Nooner #9

Getting a lot of high scores from folks with 10 ratings, which makes everybody assume it is hyped. Lets see here. Of course, I love a good Impy, and I love vanilla and Rye barrel aging, so this could be a problem. :). Bottle thanks to 50belair! Pours opaque black with a medium creamy brown head that lasts and laces well. So far, so good. Aroma is rich and chocolate, vanilla and bourbon notes with some molasses, coconut and toasted marshmallow. Very nice. Flavor is medium sweet, light bitter, quite chocolate and roasty, bourbon, coconut, hints of toffee. Vanilla present but surprisingly muted. Lingering bitterness on the palate. Medium plus body, creamy mouthfeel, not hot despite the ABV. This is a great Impy, just a notch below the best in class. For reference, this score puts it in my top 100 imperial stouts rated, but not in my top 50. It actually seems a bit better than that, but I will let it go.