Due to the brew's intense character, high alcohol level, massive viscosity and bottle conditioning, it can easily be cellared for at least a year or more. Koch suggests that collectors open a bottle from their cellars every six months or so to experience the various stages of the brew's maturation over time. "The very best way to enjoy archives of the Stone Imperial Russian Stout is to taste various years of the brew side by side."
Beer Ratings and Reviews:
[1] Review by slowrunner77 from Reno, NV, USA who has tried this beer many times. (12/13/2008 1:50:41 PM)
"this one's right at the top of the Imperial Stouts...drink it in a goblet or snifter. it fits the style to a tee. Not much they could do to improve it. pours black as night, strong roasted notes on the nose & flavor, alcohol kicker in both as well. surprisingly smooth."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
10/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
10/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.8)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $5 Unit Cost: $3.64 per Pint
[2] Review by staleyiv from Newnan, GA, USA who has tried this beer a couple times. (11/25/2008 6:51:44 PM)
"Aroma is big and roasty with tons of burnt malt overtones as well as some leather and licorice with even nuiances of ripened fruits like currants with some bready overtones. Appearance is pitch black when held to the light with a full-sized head on top that is dark brown in color diminishing leaving creamy lacing on the glass. Mouthfeel is robust and well-rounded with intense complexity as well as balance with a palate that is wet-like and sticky and coats very well. Flavor is of roasted malt, bittering hops, and some burnt coffee with an aftertaste that is full of breadiness as well as licorice and cocoa and a finish that is clean and full with no notable alcohol coming through. Overall, a fine example of the style and well worth buying more to cellar and highly recommended for sure. "
Aroma:
8/10
Appearance:
9/10
Mouthfeel:
8/10
Flavor:
9/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.3)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 12oz @ $2.99 Unit Cost: $3.99 per Pint
[3] Review by beercronic from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada who has tried this beer once. (10/11/2008 4:37:54 PM)
"Finally drinking this sucker!
2007 vintage
F'n black! Tiny dark brown skim that is mainly only on the rim. The aroma is awesome - so complete and superbly balanced. Sweet, biscuits, mid to dark chocolate, mild over all but very good, maybe blackberries, noticed some hops early on. The flavour is just amazing! Immediately I knew I was drinking one of the best beers I've ever had. When it's warm there is an initial alcohol taste but that just vanishes and is replaced by dark chocolate without the bitterness. I did not think the bitterness of this beer (which is mild) was associated with the chocolate. Dark fake cherry, weak, slight bitterness and almost no coffee and THAT IS GREAT! NO OVERLY STUPID AMOUNT OF COFFEE TO RUIN ANOTHER BEER! Nice fruit and a spice that makes a cameo appearance. The mouth feel is really smooth, minimal alc spice is manageable, very little carbonation, full bodied beer that leave a coating in my mouth that just adds to the experience. Chocolate and mid strength roasted malt finish. This is a truly excellent beer. Thanks, Dove, for smuggling this somewhere inside of your body."
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
10/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.5)
Sample Size: 22oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[4] Review by mmmmBeer from Edmonton, Canada who has tried this beer once. (8/25/2008 2:44:16 PM)
"Bottle claims to be limited spring 2007 edition. This review starts with the horrible image of beercronic deep throating the bottle while crouched in ball because we did the entire review within the confines of the conversation hut. Dark brown to black body very dark brown cap that wasn’t all that thick. Aroma is very smooth , coffee, not bitter chocolate, possibly blue berry but this might only because gully swears he smells it, possibly some liquorish, and I think cinnamon. This smell fairly similar to most other impy stouts only this is a billion times better. Sweet smooth coffee, chocolate cinnamon, fresh baked bread, peach, this taste is fawking awesome. It like liquid dessert. The chocolate is so rich without being overly bitter. Alcohol comes through very mildly. Mouth feel is beyond smooth and creamy. Burnt marshmallow is showing up in the finish or this could possibly be vanilla. Just like the aroma the taste isn’t all that different from other impy stouts it’s just way better than them somehow. I’m starting to taste nut now that the beer is warm. This truly lives up to its hype and the stupid high Quality of Stone beers. I would gladly trade buddy the cat for another bottle. "
Aroma:
9/10
Appearance:
7/10
Mouthfeel:
9/10
Flavor:
10/10
Overall:
9/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(4.4)
Sampled: Bottle Sample Size: 22oz @ $0 Unit Cost: $0 per Pint
[5] Review by whitco from Pa, USA who has tried this beer once. (8/19/2008 11:15:41 PM)
"This was a surprise. It was on sale so I thought why not. I like Stouts but seem to always compare them to Guiness. That has changed. Guiness tastses watery now compared to the new generation. This was tasteful, not bitter. It is worth a try for sue."
Aroma:
5/10
Appearance:
6/10
Mouthfeel:
6/10
Flavor:
7/10
Overall:
7/10
Final Rating, by Style:
(3.1)
Sampled: Bottle
Value of this beer for its style: Not Sure
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(4.8)
