“This imperial stout is our big gun. Aged in Australian, single malt whisky barrels for 8 months, then fresh barrels for a further 6. This results in a deep, rich whisky taste that’s extra smooth. Complimentary dark chocolate & vanilla notes give texture, balanced by a lasting finish. If you like whisky & you like big beer, this one’s for you.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Pitch black pour with a short dark brown head which quickly retreats to the rim. It leaves a reasonable lace considering the lack of retention.

Aroma: Oopht! Boilermaker or whiskey barrel aged Stout? Once its given a few minutes to settle the sweet vanilla scents come to the fore and really put the brakes on. The intensity and the burn is still there but the damp oak, old leather, whiskey, spice, decadent toffee and burnt caramel levels it all out. A really lovely aroma in the end.

Flavour: Similar reaction to the aroma. It hits the palate like a tonne of bricks but the way it slowly tapers off is noteworthy. It’s just all whiskey upfront; rich and warming dark fruits, toffee and chocolate with lighter notes of toasted oak, spicy rye and sherry. Again, that vanilla sweetness joins the party a little late and becomes a crucial counter balance to the fruity, rich and chocolatey finish.

Mouthfeel: Big, dense and warming. Co2 is pretty low and the body is full and muscly. The 11% ABV is definitely pronounced but expected at this size.

Overall: We weren’t too sure what to expect here. These guys are still very green so we must admit we’re pleasantly surprised. Yes it’s ridiculously rich and decadent but it all seems to come together well. We’re keen to see where these guys go to from here.