Quiet Giant - Barrel-Aged - Vanilla And Cinnamon
Imperial Oak Brewing

12 ounce can into a snifter. Released 6/7/24, had 6/4/25.

Pours an opaque dark brown, with a quarter inch foamy head and some slick foamy lacing. Aromas of cinnamon, vanilla, roasted malt, oak, some bourbon and char, light chocolate. The flavors follow the nose, but a little more intense overall: cinnamon, bourbon, oak, roasted malt, vanilla, light chocolate and char. Smooth, a solid full body, appropriately carbonated.

This is delicious. The cinnamon is prominent but not overdone, there’s plenty of vanilla and oak, and effective barrels, as well. The extended aging (for IO) is noticeable and desirable. Solid all around and really enjoyable.

** 2017 release /22 ounce bottle/no review/4.50

R081019

 

Had on tap. Wow, silky smooth! Thins out the body a little on the feel, but still plenty of malt backbone to support. The taste is like cinnamon toast crunch in a glass with a sweet and creamy vanilla finish. Not a lot of nuance but it is good! Body is extremely cool and smooth.

 

 

 

Had this beer on tap and from 22 oz bottles. On tap it was fantastic- one of the top 3 beers I had in 2017. However, from the bottles there were some serious carbonation issues. As in, the beer was completely flat. Hoping they get that worked out for next year's release.

22oz bomber from May 2017 release.

When opened there was very little hiss. Pours inky black, but absolutely no head whatsoever. Smell is a lot of vanilla, with notes of cinnamon and chocolate. Taste conveys more vanilla with a hint of cinnamon. Bourbon and oak notes are also present, but it also seems like the beer was oxidized due to a leak in the cap. Mouthfeel is flat, and the beer comes across as syrupy sweet. Overall the near total absence of carbonation really hurts this beer, which is disappointing because I've heard great things about the on tap version.

Bomber poured into 12oz snifter 5/12/17
Bottle 0828/1080

Black with not a single bubble when poured. Nose is sweet bourbon, caramel, and not much of anything else. First sip is super sweet mallow and mild booze. A hint of spice sneaks in on the back end. Tons of vanilla! After the glass warms a bit I get some cinimon and the bourbon and wood become more prominent as well. Greasy slick feel. Zero carbonation. Pretty dang tasty!

Dated 05/12/17 #867/1080 Bomber poured, repeatedly, into a snifter boasts a flat looking deep dark opaque brown colored body while floating....nothing. Somewhat expected after a year aging.

Aroma is a bold mix of bourbon, oak, leather, and of course bourbon, with a slight spice.

Flavors match. The expected bourbon regulars, oak, leather, vanilla, and booze are up front, followed by a spice that more fully exposes itself as cinnamon with some warmth.

Mouthfeel is full, smooth, and mouth coating-ly thick sans carbonation.

Overall a good sipper in front of a roaring fire.

 

 

 

 

 

Taste: Thick, rich creamy Bourbon, boozy, vanilla, super sweet malty, cinnamon, dark molasses, smooth, velvet mouthfeel with the Nitro tap version. Same with the barrel oak bourbon nose. Black, opaque, tan creamy nitro head, some lace on glass. Full, viscous body.