Bottle. Pours a thick and dark brown body with just a touch of a head that immediately becomes no more than a thin film on the surface. Aromas are of peat, bourbon, anise and a bit of a brown sugar sweetness. First sip reveals a wonderfully silky and full texture and a nice blending of smoke and peat flavors with molasses and brown sugar. Alcohol is readily detectable and the warmth compliments the flavors well. This is nice.

Deep orange-brown sediment-laden body, medium-thick creamy, dense buff-colored head. Brown sugar aroma with toffee, toast, and light caramels. Rich, toasty flavor, quite cerealy (Cheerios), with sweet brown sugar and light caramel tones. Woody and earthy, definitely creating the "twig-n-berries" effect I expect from this style. Creamy, dense and complex palate that avoids the sometimes harsh off-notes found in many examples of the style. Well-balanced and classy.

2003 draughtBrown and very muddy/hazy. Has some greys and some darker yellows. No head but decent lacing. Was surprised how well they did this one. Reminded me alot of Traquair House ale. Dark berrys and some brown sugar in the nose, touch of alcohol. Good slightly vinous malt, alcohol presence adds to flavor. Texture was a bit more smooth than coarse and salty, as I would have preferred, but the flavor still held up well. Lots of earthy malt, medium sweet, with a good enough dose of lightly roasted malt to not be too sweet. This brewery seems to go light on the fuggles hops, which is too bad, they are there, but only slightly on the finish. Could benefit from some more. Medium body, very little carbonation, but still some problems with thinning as it warms.