Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout 12% Review

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Narwhal (imperial stout 12%)

This article is based on a past tasting experience, updated in June 2025.

Review of American craft beer Sierra Nevada / Narwhal (Imperial Stout 12%). It was delicious!

About This Beer

Characteristics

Narwhal Imperial Stout（Narwhal Imperial Stout）は、a mysterious creature living in the deepest parts of the frigid Arctic Ocean「narwhal (unicorn of the sea)」から、drew inspiration from。


espresso、cocoa kneaded into bread、toasted grain.


With subtle smoky accents, Narwhal overflows with rich flavors and complex malt character.


Intense yet refined with a smooth, rich body and deep aftertaste, Narwhal will continue to age beautifully in the bottle over time.
Importer: Nagano Trading
From the Antenna America official page:

Availability

I bought it at Antenna America Tokyo on 2022/09/07. Available from import until sold out.

Where to Buy

Available at shops carrying Nagano Trading beers.

（単品）シエラネバダ・バレルエイジド・ナーワル 12度 473ml缶（単品）【要冷蔵商品】【craft beer】【SIERRA NEVADA】【飲み比べ】【アメリカ】

Beer Review

Appearance

Pitch black. When held to the light, the edges show a slight translucence.

Aroma

Orthonasal Aroma

Heavy hop presence yet with nutty oiliness and a protein quality — an enchanting combination of hops and roasted malt caramel. Weighty malt. Hops show green apple with hints of berry.

Retronasal Flavor

Strong alcohol, a honey-like richness beyond resin. A rum-like barrel character. Wooden cask atmosphere. Real depth. Plus dark chocolate. Green apple intensifies as it warms. Ginjo-like notes. A trailing grapefruit-like spiciness.

Detectable even before warming, but especially pronounced as temperature rises — a noble rum-like barrel character.

Taste

Mouthfeel

Enters with a slightly viscous weight. Gentle. The moment it hits the tongue, bitterness arrives gently.

Body and Texture

Incredibly deep malt richness. Coffee-like roast. A charred quality like burnt cookies. Strong malt foundation. When savored slowly on the tongue, hop bitterness with acidity emerges. True to Sierra Nevada’s style, none of this becomes excessive. I thought this beer targets a universally appealing sweet spot.

As it warms, the nuance shifts to chocolate with hops layered on top. Incredibly delicious. C-hop pear and white apple impressions follow pleasantly. The cookie-like malt character intensifies with warmth. Plus a barrel-aged whisky-like quality.

The Swallow

Licorice-like yet without dankness. Elegant.

Aftertaste

Not clingy, yet a definite dark chocolate quality persists. Lingers for quite a while. Alcohol presence isn’t heavy. Pleasant.

Overall Impression

An elegant beer with barrel-aged depth. I’d love to drink this regularly. Wish it were always available. That was my Sierra Nevada / Narwhal (Imperial Stout 12%) review!

Dregs

Strong alcohol on the nose. Not clingy in the mouth though. A curious sensation. Ginjo character is stronger? A sherbet-like, slightly grainy malt sweetness with some persistence lingers. Would pair well with cheese or pizza. A somewhat persistent cheesy aroma stands out. The swallow feels slightly grassy. True to Sierra Nevada — no dank impression whatsoever.

Overall Rating

Where to Purchase

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Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Narwhal (imperial stout 12%) — FAQ

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Narwhal (imperial stout 12%) — What does it taste like?

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Narwhal (imperial stout 12%) is an Imperial Stout. Please see the full article for a detailed review of the taste, aroma, and appearance.

Craft Beer Review: Sierra Nevada / Narwhal (imperial stout 12%) — Where can I buy it?

It may be available at specialty craft beer shops or online stores. If hard to find, check out Recommended Craft Beers for other great options.

stout — any other recommended options?

We review many stout on this site. Complete Guide to Dank IPAやDDH/TDH Beer Explained for more.

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