92 Swashbuckler Stout, Harmon Brewing Co. (WA). 8.3% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Deep brown-black. Dark roasted nut and berry pie crust aromas follow through on a chewy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-full body with mashed raisin, cigar box and rum cake-like notes. Finishes with a tangy citrus marmalade, soy and chocolate-accented fade. A big and nicely balanced wood-aged stout.

92 Chocolate Indulgence Stout, Brewery Ommegang (NY). 7% ABV (1/09)
Dark crown, black color with a dark tan head. Rich artisan chocolate and dried fruit aromas follow through on a smooth, silky entry to a fruity-yet-dry medium-to-full body with sweet citrus and honeyed apple notes. Finishes in a tangy, refreshing bittersweet chocolate and bubbly fruit pie crust fade with vibrant acidity and astringency. Excellent.

89 Double Chocolate Stout, Wells & Young’s Brewing Co. Ltd. (England). 5.2% ABV (1/09)
Brown color. Light, crisp chocolate phosphate aromas and flavors with a touch of cherry jam. Finishes with a crisp refreshing dark lager-like fade. A solid quaffer.

89 Chocolate Stout, Rogue Ales (OR). 6% ABV (1/09)
Brown-black color. Rich, warm chocolate pudding aromas follow through on a supple, frothy entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with roasted nuts and tart verging on sharp dried citrus notes. Finishes with a long, tangy astringent bitter chocolate fade. Try with cigars.

87 Double Black Stout with Coffee, Red Hook Brewery (WA). 7% ABV (1/09)
Brownish black color. Mild café Americano aromas follow through on a brisk entry to a dryish medium-to-full body with nut skin peppercorn and cocoa notes. Finishes with mild creamy fade.

87 Coffee Stout, New Glarus Brewing Co. (WI). 4.8% ABV (12/06)
Opaque black brown color with a dark tan head. Nutty roasted malt and mocha aromas. A smooth creamy entry leads to a dry medium-full body of baker’s chocolate, dark roasted nuts and coffee oil flavors. Finishes with a tangy, moderately astringent, charred nut and coffee ground fade. Coffee is really a minor flavor component here and really appears as a caffeine buzz following the aftertaste.

84 Oak Rum Stout, Eugene City Brewery (OR). 6.8% ABV (1/07)
Baker’s chocolate and pine aromas. A smooth, zesty entry leads to a dryish, frothy medium body of chocolate-covered tangerines, oak barrel and piney hope flavors. Finishes with an astringent, bittering hop and mocha fade.

84 Harv’s Wild Plum Stout, Deschutes Brewery (OR). 8% ABV (1/09)
Brown-black color. Grape soda and chocolate milkshake aromas follow through on a round, supple entry to a dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body with tangy plum pie and raisin notes. Finishes with quick nut skin and cocoa dust fade.

83 Atomic Espresso Stout, John Harvard’s Brew House, Framingham (MA). 5% ABV (1/09) %{Brewpub}
Dark brown color. Earthy oil roasted nuts and mossy moldy reed and leather aroma and flavors and a tang lemon spritz and spent coffee grounds fade.