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Thanks again to Tim for the opportunity to try this beer. Vintage, but not sure of the year.

Pours a cola like color with a half inch of foam that falls down rather quickly.

Smells of roasted malts, chocolate, coffee, slight oxidation, raisins, brown sugar, and caramel. When I swirl the glass there also seems to be a metallic aroma that is a bit distracting. A bit of nutty malts too. I do enjoy the combination of chocolate malts and sweet dark fruits, almost like a chocolate covered raisin.

Dark chocolate upfront with a great chocolate and coffee finish, rather tasty. Chocolate covered raisins, brown sugar, caramel, and a bit of alcohol too. Lots of chocolate flavor, intense, really tasty. A little grainy near the finish. The aftertaste is what really has me sold with this beer. Initially it isn’t so intense or packed with flavor but after the swallow a chocolate, raisin, and coffee mixture starts to develop. Long lasting aftertaste too.

Wow, surprisingly viscous and creamy for an imperial porter. Feels almost like a meal but no problem drinking a pint of this.

Served In: Bottle

Not entirely opaque, but damn black nonetheless...the bottle cracked with a mighty hiss, and poured with ample carbonation...as if it were fresh.

Nothing finer. Seriously. This is perfect, sweet malts dominate, but there's a smoky/chocolate/sweet/coffee aroma just behind it that is absolutely intoxicating. It is everything I remember from previous bottles.

It has a unique flavor, which Victory did not even come close to copying. There's a bitterness and sweetness combination that I cannot describe, yet takes your tongue on a journey to places that I have not been. sweetbitterchocolate, and then some finish with fruits of the earth.

As it is a porter, it is supposed to be by style a bit thin and easy drinking. Well, it nails that completely.

Easily my favorite of the style, although Gonzo comes in a close second.

Served In: Bottle