Black Dolphin
Triple Crossing Brewing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure how long i let this sit in my cellar but it may have been too long! Not bad bit mellow.

 

 

A: The beer is jet black in color and poured out of the can like motor oil. It poured with a quarter finger high mocha colored head that settled down, leaving a short tan head covering the surface.
S: Light to moderate aromas of roasted malts are present in the nose along with notes of licorice, the latter of which becomes stronger as the beer warms up.
T: From start to finish, the taste of this beer is dominated by flavors of black licorice. There are also some hints of roasted malts and a light amount of bitterness. Both the roasted and licorice flavors linger into the finish.
M: It feels full-bodied on the palate and has a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn't as roasty compared to other Russian Imperial Stouts and is a beer that more prominently features aromas and flavors of licorice. It's quite drinkable considering its strength because it did a very good job at hiding any traces of alcohol from the taste.

Serving type: can

 

Appearance: jet black while pouring and solid black with no translucence in the glass.

Aroma: chocolate with a nice subtle smokiness. It smells decandant yet savory.

Taste: very sweet and decandent at first, then the roast and char character comes through midway. Rich chocolate all over with robust molasses and brown sugar and then a faint note of bourbon at the finish.

Mouthfeel: full bodied, slick, and smooth

Overall: a superb sout that I like for its simplicity. It's well balanced, smooth and an easy imperial stout to drink.

 

 

 

 

A: Pours an opaque, thick, viscous jet black in color with moderate to heavy amounts of active visible carbonation rising quickly along the edges of the glass and very faint dark cola brown highlights. The beer has a three finger tall dense foamy very dark mocha head that slowly reduces to a large patch of thin film covering the entire surface of the beer and a thin ring at the edges of the glass. Moderate amounts of lacing are observed.

S: Moderate to strong aromas of dark roasted malts with moderate aromas of brown sugar sweetness and light to moderate aromas of dark chocolate and freshly roasted coffee.

T: Upfront there is a moderate to strong flavor of dark roasted malts with a slightly heavier than moderate amount of brown sugar sweetness. That is followed by moderate flavors of dark chocolate, freshly roasted coffee, and anise/licorice with some light flavors of dark fruit (plum + fig). Light flavors of earthy hops. Moderate amounts of lingering roasty bitterness through the finish.

M: Medium to full bodied with moderate amounts of carbonation. Slightly slick.

O: While this one is a touch sweeter than most of the other RIS beers I have had, this one was really enjoyable and the sweetness hid the alcohol presence well. Enjoyable and pretty easy to drink, considering the strength I needed to slowly sip this one.

 

 

 

 

 

Only 250 bottles made. Had it on draft. Pours a deep thick molasses black with 2 full fingers of tan fluffy head that lingered for a few minutes before dissolving into a nice oily black surface. Beautiful looking beer. Smells of big roasted malts, dark bitter sweet chocolate, espresso roast coffee and caramelized sugars. Nice smell. First sip is way too cold. Beer is about 37 degrees. You get a lot of roasted malts and coffee followed by bitter chocolate, toffee and caramel. All the traditional big Russian Imperial Stout flavors are there. After it warms up you get more roasted malts and coffee. Little hop bitterness on the back end but it only has 40 IBUs. This is a HOME RUN for Triple Crossing. A fantastic stout!