7.8

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

May 2011: 330 ml bottle, from Ølbutikken, Copenhagen. ABV is 8.8%. Mahogany coloured beer, large off-white head. Malty aroma, notes of caramel, but also some fruity and spicy notes. Gordon / John Martin are known for some pretty sweet beers, so I braced myself to tolerate an enormous sweetness. Well, their Xmas is sweet, but not more than I’m able to handle. Very rich and malty flavour, notes of caramel, dark dried fruits and mild spices. The sweetness is to some degree balanced by moderate hops in the finish. Not a beer to go with Christmas dinner, but excellent to savour on its own, or with Christmas cookies, chocolate and fruit. Will buy again, if I can find it for Christmas.

4.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 3 | Flavor - 3 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 4

Auburn with a frothy head. Caramel and plum aroma. Something faintly vinegary. Something is off, but I’m not sure if it’s an unclean tap or the beer. Moderate sweet. More off weirdness. Medium-bodied, mild carbonation. Boozy. No thanks.

7.9

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7.5 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Servida en copa Gordon, color granate oscuro, espuma beige claro cremosa abundante y perfectamente retenida. Aroma no muy potente, pero si atractivo a caramelo, toffe, frutos negros, ciruela madura, maltas oscuras, pasas... En boca, destaca de entrada el dulzor maltoso y acaramelado, que contrasta y equilibra con un final levísimamente amargo, a destacar unas interesantes notas de frutos rojos y cerezas que, aparte de dar diversión y alegría al paladar, aportan el puntito de acidez que redondea maravillosamente el trago. Definitivamente es una pequeña delicia esta cerveza.

7.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

clear mahogany colour, one inch of creamy beige-ish ecru head, which lasts for quite a few minutes; aroma of dark berries, butterscotch, some orange peel and hints of vanilla; taste is the same with hints of spicy alcohol; quite good one

7.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

On tap at Craft Beer Oasis, Crewe. Pours a dark ruby red with an ample cream head. Aroma is restrained, but dark fruits and caramel can be determined. Lots happening in the mouth though. Plenty of dark fruits, cake, molasses, roast malts, and spices. Plus traces of plums and cherries. Sweet on the tongue, but sharp in the throat. An excellent spiced winter beer.

7

Bottle from Drinks Vanuxeem, Ploegsteert, Belgium. Pours a hazy chestnut brown with a reddish hue with a large foamy off white head. Faint aromas of dry dark fruits, caramel and toasty brown bread. Taste has lots of dark fruits, berries, plums, caramel, fruit cake, brown bread, some brown sugar and also some roasted malts on the finish. Very nice balance between fruity, roasty and sweet. Medium to full body with low carbonation and smooth mouthfeel. Excellent beer and very Christmasy.

8

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