Brand new Totem beer (still without official label even at the time I am writing this), the barrel aged variant of their highly distinct Speculoos Stout – I’m in for a treat. Thanks to Meeki for the can! Moussy, thick, mocha-beige, dense head over a black beer with wafer-thin mahogany edge. Expressive and powerful nose still brimming with ‘speculoos’, clove, toasted almond, cinnamon, dried ginger, gingerbread, lots of oak furniture too of course, brandy, old chocolate cake, hints of dried blackcurrant, smoked sausages or smoky-sweet barbecue sauce, biscuit, nutmeg. Sweet onset, yet nothing sticky, deep dark fruit jam effect (elderberry, blackcurrant), softly carbonated, very full and viscous mouthfeel – creating stickiness; thick layers of toffee, fondant and molasses ensue with a pecan-nutty edge accentuated by all that sweet and aromatic speculoos spiciness, mostly clove and cinnamon, blending with a retronasal vanilla-ish effect from the oak. The wood also adds tannic aspects but only very mildly so; a lot of peppery, brandy-like alcohol heats the finish, eventually becoming a bit astringent. Different, powerful and complex, a huge beer in many respects, but tuning down the booziness a bit and perhaps even ageing it a bit longer on wood to create more oakiness and soften the speculoos spices a bit, would perhaps improve this great beer even further. One I will certainly drink again when it is sold in its definitive form.

Can from Geers - I thought this was brand-new! Cloudy black, thin and thinning beige head. Aroma of macaroons, Bounty bar, dark toffee, whipped cream, cappuccino, vanilla (ice cream), prune, oats. Taste has sweet prune & date in a thick toffee & chocolate malty profile, creamy undertone with coconut accents sprinkled on top. Very, very slightly earthy-umami, some bitter fondant in the middle too. Earthy hoppy finish, creamy, burnt coco chips somewhat, lingering chocolate candy and rather boozy brown rum-like alcohol. Full body, oily texture, soft carbonation. Sweeter than the Speculoos Stout, way more accessible than the latest Smoked Stout, this is rich and tasty, somewhat in line with BrewDog's style I'd say.