Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 3 | Overall - 14

Disappointing, especially at 9% abv. There was almost no nose to the bottle I sampled. The body was a bit thin, but strikes a reasonable hop and caramel malt balance. The alcohol is well masked, I will say that.

Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 6 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 3 | Overall - 15

head is an attractive dark tan on a black body. The nose has some coffee and chocolate with a hint of bubble gum and some whiffs of something medicinal. The taste has bittersweet chocolate, a thick maltiness, coffee and a hint of cherry and other dark fruits. There is more effervescence than you would expect in a Russian imperial stout, which blunts many of the taste elements.

Appearance - 4 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 7 | Texture - 3 | Overall - 16

Lively tan head on a surprisingly dark brown body. Significant nose of Grapefruit, bubble gum and rum. Taste is dominated by bready malt, with subplots of resigny hops, caramel, prunes and boozy warmth. The hops present in the nose are there, but muted by the 12% ABV and malt presence. This is a very rich tasting, mid-bodied DIPA. Enjoyable as a sipper. Lovely balance but a bit light on complexity.

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

Draught. Nice consistency, coffee aroma, some chocolate. Tasted fantastic, a bit of a malty finish. Found it to be surprisingly good.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 5 | Flavor - 6 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 6.5

Draft, pours brwn /medium head. Hops overpowers a bit. Not bad but not great either.

It's okay. Heavy flavor but hangs around in a funky aftertaste.

Not a whole hell of a kick. Smoked porters should knock your block off and I'm getting none of that.

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

Notes from May 2010 Two unmarked, surely a bit past-date bottles into my 25oz glass mug. Pretty, gurgling pour. Foggy, dull orange/amber body. Big, lumpy, off-white clumps of foam fill nearly half the glass, leaving isolated bits of lace here & there as it falls. Smell is crispy bran flakes upfront, followed by some butter toffee. Slight banana esters, a touch of peppery hops, & a doughy center keep my attention. Crusty bread & pinching, leafy greens first come to mind. Mild, pleasing orange rind, dry toast, & a sprinkling of yeast. Not much ugly at all coming from the ringwood yeast. Feel is nice. Moderately carbonated with a bit of body, but eventually turning thin & very dry. Not sure why it's sold as a winter ale, as it's not full bodied, a stout, spiced, aged in xxx, big on abv., etc. etc. Whatever, it's pretty decent alternative to all that stuff when the store is flooded with it. :)

Very extreme - bitter, almost overly rich, thick…it’s good but hard to stomach too much.

Very heavy coffee flavor, a bit thin mouthfeel.