Bottle. Tall Boys, Leeds. Viscous pour. Dark brown in the glass. Ring of lasting, tan head. Nose has bonfire toffee. Red wine dregs. Tobacco. Soft, sweet smoke. Some date and plum. Taste is sticky sweet, with a vinous, smoky bitterness. Mouthfeel is a little thin, and maybe doesn’t match the beer’s first impression. Soft carbonation. Finish is vinous and smoky bitter. Pretty good overall, but I’m not sure the base beer is big enough to stand the barrel ageing?

Bottle from the Tall Boys Beer Market, Leeds. Pours black with a small tan coloured head. Aroma of chocolate, roasted malt, vanilla, leather, tobacco and dark fruit. Medium sweetness, moderate roasted bitterness. Medium body, slight oily/slick texture, soft combination. Finish is dry, windy, with an increasing level of bitterness and a touch of sour.