Deschutes Black Butte XXIII

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Pours a deep opaque sable with a decent light tan head. Barleywine-like aroma has nutty and molasses tones. Smoky flavor is more like a barleywine than a porter and has nutty and molasses hints - overall very tasty. Texture is smooth and fizzy, very pleasing.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

Waxed bottle pour into a snifter - dark black with lots of carbonation and a foamy 1/2 head. Really awesome aromas of orange peel, dark chocolate, and bourbon. Thin mouthfeel but a nice kick of carbonation give way to a menagerie of flavors. Dark chocolate, alcohol, oak, vanilla, bourbon, and slight hint of orange. This has a lot going on, but the flavors blend perfectly and nothing seems out of place. The slight bourbon aging really makes this one a winner. Glad to have tried, wish I had more than one.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

My contribution for the Aug KnoxBeerCrew tasting via slowrunner77, who sent me this beauty back in the spring. Another darkest brown/near black poured brew, beige head and cap, sustained, leaving chunky lacing. Roasted maltiness, coffee, dark chocolate, interesting twang from the oranges - light until it warms then quite a bit more noticeable, only a hint of advertised chilies very faint in the background aroma. Rich toasted malt and cocoa flavor, smooth and silky mouthfeel, molasses, a hint of orange peel, more cocoa, some coffee, didn't get any of the chilies. Hugely nice porter, predictably thinner than a big stout, but excellent for the style. Thanks Chris - waited a while to share this puppy - Worthy!

Aroma: 6 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 6 | Flavor: 7 | Overall: 7

RBAG 2012. Dark light brown body……………………..yes that is exactly what I mean. Very dark chocolate, toffee, vanilla, hints of coffee and slight alcohol all show up in the nose according to my notes. Heavy bitter malts, bakers chocolate, slight chalk, some smoke, finishes nutty. More yum coffee. Brew is good but it didn’t blow me away, probably would have scored higher if I just didn’t drink so many other amazing beers tonight.

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Bottle, kindly shared by gunnar. ABV 10.8%. Black colour, big tan head. Strong roasty aroma, notes of coffee, bourbon, vanilla and oak. Strong roasty flavour, medium sweet, notes of strong coffee, caramel and bourbon, hints of liquorice. Bitter finish.

Aroma: 8 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 7 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 8

Nice well rounded porter, very robust yet it seemed to lack the depth and strength that was expected. Plenty of burnt and crystal malts to impart a sharpness that contrasted the milk chocolate and coffee qualities. Easy drinking for the strength.

Aroma: 7 | Appearance: 7 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 8 | Overall: 7

Bottle @ the Flying (cup+) Saucer .. . Pours a deep black coffee .. . light foam .. . mainly coffee, roasted malt, and dark dried fruit- just a hint of orange .. . pretty good, i think i liked the first reserve series from a few years back but this should age nicely.. . . I want the answers now or eventually!

Aroma: 10 | Appearance: 8 | Mouthfeel: 9 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 9

I have now had 3 growlers of this fine brew. The last one being smoother than the first two. Slowrunner pretty much says it all. I get back to this review in Feb when they tap thier last keg. Its going to age well.

Aroma: 9 | Appearance: 9 | Mouthfeel: 8 | Flavor: 9 | Overall: 8

scored a couple notches lower than previous releases. this was great as well, but a bit sweeter than previous versions. in a small sample it wouldn't be noticeable, but have a pint or bottle to yourself, and it becomes ever so slightly cloying. the usual suspects are there, cocoa, coffee, bourbon (though more subtle), with added orange peel and pepper. the pepper is barely noticeable, but is there a little in the finish (not in the aroma at all) and while the orange peel is nice, it takes away from other subtle nuances of the beer, hence the lower score. still a great beer, and one i'll age as well.