Boulevard Imperial Stout (Smokestack Series Limited Release)

Boulevard Brewing Company
Kansas City, MO

APPEARANCE: 2.75/3
Black/opaque—really dark, anyway. Rocky, espresso-colored head that lasts and lasts. Fine bubbles. Beautiful!

AROMA: 3.25/4
Sweet nose. Roasted notes, dominant whiskey notes.

TASTE: 8/10
Hop/Malt Balance: 3.25/4: Malty, big. Very sweet—subtle roast, but we expected more roast character. Oaky. Very little hop flavor, appropriately.
Aftertaste: 2.25/3: Some sourness. Whiskey lasts—alcohol warming, but not offensive.
Mouth-Feel: 2.5/3: Very smooth. Sherry-like, warms the tongue. Appropriately carbonated.

OVERALL: 2.5/3: Almost done and the head is still here. Big and tastes like it (in a good way). Whiskey flavor is balanced nicely with malt. A special occasion beer.

TOTAL: 16.5/20–Pour Me Another

NOTES:
Ben: A sophisticated beer to be enjoyed from a snifter. Definitely a sipping beer; all that's missing is a monocle and a Sherlock Holmes pipe (or better yet, a big Russian hat).
Matt: I couldn't improve on Ben's comments, so I won't try. It's what I've come to expect from Boulevard's finest offerings—a well-crafted imperial stout.