Black Note Stout
Bell's Brewery in Galesburg, Michigan, United States 🇺🇸
Stout - Imperial Rotating|
Score
8.39
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Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout
One of the most sought-after stouts in Bell’s history, Black Note Stout blends the complex aromatics of Expedition Stout with the velvety smooth texture of Double Cream Stout, each aged in freshly retired oak bourbon barrels for months. Aimed squarely at the stout and bourbon aficionados, Black Note makes a grand statement about the art of the dark.
The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel.
One of the most sought-after stouts in Bell’s history, Black Note Stout blends the complex aromatics of Expedition Stout with the velvety smooth texture of Double Cream Stout, each aged in freshly retired oak bourbon barrels for months. Aimed squarely at the stout and bourbon aficionados, Black Note makes a grand statement about the art of the dark.
The resulting harmony of flavors captures the finest features of all three components: malty notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and dried fruits, all buoyed by the warmth and fragrance of the bourbon barrel.
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8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
Bottle at home. Had the beer before but I guess not this batch. Guess it's quite good like I remember it. I can't really be bothered by rating this formally as it's just another batch. I like it.
Tried
on 16 Aug 2025
at 21:16
8.1/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 9
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 6.5
Bottle. Black pour not much head. Smells of dark chocolate and vanilla. Chewy malt, bourbon.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 May 2025
at 01:37
5.3/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 5
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 5
Batch 1 750mL cork/caged bottled 10/28/2011 drunk 9/20/17.
Inky, ebony with very little light making it through the edges. No head, even after a vigorous pour and some warming....
So at a full six years of age, you can't really fault a beer for being well past its prime. That being said, this was specifically designed to lay down, which I did, since acquiring it young, in a wine fridge. So I was, I think understandably/justifiably, VERY disappointed when this thing was just plain DEAD. I mean, I could understand if it was well past its prime or something, but this was just fully oxidized soy sauce. Will certainly get a bottle to rerate and just put in an average placeholder score. Bells instills no confidence any more and I can't remember too many good beers I've had from them in the past 10 years. 2002 Expedition stout, in a 12oz capped bottle no less, aged FAR, FAR better and longer than this piece of crap.
Inky, ebony with very little light making it through the edges. No head, even after a vigorous pour and some warming....
So at a full six years of age, you can't really fault a beer for being well past its prime. That being said, this was specifically designed to lay down, which I did, since acquiring it young, in a wine fridge. So I was, I think understandably/justifiably, VERY disappointed when this thing was just plain DEAD. I mean, I could understand if it was well past its prime or something, but this was just fully oxidized soy sauce. Will certainly get a bottle to rerate and just put in an average placeholder score. Bells instills no confidence any more and I can't remember too many good beers I've had from them in the past 10 years. 2002 Expedition stout, in a 12oz capped bottle no less, aged FAR, FAR better and longer than this piece of crap.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Mar 2025
at 13:34
8.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Bottle at Avenue Pub, New Orleans. Big Bourbon aroma with vanilla, roasted malt, caramel, coffee, fudge, milk- and dark chocolate, oak. Controlled above medium sweetness, roasty bitter. Full body, light liquorice, lovely Bourbon finish. Big and beautiful.
Tried
from Bottle
on 07 Feb 2025
at 12:17
7/10
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Dec 2024
at 18:46
8/10
Tried
from Bottle
on 13 Dec 2024
at 18:46
8.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8
Sample thanks to Ken. Pours jet black with small dirty tan head that fades. Aroma is boozy dried fruit, chocolate, coffee, treacle, roast malt, whisky barrel comes through. Taste is boozy dried fruit, chocolate, coffee, treacle, roast malt, hint of smoke, solid boozy bourbon vibes. Held up well. Solid classic impy.
Tried
on 08 Apr 2024
at 21:38
7.5/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7.5
Flavor 7.5
Texture 7
Overall 7.5
12oz bottle at Nicos place. Black color, small tan head. smells coffee, earthy, vanilla, bourbon, nutty. Very nice smell. full body, light carbonation. tastes bourbon, earthy, wood, vanilla, nutty. finishes lightly dry with notes of vanilla, wood and nutty notes.
8, 7.5, 7.5, 7, 7.5
8, 7.5, 7.5, 7, 7.5
Tried
from Bottle
on 10 Mar 2024
at 11:09
9.9/10
—
Appearance 9
Aroma 10
Flavor 10
Texture 10
Overall 10
Bam-BAM! Heavy hitter!! Served at a good temperature with a large, thick, fine, creamy, tan head and lots of lace. Aromas are cocoa, dark ripe fruit, old leather, coffee, dark malt. Color is an opaque black brown. Flavors are a curious blend of expansive and yet slightly conservative - similar to nose, excellent balance between bitter, sweet and tang, the bourbon is there, not overdone. Body is perfect, ditto for carbonation. Finish is like flavor, yet the whiskey lingers a bit longer. Very easy drinking with only a hint of alcohol at the end. Fabulous!
Tried
from Bottle
at
Bodega Brew Pub, Inc.
on 12 Feb 2024
at 01:00