Bottle. This was from 2001. Black, no head. Bitter chocolate and strongalmost medicinal aromas. Liquorice, chewy malts and tar, but I can’t get away from this medicinal nature that I found repulsive. 1.3/5.0 I think that my palate has changed over the past few years or perhaps the 2003 is more approachable. Had this 3 times recently, on a train back from Lewes with AndrewC, and twice at The Royal, Oak, Borough. Huge amount of character. Great aroma, still slightly medicinal, great wide mouthfeel and very interesting dark fruit flavours. So different to the run of the mill impy stouts. 4/5 2008 bottle as part of Advent calendar 2018. It says 2008 on the label. Not sure where I bought this. Pours deep deep black beer big lasting tan head. First time I had this I didn’t like it then I understood the next bottle more. So again really interested in seeing what this 10 year old beer is like. It’s a metal cap rather than the cork that used be the seal. Tarry aroma, dark chocolate, like medicinal aroma. Well it’s dark chocolate, tarry, some blackcurrant flavour. Light bitterness on the finish. Light sourness. Like sour molasses. Very smooth in the mouth. Good dark sour fruit on the finish. Black olive flavour. I loved this. So interesting yet so drinkable. 4.4/5

Cask at The Pilot, Maidstone, Kent. This is such a distinctive beer. A flowery hop and yeast nose leads to quite a sour hoppy flavour and a good bitter hop aftertaste. At times I would go miles to have a pint of this, other times the sourness sometimes puts me off. Very good though 3.5/5 Re-rate, The Bowl Inn, Hastingleigh 14/04/07 Almost the perfect bitter, lovely aroma, character and malt in the mouth and good biting hop finish. Great condition, great flavour. The Harp, Chandos Place 2011, it’s like the beer on turbo, fantastic delineation of flavour.s The Royal Oak 2013, THE perfect Best Bitter in my opinion.