(Bottle) Black colour with creamy, pale brown head. Malty, roasted nose with notes of dark chocolate, dark bread, oak wood, vanilla, pecan nuts, prunes and liquorice. Malty, roasted, sweetish taste with dark bread, dark chocolate, oak wood, bourbon, vanilla, nuts, prunes, liquorice, a touch of peat and a mild cacao bitterness in a sweet and warming finish. Full body, sweet. Rich and warming. Good balance. Very nice.

Bottle at ash's. Pours black, nose is chocolate, plum, coffee, vanilla, toffee, taste is jammy fruits, sweet toffee, chocolate, vanilla, something a little smoky. 4 2

Bottle thanks to Stuu.
Appearance - jet black with a thin tan to fawn head.
Nose - molasses and burnt treacle. Tar and wood.
Taste - more treacle, blackberry and wood again.
Palate - medium bodied, dry and lightly woody middle and finish.
Overall - lovely stuff!

bottle at ashs . .. deep black ...thin tan lacing ...soft sweet earthy blackcurrant chocolate roast malts nose ...soft sweet chocolate Roast malts ...thin body ...soft sharp chocolate roast ...heavy chocolate ..big bourbon

Was meant to be for the cup celebration. Dark black pour with a tan head; aromas of whisky at first, then vanilla and fresh oak, later some hints of fruit (orange). Tastes of (dark) cocoa/chocolate, cherries, liquorice, milk/cream hints of pepper. Long-lasting fnish. Nice stuff.

(Bottle) clear, very dark brown colour with a small brown head; aroma of roast, milk chocolate, treacle; rich, balanced flavour with a long, medium bitter sweet finish; thick palate

Can't believe I have missed this beer in version 02 and 03 - as I thought it was the same every year (and really thought the first time I saw it, was 04). Anyone else confused - well, this is 2020 after all :P This one pours a real dark brown, almost black colour with hardly any highlights. A light-mocha coloured creamy head that has great retention and lacing. Big dark fruit aromas of prunes to start with. Then, chocolate, coffee, roasted malts and some nice leather bitterness comes out. Creamy, silky mouthfeel with just enough hops to give a slight dry, and not too syrupy. Burnt barley flavours with some hints of maple syrup and well-blended hops. A tad of tart is left on the tongue. A nicely balanced Imperial Stout that shows richness, but also drinkability. To this, fuck 2020.