and raisins throughout that tie it all together.
Overall: This is simply a very good stout, it is as a stout should be. It's not shocking or special or strange but it sets the bar for all other stouts.
★ 608 characters
4.33/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bought in the Netherlands, poured from a bottle of 300 ml. Colour is a very dark brown, almost black if not against light. Pours a thick beige head, which is leaving heavy lacing around the glass as it goes down. Aroma is chocolate and coffee. The taste follows the aroma, bitter chocolate with a sweet finish. Tick in body with average carbonation. The high ABV is there but it goes unnoticeable until you think about it. Overall a great dark beer!
★ 449 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bought in the Netherlands, poured from a bottle of 300 ml. Colour is a very dark brown, almost black if not against light. Pours a thick beige head, which is leaving heavy lacing around the glass as it goes down. Aroma is chocolate and coffee. The taste follows the aroma, bitter chocolate with a sweet finish. Tick in body with average carbonation. The high ABV is there but it goes unnoticeable until you think about it. Overall a great dark beer!
★ 449 characters
4.14/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - A super dark red beer with a good beige head, that unfortunately retracts to a small layer.
S - Coffee and dark chocolate. There is also some strange scent prickling my nose which I cannot bring home.
T - Again coffee and chocolate - a nice dry bitter beer.
M - Medium carbonation and a medium dry finish and thickness.
O - A good stout totally nothing wrong here.
★ 372 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A - A super dark red beer with a good beige head, that unfortunately retracts to a small layer.
S - Coffee and dark chocolate. There is also some strange scent prickling my nose which I cannot bring home.
T - Again coffee and chocolate - a nice dry bitter beer.
M - Medium carbonation and a medium dry finish and thickness.
O - A good stout totally nothing wrong here.
★ 372 characters
4.1/5 rDev -2.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours jet black with a tan head. In the aroma, sweet roasted malt and a small bitterness. In the taste, roasted malts, a sweetness, a note of alcohol and a dry hop in the end. A bitter and medium to bigger bodied mouthfeel , with a dry chocolate roast in the aftertaste. It is like an imperial stout, or Guinness on steroids.
★ 325 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Pours jet black with a tan head. In the aroma, sweet roasted malt and a small bitterness. In the taste, roasted malts, a sweetness, a note of alcohol and a dry hop in the end. A bitter and medium to bigger bodied mouthfeel , with a dry chocolate roast in the aftertaste. It is like an imperial stout, or Guinness on steroids.
★ 325 characters
4.06/5 rDev -3.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
330ml bottle
A- Black (or extremely dark brown) colour. Two finger, dense, very light brown head. Great retention at first, just a little ring after some sips. Loads of lacing on the glass
S- Quite weak, even after head has receded, but nice. Creamy chocolate aroma, with notes of nut and raisin. A light alcoholic note in the back. Maybe a hint of leafy hops as well. Overall this is much sweeter than expected
T- Very sweet as the aroma suggested. Rich, full chocolate taste, but really on the sweet side with a delicate caramel malt foundation to it. Nut, alcohol, maybe liquorice notes all blend very well and bring complexity. Finishes with a refreshing hint of bitterness. Not the slightest hint of roastiness
M- Medium body and just a hint of carbonation. Wonderfully delicate on both tongue and palate, but somehow still a dense, full creamy mouthfeel
O- Delicate and rich. Extremely drinkable but still nicely complex, perfectly balanced. Even quite refreshing, which is great to be found in a strong stout
★ 1,020 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
330ml bottle
A- Black (or extremely dark brown) colour. Two finger, dense, very light brown head. Great retention at first, just a little ring after some sips. Loads of lacing on the glass
S- Quite weak, even after head has receded, but nice. Creamy chocolate aroma, with notes of nut and raisin. A light alcoholic note in the back. Maybe a hint of leafy hops as well. Overall this is much sweeter than expected
T- Very sweet as the aroma suggested. Rich, full chocolate taste, but really on the sweet side with a delicate caramel malt foundation to it. Nut, alcohol, maybe liquorice notes all blend very well and bring complexity. Finishes with a refreshing hint of bitterness. Not the slightest hint of roastiness
M- Medium body and just a hint of carbonation. Wonderfully delicate on both tongue and palate, but somehow still a dense, full creamy mouthfeel
O- Delicate and rich. Extremely drinkable but still nicely complex, perfectly balanced. Even quite refreshing, which is great to be found in a strong stout
★ 1,020 characters
Guinness Special Export Stout (John Martin - Belgium) from Guinness Ltd.
4.2
out of 5
based on 283 ratings.
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Great beer. Stronger, sweeter and a bit more bitter than Guinness West Indies Porter. But in my opinion less subtle and sophisticated. What I love about the West Indies is that it needs your nose to give depth to the flavor. West Indies smells divine. This Guinness special has a weaker smell, although it makes up with a bolder and somewhat fuller flavor, a bit Belgian styled.
The sweetness lingers a bit too long, the West indies is a bit dryer which I prefer.
But apart from that this really is a great beer.
★ 512 characters