Imperial stout from the trusted stubby Poppels bottles, aged on both bourbon and rum barrels, boasting a mighty 13.5% ABV. Medium thick, deep ruddy mocha-brownish, creamy and dense head, opening in the middle and initially leaving a steady ring and flat grey islands in the middle - but disappearing almost completely in the end, over a pitch black beer. Strong and inviting bouquet of indeed brown rum and not-too-sweet bourbon, heavily draped over a wealth of toffee, Belgian chocolates, melting black chocolate bars, vanilla-ish oak, roasted pecan nuts, hazelnut paste, 'boerenjongens' (spiced and sugared raisins steeped in brandy), latté macchiato, mocha ice cream, dried prunes, sweetly sauced pipe tobacco, hints of blueberry crumble, cinnamon rolls, almond, espresso, clay, varnish and some liquorish. Sweet, quite lively and fruity onset, very raisin- and prune-forward with side notes of pear and ripe blackberry, swirling around thanks to very active effervescence (a bit much so for the style even); hefty body, very oily, gliding heavily over the tongue, leaving behind a thick trace of walnut paste, dark chocolate, toffee and dried dark fruits, adorned with spicy accents of liquorish, cinnamon and bayleaf - until of course the booze comes in, heating everything with a peppery bourbon and rum glow, becoming a bit astringent in the end - though not in an exaggerated way. The liquorish or even 'drop' effect lingers at the back, amidst a pinch of coffee-like roasted bitterness, vanilla-breathing oak wood and a dash of spicy hops which, as usual in this kind of beers, lie buried under all that thick maltiness. A massive beer even to Scandinavian standards, huge and boastful, but at the same time quite sophisticated and technically well balanced in relation to its intensity; Poppels stouts are nearly always very good and this one continues that trend. One to sip with care, certainly standing comparison with some of the great American legends in this segment (think BCBS, for example). Impressive, though just a tad too boozy for me personally.

Bottle, 330 ml shared with kajser27, Max and Miro B. Black with beige head. Chocolate, cocoa, some bourbon, sweet, low carbonation, somewhat thick. Bitterish finish. Medium bodied.

Bottle.Pitch black colour with medium dark beige head.Aroma is milky and sweet with rum and chocolate flavors,nice beer is very a surprise.

Pours as viscous motor oil to a dark tan head, not very stable. Tobacco a mile out, felt; closer by intense Bourbon/vanilla; walnut, game. Dry onset, walnut, going over in sweet-bitter flavours, roasted. Neither Bourbon, neither rum overwhelming, but definitely helping in deepening the complexity. Chocolate, Belgian pralines. Something of black tea, Keemun, There is a (mild) stoutacidity, blending with the chocolate. Violets, guimauve. Thick, voluptuous, some alcoholburn, long-lasting flavours. Reminiscences of Hunahpu - without the hype. Absolutely stunning beer. Thanks to Stef!

Bottle Porterfestivalen 2021-11-13 Göteborg AR: heavy bourbon, hot chocolate, vanilla AP: dark brown, small lid F: heavy bourbon, hot chocolate, vanilla