Style: Stout (Barrel-aged, Flavored)

ABV: 13.5 IBU: 68.0

91/100

Aroma:	10
Appearance:	3
Flavor:	18
Mouthfeel:	5

Verboten Brewing Vanilla Not a Speck of Light

What the brewers say

"Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels with Tahitian vanilla added."

What our panel thought

“Aroma of well-rounded dark roast permeated by vanilla; sweet chocolate with hazelnut notes. Big roast flavor with boozy vanilla, chocolate, and hazelnut. Big and chewy. Slight oxidation. Sweet chocolate and nutty notes linger into the finish.”

What our editors thought

“Marshmallow nose with a faint licorice edge sets a wide dynamic range. Flavor lands more solidly sweet, with just a touch of campfire-roast adding dimension to the vanilla and milk chocolate middle.”

Review printed in: The Route to Stout (October-November 2021) (View All Issues)

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REVIEWS FOR YOU >

Verboten Brewing Not a Speck of Light

“Bakery aroma of vanilla, dark chocolate, honey, strawberry fruit leather, coconut, cinnamon, almond, burnt marshmallows. Flavor delivers that sweetness but is tempered by roast malt, oak tannin, and pleasant alcoholic warmth. Nice balance of sweetness and bitterness. Oak really pops in the finish with a nice hint of vanilla.”

Area Two Experimental Brewing Barrel-Aged Chocolate Cookie Stout

“Intoxicating chocolate-pastry aroma—big, bready cookie dough. Flavor brings big coconut, toasted bread crust, fresh-baked cookie, and moderately sweet chocolate. Like warm cookies soaked in rich liqueur. Huge coconut macaroon notes. Finishes sweet, with lingering coconut and creamy roast. Slightly harsh warmth. Big, chewy mouthfeel. Chocolate pastry bomb.”

Three Taverns Brewery Cocoa Cafe

“Cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, maple syrup, and hints of nuttiness in the aroma create the impression of decadent breakfast pastries. The coffee notes emerge more in the flavor and serve to temper the sweetness and balance things.”

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