7.6

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

Bottle from Deeside Drinks Emporium. It pours jet black with a medium dark tan head. The nose is roasted malt, chocolate, pretty strong aniseed, coffee, toffee and salted liquorice. The taste is roasted malt, coffee, cocoa powder, intensely fruity, plum, red grape, prune, tart berry, jam, mild acidity and subtle aniseed in the background. Full body, soft carbonation and oily mouth-feel. Alcohol is very well hidden. Good depth of flavour and well-balanced. I hope Deeside make more of these more interesting bottle-conditioned beers.