Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

(On tap @ the brewpub, July 7/23) Pours basically black with a fairly thick medium brown head and some spotty lace. Notes of deeply roasted and lightly burnt grains, dark caramel with a touch of molasses, semi-sweet cacao, light coffee, moderately sweet up front but finishes nearly dry with some soft earthy bitterness, tobacco, a little nutty toasted grain, a little spent coffee and basically no roast acidity. Full-bodied, oily to creamy, softly carbonated, excellent texture for only 9% ABV, alcohol basically hidden. Super basic imperial stout that would be a good base for adjuncts or barrels.