7.8

Appearance - 7 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 9.5 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Cask (gravity) at Smithfield, Derby. Pours a cloudy very dark reddish-brown with minimal beige head. The aroma is mainly roasted malts with hints of chocolate. In the mouth it fluctuates between sweet and bitter with alcoholic strength very evident. Flavour is initially blackberries, roasted malts and chocolate, but spices and chilli come through later to mask the toher flavours. Finish is boozy and slightly fruity. This is very moreish !

7.4

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

7.5

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

Keg at the Pelican, Gloucester, 04/04/2025.
Light black with a tan cap that thins to a swirl.
Nose is bitter roast, earthy, liquorice, charr, spice, molasses.
Taste comprises bitter roast, earthy dried fruit rinds, charr, liquorice, toffee.
Full bodied, fine carbonation, semi drying close cloaked in an earthy roast.
Tidy old skool sipper.