pour very black with a very thin tan head. There is a bite of bourbon and alcohol. The smell is great. Re-rate After it has aged for 1 year it has cooled down a little and the flavor is much better. GREAT.

Many thanks to acertain for this one - this is some elegant stuff - so many imperials, especially those aged in bourbon barrels, are far too imbalanced and crude - this is actually quite dry for an imperial, with lots of cocoa and vanilla coming through - just the right amount of sweetness (while most bourbon imperials are far too sweet) - just perfectly balanced with the just the right amount of warming alcohol - great stuff.

Bottle Pours a deep dark brown/black with a modest sized but very dense fine light brown head. Lasting and creamy. The lacing is thin due to the extremely fine bubbles and sheets down the sides of the glass slowly, reluctantly breaking its hold as it returns from whence it came. Aroma is intoxicating. Sweet, vanilla and yes, coconut. Almost reminecent of an Almond Joy. The bourbon aroma is there but not very strong. Flavors are at first in your face dark roasted and bourbon. After that is more chocolate, coconut, the alcohol fumes up a bit and then the balancing bitterness. Even later the mellow woody boubon barrel smoothes it all over. The feel is a bit thinner than I hoped and expected but this tastes great. I will definately hoard a few of these for later to see how it ages. Supurb.

Another beer that is disheartening to see the reviews for. Especially given that most people provide positive comments and then give it about a 2.5.
2005 bottle shared by OldGrowth on 2/25/06. Valiant appearance, large amount of well-retained, very aerated white head clings to the sides, even creating minor lacing, while a brilliantly clear golden-to-light-amber body is full of carbonation. The nose rises up with a challenging amount of hoppiness, grassy and even lightly spicy notes combine with soft honey, perhaps just a touch of appleskins and plenty of lemony notes. The hops are not complex in the nose, but nor does the style dictate that. This is about as hoppy as it gets, though it still remains dry and under control.
Flavor is surprisingly clean, very crisp throughout, with plenty of honey notes from a wonderfully extracted and appropriated pils malt. Dry and bitter hop notes, light grass clippings, hay and even a hint of dry tangerines and light grapefruit. Moderate carbonation, well-to-style, with an actual palate that is ever so faintly doughy. No wateriness whatsoever, and challenging and interesting to the last drop. Very clean flavor, with all malt and hops notes. No alcohol, of course, and a crisp yeast bite on end. Perfect balance. Only thing keeping it in check somewhat, is the mild appleskin note in the aroma. Thanks Tom, I think I found my new session beer, too bad I live in Boston.