Põhjala Barrique Noire (Cellar Series)

Barrique Noire (Cellar Series)

 

Põhjala in Tallinn, Harju County, Estonia 🇪🇪

  Porter - Imperial Baltic Series
Score
7.59
ABV: 12.0% IBU: 40 Ticks: 13
An indulgent imperial Baltic porter aged in French crème de cassis barrels.

Taste
First sip is roasty with a subtle smokiness. A mineral saltiness plays quietly in the background. The mid-palate turns blackcurrant jammy, complemented by dark plums and raisins. The aftertaste is long and persistent - roasty bitterness balanced by a blackcurrant-liqueur-like sweetness. This is a full-bodied, bold, and multifaceted beer with excellent long-term cellaring potential.

Nose
Heavily roasted oak with hints of vanilla and cinnamon, supported by smoky plum and blackcurrant in the background.

Appearance
Dark brown, nearly black beer with a beige-brown, finger-thick head that lingers for a long time.

Hops
El Dorado

Malts
Pilsner, Munich light, kaeralinnased, Caramel 150, Chocolate, Chocolate wheat
 

Sign up to add a tick or review

Join Us


     Show


7.9
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 8.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

-1 point for the utterly irritating wax, making it a threat for my fingers. A few seconds of russet-beige bubbles over jet-black beer. Rather fruity aroams, with liquorice, some roast, and maltsyrup. Lots of esters, higher alcohols and fusels, cake glazing, meatroast, dark berries. Thick, chewy, luxurious beer, alcoholheat. Full bodied, well carbonated and hot. Impressive. And I had no idea that Crème de Cassis came in barrels ?!

Tried from Bottle at Beerlovers Bar on 12 Jan 2026 at 13:50


8.3
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Sampled at Billies, day 2. Opaque black color, average sized off-white to beige head. Aroma and flavor are malts, moderate to medium roasty, wood, boozy a bit and soft raisin notes. Very tasty! 8-8-8,5-8-8,5

Tried on 22 Dec 2025 at 21:00


7.5
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Bottled 330ml. -at Goblet Zagreb, shared with Hrabren. Pitch black coloured, medium sized brownish head, roasty nose with whiff of alcohol. Roasted malt, dark chocolate, light blackcurrant and notes of alcohol with mild burnt touch in the finish.

Tried from Bottle at Goblet Beer Store - Zagreb on 16 Dec 2025 at 11:17


7.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8

0.33 l bottle shared with Ogi at Goblet Beer Store, Zagreb. Black, oily, minimal head. Aroma is intense roasty, slightly burnt, molasses and licorice. Flavour is molasses, blueberry jam, black cherry, thick, soft texture. Smooth, finishes sweet with a burnt finish.

Tried from Bottle at Goblet Beer Store - Zagreb on 15 Dec 2025 at 22:18


8
Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8.5

330ml bottle. Pours jet black with a medium head. Aroma is oily, woody liquorice, cough syrup and dark berries. Taste has syrupy berries and cough syrup throughout. A little liquroice and roast on the finish.
Sticky mouthfeel.

Tried from Bottle on 12 Dec 2025 at 21:07


7.3
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

Pitch black colour with no head.Aroma is sweet and tart with taste of syrup and brown sugar nice oily and tart warming and roasted mouth feels mild and well balanced finish.

Tried from Draft at Taphouse on 08 Dec 2025 at 14:59


7.4
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 7

On tap at Põhjala, pours jet black with a small tan head. Aroma has deep dark malts, plenty of spirit, and some booze. Flavour is very rich, with intense dark malts, big spirit notes, dark sugars, and a touch of liquorice. Extremely big, very syrupy, a bit brutal. It’s good but over-the-top.

Tried from Draft on 16 Nov 2025 at 19:17


7.6
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 7 | Overall - 8

Tried from Draft on 12 Nov 2025 at 21:46


7.8
Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Tried from Draft at Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room on 07 Nov 2025 at 16:49


7.8
Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 8

100ml draught, from a sample tray at Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room. Bare naked on the surface, scattered lacing, and a coal black body. Attractive aromas of dark chocolate malts, nicely roasted, hints of dried fruits as well. Powerful taste profile with dark chocolate, prunes, raisin, and dark berries. Lingering roasted ending. Nice sipper.
In friendly company with visionthing and Finn. (Tallinn, 07.11.2025)

Tried from Draft at Põhjala Brewery & Tap Room on 07 Nov 2025 at 16:30

gave a cheers!