8

Smooth, plenty of whiskey, good mouthfeel. Just an extremely solid imperial stout, no funny business or platypus venom involved.

8.4

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

750ml bottle [#1644, label says 2017]. Jet black colour with huge, thick, creamy, quasi unchanging, mostly lasting, moderately lacing, beige to tan head. Piney hoppy and roasty, chocolately, dark malty aroma, Black IPA impressions at first breath, some liquorice, notes of dark chocolate, some coffee, cautious oaky BA overtones with a vanilla touch, the massive, impervious head probably disguises more distinct flavours. Taste is dry, piney hoppy and slightly bitter, roasty dark malty, subte dark malty sweetness, notes of dark chocolate and coffee, some liquorice, hints of orange zest, orange flavoured chocolate; cautious BA hints with an oaky touch and some vanilla; oily-watery texture, smooth and soft, minimally sticky palate. Hop intensity settles this on the border between (Imperial) Black IPA and Impy Stout.