Flying Buffalo - Double Barrel Reserve
Griffin Claw Brewing Company
- From:
- Griffin Claw Brewing Company
- Michigan, United States
- Style:
- American Imperial Stout
Ranked #637 - ABV:
- 12%
- Score:
- 92
Ranked #6,342 - Avg:
- 4.27 | pDev: 5.85%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 6
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 11, 2024
- Added:
- Mar 20, 2020
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 1
SCORE
92
Outstanding
92
Outstanding
This extra special reserve Russian Imperial Stout went through our strict Flying Buffalo aging process in bourbon barrels for 10 months before a second sleep of 4 months in freshly emptied Rye Whiskey barrels. Under the watchful eye of our head brewmaster, this double barrel process results in a complex, smooth, smoky, earthy, oaky, and intensely delicious stout experience. Possibly the most intricate Buffalo yet to take flight.
55 IBU
55 IBU
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by The_Snow_Bird from Michigan
4.73/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.73/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Pours jets black with no head on top. Has a very sweet smell with a strong presence of the barrel. Taste is on dark fruits, roasted coffee with hints of bourbon.
Jul 11, 2024
Reviewed by TreyIsWilson from Michigan
4.24/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.24/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - Pours pitch black with a fizzy tan head. Light clingy finish.
S - Aroma is rye whiskey, chocolate, roasted malts and black coffee.
T - The taste is milk chocolate, caramel, coffee, charred oak, spicy rye and a warm whiskey finish.
M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Chewy mouthfeel with a soft crisp finish.
O - Really nice whiskey aged stout. Drinks hotter than 12%.
Aug 18, 2023S - Aroma is rye whiskey, chocolate, roasted malts and black coffee.
T - The taste is milk chocolate, caramel, coffee, charred oak, spicy rye and a warm whiskey finish.
M - Medium body with medium carbonation. Chewy mouthfeel with a soft crisp finish.
O - Really nice whiskey aged stout. Drinks hotter than 12%.
Reviewed by klarcbarr3 from Michigan
4.46/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.46/5 rDev +4.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
Color: Deepest brown / black.
Head: Zero
Aroma: spicy, herbal notes wafting among the chocolate coffee malt foundation.
Smell: Oak wood, chocolate, coffee, whiskey, earthy and sweet
Taste: Decadent. Sweet, but not overly so. Oak, whiskey, malt, cocoa, cocoanut. Deep, rich, and smooth.
Mouth feel: Slightly sticky, not excessively, given the style and ABV.
Overall: Enjoyable, boozy, better than the sum of the above description.
May 02, 2023Head: Zero
Aroma: spicy, herbal notes wafting among the chocolate coffee malt foundation.
Smell: Oak wood, chocolate, coffee, whiskey, earthy and sweet
Taste: Decadent. Sweet, but not overly so. Oak, whiskey, malt, cocoa, cocoanut. Deep, rich, and smooth.
Mouth feel: Slightly sticky, not excessively, given the style and ABV.
Overall: Enjoyable, boozy, better than the sum of the above description.
Reviewed by Phoodcritic from Michigan
4.11/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.11/5 rDev -3.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Appearance is a bit thin for the style. Slight head and lacing. Having a pleasing aroma that is not followed by a similarly flavorful taste brings this rating down a notch. It’s too hot right now and will likely become less boozy if aged.
Nov 29, 2022
Reviewed by Doczx from Georgia
4.77/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
4.77/5 rDev +11.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Very strong and follows the footsteps of a dragons milk, yet heartier and more robust. An excellent Bourbon barrel aged choice for sure. Extra heavy on the Bourbon.
Nov 16, 2022
Reviewed by strohme2 from Michigan
4.21/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev -1.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
16 ounce can picked up from a fresh release at the brewery. Poured into a tulip.
As it pours it is a very deep brown but as it sits in the glass it appears to be a perfect black. Fine bubbled but undersized head. Killer nose! Coconut, chocolate, cola, a fair amount of bourbon and a bit of alcohol.
This is a complex beer and I’ll do my best to describe it. Oak and bourbon seem to be my first impression from this beer followed by a bit of rye spice. Next comes mild roast, coconut, vanilla, caramel, raisins, molasses, earthiness.
I’m a bit of a stout snob, I always want that smooth and chewy body. Unfortunately this isn’t it. While it does feel smooth it just doesn’t have that thickness that I need with my big stouts. I was generous with this rating.
Overall I feel like this is a solidly executed beer. Bump up that mouthfeel, bump up that score.
Mar 20, 2020As it pours it is a very deep brown but as it sits in the glass it appears to be a perfect black. Fine bubbled but undersized head. Killer nose! Coconut, chocolate, cola, a fair amount of bourbon and a bit of alcohol.
This is a complex beer and I’ll do my best to describe it. Oak and bourbon seem to be my first impression from this beer followed by a bit of rye spice. Next comes mild roast, coconut, vanilla, caramel, raisins, molasses, earthiness.
I’m a bit of a stout snob, I always want that smooth and chewy body. Unfortunately this isn’t it. While it does feel smooth it just doesn’t have that thickness that I need with my big stouts. I was generous with this rating.
Overall I feel like this is a solidly executed beer. Bump up that mouthfeel, bump up that score.
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!