7.1

Appearance - 10 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

Can from Lupe Pintos. Black body with a beige head. Low carbonation. Faint lacing. Aroma of dark chocolate, raisin and maple syrup. Flavour of vanilla, nutty malt and umami. Medium body with a smooth texture. Soft fizz. A solid beer but lacks the depth of my favourite imperial stouts.

7.2

Appearance - 6 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 8

Dark chocolate & vanilla aroma. Malt, vanilla, marzipan & chocolate tastes with a fruity finish. A bit thin for the ABV.

7.4

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

440ml can. Pours jet black with a large head. Aroma is milk chocolate, roast and vanilla. Taste has yeasty milk chocolate throughout with roast and vanilla on the finish.

7.6

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 7.5

Can thanks to Ashton McCobb. Pours black with a thin beige head. Aromas of dark chocolate, nougat, hazelnut. Taste adds peanut and honeycomb, more dark chocolate. Rich finish.

7

Can from Appellation Wines. Appearance - mat black and a foamy beige head. Nose - dark chocolate, bitter orange and a hint of raisin. Taste - vanilla and sweet chocolate. Still some dried fruit lurking. Palate - medium bodied, creamy middle and some decent bitterness on the finish. Overall - decent example of a pastry Stout.

6.2

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 5 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 6

Keg draught at the Real Ale Classroom, Leicester city centre. Dark brown, a bit translucent with a ring of khaki/tan head. Aroma: Tootsie roll smell. If you've ever had one, you'll know what I mean. Big chocolate lying sweet taste with blackberry overtones. Some odd bitter/sourness nearing the finish which throws the balance right off. Hate to go in about a 'rare mis-step' but... yeah, I am struggling with this one more than I should for an impy.