Appearance is oily black, no head at all despite a vigorous pour. Aroma is rich dark chocolate, vinous, espresso coffee, Black Forest gateaux, tar, leathery notes, freshly-laid tarmac, cherry, Christmas pudding, cherry brandy, rich boozy fruitcake, plums and other dark fruit. Taste is red wine, port, blended Christmas pudding, sour, alcohol burn, plum pudding, blackcurrant, boozy dark fruit, more red wine, booze-soaked cherry, earthy woody malt. Flat carbonation. Interesting, quite hard to get through.

Bottle from Beer Cave. Appearance - opaque black with a quickly disappearing head. Nose - brown sauce, salty, tapenade and raisins. Taste - black rice wine vinegar, tapenade again, salt and vinegar, soy sauce and still dried fruits immersed in wood. Palate - medium bodied, dry middle and sour woody finish. Overall - I like it.