Toppling Goliath Assassin 2021 Imperial Stout | Barrel-Aged

Technical Details

Tasting Profile

4.7Untappd

Toppling Goliath Assassin (2021) pours a dense, motor-oil black with virtually no head, the surface sitting still and obsidian in the glass — a visual statement of the sheer gravity that awaits. On the nose, the 2021 vintage opens with an intoxicating wave of deep bourbon barrel oak, followed swiftly by dark chocolate fudge, molasses, raisin, and a whisper of roasted earth. The aromatics are layered and evolving, revealing more complexity as the beer slowly warms in the snifter. On the palate, the mouthfeel is massive and chewy — oily, coating, and rich without tipping into cloying territory. The sweetness is restrained but generous, underpinned by the roasted malt backbone and a measured bitterness.

Key flavor notes include chocolate-covered dark fruits, toffee, vanilla, toasted oak, and a lingering bourbon warmth that spreads across the palate with elegant control. The finish is long, warm, and deeply satisfying — bourbon and dark chocolate persist well after each sip. This is a serious cellaring candidate: those patient enough to age a bottle a further one to three years will be rewarded with yet greater integration and depth. Rated 4.7 on Untappd — one of the highest-scored American imperial stouts in existence. Full details available on the Untappd page for Assassin (2021).

Food Pairing

The Toppling Goliath Assassin 2021 imperial stout reaches new heights alongside a dark Venezuelan chocolate fondant with salted caramel — the bourbon barrel character amplifying every bittersweet nuance. For a savory counterpoint, pair with an aged Comté or Époisses: the fat and funk of the cheese provide a perfect foil to the beer’s dense, fudgy sweetness, creating a pairing that is nothing short of revelatory.

Toppling Goliath Assassin (2021)