What's your experience with Narwhal?

I had 2012 and 2013 side by side shortly after the 2013 was released. My notes are sparse, but I liked the fresh one better. The 2012 was still good, but already had just a hint of cardboardy oxidation. Hops had faded quite a bit as well. This is one of the main reasons I age stouts and barleywines, as I usually enjoy them more with a subdued hop presence, but this one was an exception; the hops and malts work synergistically in this beer (at least to my palate).

 

The beer has only been made twice so far. Nobody really knows how it ages.

 

Tip, don't buy narwhal. Just buy Old Rasputin and you'll be better off, taste wise and price wise.
Cheers

 

you know what's cheaper than Old Rasputin? Already having Narwahl.

 

Wanted to like it but wasn't a fan. Tried it fresh, at 6 mos, and a year.

 

I think it suffers in sales due to the release date.
Celebration comes out soon after and I LOVE Cele !!
Out of the big 3 probably for me I buy more Hoptimum then Bigfoot and in a very distant third Narwhal
I would love to try the barrel aged version of Narwhal

 

I opened a 2012 not too long ago and wasn't terribly impressed. It had changed, but not necessarily for the better. I won't be cellaring any again, but I do love it fresh.

 

I had some fresh, some with varying months of age on it. Overall - not my cup of tea. Age didn't seem to change much. I want to love it but just...don't.

 

Couldn't tell much of a difference from one year to the next, so nothing impressive of note. Waiting for the barrel aged release later this year.

 

I had a 2012 recently. Overall it wasn't a bad aging experiment but there are better options in that price range. Founders imperial and Victory storm kind are two of my favorites fresh and aged.

 

Sometimes when I try a beer, I think what is wrong with me? Why didn't I like this, than I see threads like this and realize my beer taste isn't always the problem. Same here, I got one 4 pk and was not impressed put the rest to age thinking that was the issue.

 

Tried a 2012 Narwahl this weekend for science.

Had it back to back with 2013 Emelisse Espresso. I liked the Narwahl quite a bit more. Obviously one stout has coffee that had faded a bit, but even still... I wouldnt mind having room for a couple Narwahl's in the cellar. I see nothing wrong with another cheap, available stout to age.

 

got 2 in a mix a six last winter. OK but there are better options. Cool label though.

Enjoy

 

Love Narwhal fresh! Probably one of my favorites when it's on the shelf. I've put away some from both years. I'm going to go ahead and drink my 2012's, as of the last time I had one, It seemed to already have peaked for my tastebuds. Don't want it to lose much more.

 

Figures the guy with a Pabst and Fanta cocktail as his avatar would support Narwhal. Clearly you know what tastes good...

 

For me its one of SN's most disappointing beers. Wish it wasn't.

 

Are you sure we don't get Old Rasputin? I'm 99% sure the bottle I have is from MN, I don't think I got it on a Hudson trip...