Oro Negro
(has 3 batches)

Spiced version of Oil of Aphrodite (which is delicious enough on its own), with cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon and habanero peppers - the Mayan-Aztec theme in imperial stout, in other words, as popularized by Cigar City's Hunahpu's, among others. Irregularly lacing, pale greyish beige, moussy, quickly dissipating and opening head over a very dark burgundy bronze beer - as good as black, but still largely translucent. Lovely, desserty and spicy bouquet of chocolate liqueur, walnut oil, milk chocolate (the cocoa no doubt), vanilla indeed, sweet 'paté', cinnamon, Christmas pudding, brown rum, caramel and a peppery whiff which probably refers to the habaneros. Candied sweet onset, fig compote, dried banana, lingering brown sugariness but not sticky and matched with an underlying sourish touch (subtly so) and a thin umami accent - yet it is the sweetness which prevails, especially when a deeply caramelly and chocolatey maltiness comes in; soft carbonation, thick and oily, pleasantly slick mouthfeel. Long, spicy finish, a lot of bitter chocolate and vanilla, cinnamon very noticeable too but well-integrated into the whole; the habanero peppers add a mild spiciness, but not the expected burn. Lots of warming, walnut liqueur- and rum-like alcohol too, as is to be expected. This is a masterpiece without a doubt, perhaps not in originality, but certainly in technical skill and density of flavours. One of the best of the evening at the Gentse Biervereniging's Nieuwjaarsreceptie.

8 4 8 3 17 Bottle shared at Platypus After Tasting. Black with a small beige head. Aroma of cinnamon, chocolate, gingerbread, caramel and chilli. Flavour is heavy sweet and moderate bitter. Full bodied with a chilli burn in the finish and soft carbonation.