Bourbon Barrel Aged Night Whale
Rhinegeist Brewery

Looks and smell are same as '22. The taste seems richer, more chocolate-forward with a fine whiskey undercurrent below the sweetness. The mouthfeel also seems denser, richer; soft, chewy, pillowy.

This vintage takes the edge (subjectively evaluated) from the 2022 vintage.

ABV: 15.0%; pouring temperature: 55.4 °F; bottling info: Vintage 2023
Source: Tavour

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November 30th, 2023 ratings, scores, and review:

4.0 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.25; BA weighted overall score: 4.24; rDev: +1.9%

Clear, dark pour, opaque black appearance in the glass; thin yet lasting tan colored head. Pleasant nose; dark roasted grains, cocoa, barrel wood. Nice, balanced flavor; chocolate and bourbon; vanilla. Great mouthfeel; viscous and silky on the palate; a fair bit of whiskey warmth yet balanced with residual sugars.

This fantastic barrel aged imperial stout comes across balanced and complex. The chocolate seems a bit like milk chocolate (although that may just be the vanilla coming into play). The bourbon barrel is not over-the-top and balances nicely with the base beer character.

Pouring temperature: 38 °F; bottling info: VINTAGE 2022
Source: Tavour

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.9 ounce bottle, 2020 vintage, 15.8% ABV. Served in a snifter, the beer pours dark brown/black with about a half inch tan head that didn't stick around for too long. Decent amount of lacing. Aroma is nice, the brew smells like vanilla, bourbon, roasted malt, cocoa, coffee and oak. For the most part I think the taste is similar to the aroma, but with the addition of some burnt/charred malt, molasses and dark fruit. Good amount of barrel character in both the aroma and taste. Mouthfeel/body is full, it's a bit slick and creamy with a moderate amount of carbonation. I thought this was a pretty good overall barrel aged imperial stout, definitely worth picking up if you come across some! $13.99 a bottle.

 

 

 

22 oz bottle in a snifter.
Pitch lack with a thin brown cap.
Spicy, roasty notes, hint of bakers chocolate, full body.
A fantastic stout, really enjoyed this one!

 

 

Taking imperial to a whole new imperial status, the brewers at Rhinegeist are no strangers to barrel aging or big stouts. But elevating both upwards of fifteen percent alcohol is certainly pushing things a bit.

Jet black and cast in an onyx-like mirror sheen, Night Whale releases a patient sandy tan froth and then a spicy, roasty, grilled fruit aroma. Bold in its char and alcohol spice, the beer leads into taste with a savory, moderately sweet roasted character of burnt sorghum, baker's chocolate and slightly sweetened coffee.

Its moderate carbonation bounces off of the tongue and highlights the immense char on the middle palate. Cocoa, Turkish coffee, roasted walnuts and a host of burnt sugars provide a highly savory taste that links up with a woodsy late palate filled with roast derived bitterness, light ash and a tremendous amount of fresh whisky spice. A grilled fruit essence of red grape, blueberry and currant balances against a peppery earthiness of fennel and anise for a complex, slightly vinous closure.

Full bodied but with a drying sense, the stubborn alcohol spice, wood tannins, spice and char all assist an arid finish even at the risk of being slightly ashy. The dry roasted character gives the ale a good sense of drinkability and savory flavor but in the end the prickling heat of the beer makes it a lumbered and aggressive taste.

From the 22 oz bottle in a snifter. This mighty fine imperial pours a
murky blackish brown with a decent head of light tan foam that settles
to a thin ring, subtle swirling layer, and sports light lacing. Nose of
mild coffee, dark chocolate, subtle char, raisin, light oak, and touches of
bruised dark fruit. Flavors surpass the nose with a dark sweet chocolate
note awash in mild coffee and touches of toffee with warming booze layered
in mild balanced char and dark fruit notes. With warmth touches of rum,
raisin, and blackberry emerge with touches of oak. More resting shows
vinous notes of Merlot and Cab. Complex indeed.
Very nice mouth feel; full body, smooth, warming, rich, light
carbonation, and a rich roasted chocolate finish.

A solid brew that needs to be kept around....to age and
re-appear in the brewers profile.

ENTER THIS ONE IN CONTESTS!


Cheers