Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Barrel-Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout

Hello beer lovers and welcome to another edition of the NorCal Beer Blog's brew review.

Tonight’s featured beer is Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Barrel-Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout. I picked this bottle up at The Wine Club in San Jose (here). They have a small craft beer section, but they have an incredible selection.  If you're anywhere near The Wine Club go visit them and tell 'em I sent you!

Commercial description: “Barrel-Aged Narwhal is our deliciously dark Imperial Stout aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels. Barrel aging is a strange science; it mellows some characteristics of the original beer while intensifying others. Narwhal’s aggressive roastiness has calmed, but the rich, chocolate-like malt backbone is brought to the fore. Black as midnight, this intense stout is complex with notes of cocoa and espresso balanced with hints of vanilla and toasted coconut from the oak casks. Nearly as rare as it’s nautical namesake, try Barrel-Aged Narwhal while you can because like the creature itself, it will soon dive into the depths and leave nary a trace behind.”

Let’s get started!

Appearance: Pours black with a dense and thick tan head and lots of lacing.

Aroma: Chocolate, caramel, toffee, roasted malts, oak, bourbon, vanilla, espresso, coconut and the slight scent of anise.

Taste: Cocoa, roasted malts, bourbon, oak barrel, vanilla, coconut, espresso, anise and slight toffee and caramel flavors.

Overall: Full-bodied and smooth, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company Barrel-Aged Narwhal Imperial Stout is an excellent BA Imperial Stout.  This 12.9% ABV offering is a must try for fans of the style.  Pick up a few – you’ll be glad you did!

Cheers!

Mark Harvey

If you haven’t already, please like the NorCal Beer Blog on Facebook (here)