7.9

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

(On nitro at Bryden’s, Dec 2013) Poured basically black, clear deep mahogany when the glass got low, with a decent-sized tan-coloured dense nitro head, good retention and lots of lace. Aroma had lots of deep bourbon, wood, vanilla and lightly smoky charred notes, light coffee, roast malt - smell of liquor but not hot and boozy. The flavour is surprisingly smooth, rich but not a barrel/alcohol bomb. The initial palate holds the same barrel character, some chocolate, malt roast is light to moderate for the style and not bracingly bitter. From mid-palate on it’s got a really creamy texture and taste like a rich cup of cocoa, could believe there are oats in here, lingering chocolate, barrel and bourbon notes in the finish. Mouthfeel is moderate, creamy but not sticky, soft nitro ’carb’, alcohol completely hidden. I really like this, it’s not an in your face RIS but there’s a lot going on and it’s dangerously drinkable.