't Smisje Great Reserva
Brouwerij Smisje
- From:
- Brouwerij Smisje
- Belgium
- Style:
- Belgian Dark Strong Ale
- ABV:
- 10%
- Score:
- 82
- Avg:
- 3.54 | pDev: 14.41%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 28
- Status:
- Retired
- Rated:
- Oct 28, 2019
- Added:
- Jan 03, 2009
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 2
SCORE
82
Good
82
Good
Catherine the Great Imperial Stout aged in Cognac barrels.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by ColForbinBC:
Reviewed by ColForbinBC from New Jersey
3.79/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.79/5 rDev +7.1%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
11.2oz bottle poured into a snifter, split with Keanlacrosse
The body pours an ice tea color with a thin off white cap. Not much retention or lacing. The nose is of sticky caramel, candied granny smith apples, pear skins, oak tannins, and cognac. Light earth, leather, and tobacco poke through as it warms. On the palate, oak tannins, caramel, and candied tart apple skins hit first. Caramel, earth, leather, toffee, and tobacco notes come through before a finish that is sweet and tart. Alcohol warming is hugely present, making this an ideal sipper. Medium body with minimal carbonation. This is an enjoyable after dinner sipper. Complex flavors and aromas and just plain tasty.
Nov 10, 2012The body pours an ice tea color with a thin off white cap. Not much retention or lacing. The nose is of sticky caramel, candied granny smith apples, pear skins, oak tannins, and cognac. Light earth, leather, and tobacco poke through as it warms. On the palate, oak tannins, caramel, and candied tart apple skins hit first. Caramel, earth, leather, toffee, and tobacco notes come through before a finish that is sweet and tart. Alcohol warming is hugely present, making this an ideal sipper. Medium body with minimal carbonation. This is an enjoyable after dinner sipper. Complex flavors and aromas and just plain tasty.
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by Sammy from Canada (ON)
3.77/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.77/5 rDev +6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
big cognac-like taste. Unbalanced, and boozy with so much cognac character. Lighter mouthfeel than could be. A bit of chocolate. Could have used more balance, but quaffable.
Oct 28, 2019
Reviewed by Offa from California
2.96/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
2.96/5 rDev -16.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
My bottle said Smisje Great Reserva Catherine the Great and indicated that it was an imperial stout aged in Cognac barrels, 10% abv.
It was an ok beer, but simple and a bit one-dimensional, harsh & boozy.
Hazy dark brown, thin ring of bubbles - off-white.
Aroma was fermented caramelised dried figs and sherry, not really what I'd call an imperial stout aroma.
Taste was woody wine, vague hints of sherry and dried fig, quite boozy, a bit sweet and zesty, hint of caramelised grain in finish. It is a decent sipping beer, but not one I'd ever choose again, being one-dimensional and boozy.
Feb 17, 2014It was an ok beer, but simple and a bit one-dimensional, harsh & boozy.
Hazy dark brown, thin ring of bubbles - off-white.
Aroma was fermented caramelised dried figs and sherry, not really what I'd call an imperial stout aroma.
Taste was woody wine, vague hints of sherry and dried fig, quite boozy, a bit sweet and zesty, hint of caramelised grain in finish. It is a decent sipping beer, but not one I'd ever choose again, being one-dimensional and boozy.
Reviewed by stuppy from Maryland
2.64/5 rDev -25.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
2.64/5 rDev -25.4%
look: 2 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5
Appearance: light brown, opaque, light tan head when poured, leaves small ring around glass,
Aroma: Dark fruits, oak, vanilla, some sour notes. Cognac/rum like qualities, alcohol
Flavor: Caramel, oak, strong vanilla, cognac, alcohol strong on finish
Mouthfeel: med heavy body, med carbonation,
Overall: Very barrel forward. Heavy cognac and lots of alcohol. Not very pleasant looking. Not a Stout as described on bottle, nor as a Belgian Dark Strong as listed on Beer Advocate. Will not have again. Bottle says "t' Smisje Catherine the Great Stout Man Cognac Barrels", google translate wasn't working properly the day they decide on label as I am not sure what that means.
Feb 05, 2014Aroma: Dark fruits, oak, vanilla, some sour notes. Cognac/rum like qualities, alcohol
Flavor: Caramel, oak, strong vanilla, cognac, alcohol strong on finish
Mouthfeel: med heavy body, med carbonation,
Overall: Very barrel forward. Heavy cognac and lots of alcohol. Not very pleasant looking. Not a Stout as described on bottle, nor as a Belgian Dark Strong as listed on Beer Advocate. Will not have again. Bottle says "t' Smisje Catherine the Great Stout Man Cognac Barrels", google translate wasn't working properly the day they decide on label as I am not sure what that means.
Reviewed by nUgZ from North Carolina
3.56/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.56/5 rDev +0.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
11.2 ounce bottle poured into a snifter.
A: Pours a dark amber color with a half finger head and minimal lacing.
S: Sour fruits and cognac. Sour.
T: Lots of cognac, oak, vanilla, and some fruity flavors. Again, sour. Alcohol is evident.
M: Medium bodied with light carbonation.
O: This is not my style, but it's not all that bad. More barrel evidence than there is of the base beer though.
Jan 30, 2013A: Pours a dark amber color with a half finger head and minimal lacing.
S: Sour fruits and cognac. Sour.
T: Lots of cognac, oak, vanilla, and some fruity flavors. Again, sour. Alcohol is evident.
M: Medium bodied with light carbonation.
O: This is not my style, but it's not all that bad. More barrel evidence than there is of the base beer though.
Reviewed by popery from California
3.2/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
3.2/5 rDev -9.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
New batch, picked it up in August or so, I think. This beer pours a brownish amber. Though fairly hazy, it's still pretty easy to see through and looks lighter than expected. Very little head, just a ring of khaki bubbles after a few seconds. The aroma is heavy on the cognac in a rather indelicate manner. There's some nice sweetness and complexity in there, but it's behind a wave of vinous booze. Cocoa and Belgian earthiness are further in the background. Some caramel sweetness. The taste has similar faults. It's just a bit harsh. Fairly sweet, lots of wood, lots of cognac. Mouthfeel is heavy and a tad harsh, though fine, really. To be honest, it's started to grow on me, but I'm still not a big fan. I think they needed a lighter touch with the barrel-aging, but it might also just be a harsh base beer, to boot.
Oct 26, 2012
Reviewed by corby112 from Pennsylvania
3.15/5 rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
3.15/5 rDev -11%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Pours a dark chestnut brown color that's completely opaque with amber edges and a one finger off-white head that settles into a lasting ring. Sporadic spots of lace left behind.
Boozy whiskey barrel aroma that slightly overpowers the characteristics of the base beer. Some dry oak, vanilla and toasted coconut along with a very prominent cognac/whiskey presence. Smells more like liquor than beer until it warms up considerably and the malt notes come forward.
Medium bodied with an explosion of hot, boozy whiskey that dominates the flavor, covering up almost everything from the base beer. All barrel character with dry oak, vanilla and a very strong cognac flavor. I like whiskey and the flavor is pretty good but it demolishes all of the other notes. It takes a while for the palate adjust and the other elements to come forward. Subtle hints of spicy rye, caramel and toffee. If you are a cognac/whiskey lover than you might enjoy it but it's very one dimensional and kind of boring.
Aug 09, 2012Boozy whiskey barrel aroma that slightly overpowers the characteristics of the base beer. Some dry oak, vanilla and toasted coconut along with a very prominent cognac/whiskey presence. Smells more like liquor than beer until it warms up considerably and the malt notes come forward.
Medium bodied with an explosion of hot, boozy whiskey that dominates the flavor, covering up almost everything from the base beer. All barrel character with dry oak, vanilla and a very strong cognac flavor. I like whiskey and the flavor is pretty good but it demolishes all of the other notes. It takes a while for the palate adjust and the other elements to come forward. Subtle hints of spicy rye, caramel and toffee. If you are a cognac/whiskey lover than you might enjoy it but it's very one dimensional and kind of boring.
Reviewed by brystmar from Texas
2.33/5 rDev -34.2%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
2.33/5 rDev -34.2%
look: 4 | smell: 1 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5
Stubby old bottle thanks to blatantdream.
Good appearance: sticky lace above a brown body, solid retention on the head. Aroma started off unpleasant but intensified as it warmed to become offensively bad. Rotten barrels, burnt smokey wood, ok I'm gonna stop smelling it for components because it's AWFUL.
Taste follows suit, unfortunately. Spoiled malts, disgusting barrel character. That's enough; drain pour incoming. Avoid.
Aug 03, 2012Good appearance: sticky lace above a brown body, solid retention on the head. Aroma started off unpleasant but intensified as it warmed to become offensively bad. Rotten barrels, burnt smokey wood, ok I'm gonna stop smelling it for components because it's AWFUL.
Taste follows suit, unfortunately. Spoiled malts, disgusting barrel character. That's enough; drain pour incoming. Avoid.
Reviewed by feloniousmonk from Minnesota
4.32/5 rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.32/5 rDev +22%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
't Smisje Catherine the Great Imperial Stout Man Cognac Barrels. (Wait, that doesn't make sense.)
't Smisje Great Reserva, brewed & bottled by Smisje, Oudenaarde, Belgium. No other information. Except, 10% Alc/Vol.
Well, let's find out what it is by drinking it, shall we?
Dark brown body, small, cocoa-tinged head on top, slims down to a tight ring.
Aroma: Ooooh! Aaaah! That's whiskey-up, people! Deep, dark, dank, rich, ridiculous! Maple, licorice, molasses, vanilla, and the darkest chocolate. Incredibly indulgent. Bourbon and brandy are running rampant here. Whoa.
Taste: Pow! Alcohol is not hiding, fairly prominent, practically biggish. Getting bigger, rising higher, getting stronger. Full-bodied, but not quite as full as I'd like to keep up with every other big thing in this beer. Large amount of sweetness here, terrific bourbon-y flavor.
What's the base beer? I can't say, but it's not evident, doesn't show, it's pretty much covered by the barrel-aging. Not that I care too much, it's terrifically tasty. Oh, it's just damned delicious.
Jun 25, 2012't Smisje Great Reserva, brewed & bottled by Smisje, Oudenaarde, Belgium. No other information. Except, 10% Alc/Vol.
Well, let's find out what it is by drinking it, shall we?
Dark brown body, small, cocoa-tinged head on top, slims down to a tight ring.
Aroma: Ooooh! Aaaah! That's whiskey-up, people! Deep, dark, dank, rich, ridiculous! Maple, licorice, molasses, vanilla, and the darkest chocolate. Incredibly indulgent. Bourbon and brandy are running rampant here. Whoa.
Taste: Pow! Alcohol is not hiding, fairly prominent, practically biggish. Getting bigger, rising higher, getting stronger. Full-bodied, but not quite as full as I'd like to keep up with every other big thing in this beer. Large amount of sweetness here, terrific bourbon-y flavor.
What's the base beer? I can't say, but it's not evident, doesn't show, it's pretty much covered by the barrel-aging. Not that I care too much, it's terrifically tasty. Oh, it's just damned delicious.
Reviewed by Viciousknishs from Virginia
3.82/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.82/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
A- pours a burnt orange russet color with two fingers of off white head. Ok head retention.
S- Man, if ya like cognac you should be all over this brew. Overwhelming musty oak, cognac(there it is again) and rich topsoil tones pretty much characterize the aroma. Some cherry pit and very heady alcohol hit the nose on the finish.
T- substantial cognac flavor dominates this brew with notes of musty oak, cherry pit and sugary fig. Lots o' alcohol heat on the back end that somehow works quite well. Earthy finish with some maltiness and booze lingering in the palate.
MF- sugary slick mouthfeel. Thick body with an active carb that seem to simmer down as you sip.
D- one hell of a sipper. Although its only 10 percent it drinks almost like a spirit.
Overall a very interesting beer. Wish the beer had held up to the barrel.
Mar 09, 2012S- Man, if ya like cognac you should be all over this brew. Overwhelming musty oak, cognac(there it is again) and rich topsoil tones pretty much characterize the aroma. Some cherry pit and very heady alcohol hit the nose on the finish.
T- substantial cognac flavor dominates this brew with notes of musty oak, cherry pit and sugary fig. Lots o' alcohol heat on the back end that somehow works quite well. Earthy finish with some maltiness and booze lingering in the palate.
MF- sugary slick mouthfeel. Thick body with an active carb that seem to simmer down as you sip.
D- one hell of a sipper. Although its only 10 percent it drinks almost like a spirit.
Overall a very interesting beer. Wish the beer had held up to the barrel.
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