This one was much more pleasant than the previous bottle. It's a bit older and a different batch, not sure where the difference lies. Not as sweet and has more depth. Good value at this price.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

Just not the part of the spectrum of IPAs I prefer. You can tell it's well-made, but not for me.

SUper malty IIPA. Too malty. Even sweet. Doesn't hide ABV at all. Has a nice bitterness. Hop flavors are more earthy than fruity.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

Wow, finally, 6 months after bottling it's finally starting to taste right. That weird, hoppy? flavor has faded and it's sweet and boozy and carmely and buttery.

Something's wrong this year. Last year was as good as any barrel aged wee heavy on the market. This year has a bitter bite the destroys the carmely sweetness. Can't believe I bought so much this year instead of last year.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

Again big malt, less fermented cherry than I remember. Smells like vinegar but more of a moderate sour on the tongue. Carbonation is delightful as ever. Not sure I can put this up there with my favorites any more. Cran-bic is so good. And I still have an Oud Bruin left. Wished New Glarus would put out more in this vein instead Weiss beers.

So much maltier than I remember. Gives it a lot more depth, although it's not as crisply refreshing. Mutes the cherries a bit, too. Oddly reminds me of BBQ now, even though I don't like that beer.

Such a drinkable sour. New Glarus sours work for me. Less cherry and less carbonation than I remember.

Like bourbon soaked cocoa powder. As good as I've ever had it.

It's nearly perfect. I wouldn't mind a little more viscosity but no complaints other than that. If it's truly 9.5% this is a marvel. And much better than the other 2016 batch. I can't remember which one I gave to Jen, I hope it was this one.

Wow. Chocolate much? So much richer than when fresh. Bourbon has mellowed a bit but more chocolate roast. Very, very nice.

Shared 3 ways, we each had a small pour. Drank with berries and cookies. I noticed more coffee flavors than I ever have with this brew. Holds up well against competing sour and sweet flavors. Best on its own, though.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

Let's deal with this "Imperial Porter" nonsense. It's a stout. OK. It's really good. There is a nice fruit tart/sweet flavor, lots of chocolate. Not much bourbon. Second pour I could really taste the apricot, surprisingly. I didn't expect to be able to pick that out. Maybe the puree had sediment in the bottom of the bottle? Pretty expensive, though.

Let's deal with this "Imperial Porter" nonsense. It's a stout. OK. It's really good. There is a nice fruit tart/sweet flavor, lots of chocolate. Not much bourbon. Second pour I could really taste the apricot, surprisingly. I didn't expect to be able to pick that out. Maybe the puree had sediment in the bottom of the bottle? Pretty expensive, though.

Cinnamon and chocolate at cellar temp, not as smooth as I'd like, has a bit of a bite but very tasty. Bourbon rounded out the edges with some booze and really present in the aroma. I forgot this hat coffee in it until it warmed up and the coffee bitterness came out.

Smells like hot chocolate at cellar temp. Vanilla and cinnamon come through as it warms.

Unexpectedly thin mouthfeel. Tastes like ice cream at about 50 degrees. Changes tremendously as it warms. Cinnamon really comes to the fore. Not a strong bourbon presence and the coffee is pretty subtle, other than giving some bitterness at the end.

So rich and flavorful. What's left to say. I actually thought it tasted like a stout at first. Then the sweetness came out, kind of nutty. Reminds me of a master chef who knows how to use a dozen different spices to develop a complex flavor that is more than the sum of its significant parts. I need to get another six pack and start drinking at 3 years.

Really nice right now. Drank this one somewhat chilled. Kind of a harsh bitterness in the background but plenty sweet and lots of flavor.

Much sweeter than I remember, though not in an unbalanced way. Tasted a lot of dried fruit. Reminds me of Jubilation Ale now. I think I like this one better fresh. Will see what happens after another six months.

Don't let this one warm up to room temp. Best at cellar temp <65.

Straightforward taste, not particularly deep or complex. But it tastes really good. Not a strong aroma. The most remarkable thing about this beer is how clean it goes down. Aftertaste doesn't linger, not necessarily what I prefer for a RIS. A very drinkable 10% RIS. I'll have to check out Rasputin again. And maybe try this fresh, it was a year old. I don't have an impeccable sense of how beers will change. Some I know do improve with a year or two, but some do not. Seems like this one should but I really don't know. Again, it's really good but not exceptional.

Fades pretty fast. Already past its prime, but mostly because I had it so fresh. The fruity juicy notes are all indistinct now and the malt is more apparent. Don't get me wrong, it's still a well balanced, bitter, refreshing IPA. But it's not what it was when fresh. So drink fresh, while it's still great.

Good on Central Waters. This is the first beer I've had with fruity, tropical flavors from them. Good to know they have that range. Smells like pineapple. Has a nice bitterness. Reminds me of Head Hunter. Maybe not as focused of a flavor profile, not exactly sure what I mean by that. I want to do a side by side with Ruination, too.

A big hit. Well earned reputation. I had no difficulty identifying this style from its complete lack of bitterness. Ventures into Belgian Strong Ale territory with its sweetness. Stereotypical toffee and caramel. Incredibly well balanced, so smooth for 13%, no alcohol bite, no booziness. Not as complex as I was hoping considering the reputation, but a relative bargain for the price. Maybe I should have grabbed another bottle this year when I had the chance?