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

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

Imperial milk stout by a Romanian craft brewery, bottle from Drankgigant bought online and shared with Craftmember. Medium thick, pale yellowish beige, dense, shred-lacing head, retaining well in relation to ABV; pitch black robe leaving no light through. Aroma of chocolate sauce, treacle, teriyaki, fudge, mocha ice cream, furniture polish, coffee cream, hazelnut paste, gelato stracciatella, almond, nougat, ruby port, vanilla-like oak flashing but little actual woodiness – yet actual added vanilla does come up very recognisably. Densely sweet, thick onset, candied dates, yellow raisins and chocolate from the start, softly carbonated with utterly thick and syrupy mouthfeel consisting of thick slabs of fudge, hazelnut paste, milk chocolate and toffee with a touch of roasty-bitterish mocha developing further into more ‘oldskool’ coffeeish roasted bitterness enhancing the already mouth-filling effect from the lactose. A leafy hop note sits at the back, piercing through the thick layers of malts and sugars, even hints of bayleaf and vague liquorice are noticeable (while wood flavours oddly remain very subtle), but this thick caramelly and chocolatey sweetness remains the main flavour, even when highlighted by some whisky-like, warming alcohol. Feels like a hot chocolate milk with a good splash of cognac thrown in it – an ideal drink after a chilling winter walk, one to sip slowly as the syrupiness of course seriously decreases drinkability. Nevertheless, the ‘double’ effect of a milk stout, in ‘milkiness’ (creaminess), sweetness and alcohol is an idea accurately conveyed here – this is a powerful and sweet, but altogether well-made stout delivering what it promises. Reminds me a bit of the boldness of Hop Hooligans, that other innovative and bold Romanian craft brewery.