Vintage bottle from 2007, thanks Lieven of Velootje for sharing. Thickly lacing, stable, beige head over an ink black beer. Complex and interesting aroma of dry red wine, old madera wine, cigar ashes, liquorice (apparently added), chestnuts, coffee grounds, passion fruit, port, hint of soy sauce, vague banana. Somewhat candied onset (candied figs) but very subtly so, not even becoming sweet, blue plum or grape peel, cocoa, evolving quickly into a very dry, coffeeish, bitter chocolate roasted flavour, bit resiny, with the added liquorice all the way at the back, far less prominent than I had feared, but leaving a resiny bittersweet sensation on the root of the tongue; roasted coffee and charcoal bitterness remains along with peppery hop bitterness and a glow of warming, brown rhum-like alcohol; mouthfeel is thick and oily with very soft carb, but a little bit thinner than expected (possibly due to age). Not sure if this is the way this beer is supposed to taste, but after eight years, I get no signs of oxidation whatsoever; I do assume it was sweeter and more fragrant when young, but in this condition, this works perfectly. It has gained a tartness not unlike an ’oud bruin’ (Flemish red) which does make it different from most other ’hyped’ RIS beers I had. Interesting and memorable experience for sure, and glad I got a chance to taste this classic.

Pours black as night with a medium and foamy light brown head that has good retention. Rings of lacing on the glass. Big aroma of cocoa, roasted malt and bourbon. Rich body with bittersweet chocolate, roasted malt, coffee and a bit of spice. Light smoke and bourbon in the background throughout. The finish is full and moderately bitter coffee and hops with a sharp alcohol aftertaste. Would probably benefit from aging a bit. Overall this is a very good Imperial Stout.

Rating from September 2010....Dark as night without moon....rich roasted malt with chocolate baking cocoa....wow...dark ass malt...coffee for certain...bakers cocoa/dark chocolate....shines strongly and lingers on the palate....the licorice is subtle to my taste...but I do get it....not a licorice fan, but presented in this beer, its ok by me--bitter finish--goes down easy for 11%....just good!...well crafted and quite an experience for my senses

Alright, it’s about time I finally sit down and rate this. I wanted to find this on draft for a while, and had the worst of luck, until now. Poured into a growler. Pours a thick black with a dark brown head. Toasty, slightly boozy oak front aroma. Rich flavor with a huge roasted finish. Picking up some of the sweet licorice flavor as well. Decently smooth oak and chocolate finish. I don’t know. This beer is great, I enjoy it as a sipper. Not quite the beer I run out of my way to track it down, but if it falls to me again, I will gladly give this beer another go. Sum this beer up in one word? I’d say solid. UPDATE: 2007 bottle opened during a blind tasting. Thanks to Jansen for bringing this one. Had to add additional notes due to the amount of smokiness this had. So smokey, it left everything I thought I knew about Abyss long behind. Roasted malt heavy, smooth chocolate. I think I like this smokey Abyss even better, if that’s what it’s going to be. Fun beer here, and though not my favorite beer of it’s type, I’ll never tire of trying the different vintages, and comparing them in my head. Still solid, after all these days.