“This year’s release is a blend of 18, 12 and 8-month old bourbon barrel aged Dark Star in 12-year old Kentucky Bourbon barrels. The roasted and chocolate malts copliment the smooth oats to bring you a stout delight wrapped in the gentle embrace of bourbon barrel aged warmth.”

Glassware: Snifter.

Appearance: Impassable black with a short dark brown head emerging on top. It snaps back to the rim and leaves some spotty lace as we go.

Aroma: Phwoar! This is seriously intense. The oaky bourbon barrels certainly play a big part in it.. throwing spice, vanilla/coconut and dark fruit sweetness at us. Behind it is a freaking vicious mix of heavily roasted malts, molasses, raw cacao, espresso, booze, salty dark chocolate, licorice, cigars and burnt toast. Brilliant.

Flavour: Oh man…mirror image of the aroma. Jam packed full of bourbon oak and adjuncts but still so palate friendly which is insane! Especially considering the list of extras – dark chocolate, espresso, licorice, burnt toast, molasses, raw cacao, dark fruits and kind of smoky charred wood. It keeps on carrying on the back palate too.

Mouthfeel: Dense and oily. Full body, low Co2. 14% ABV is absurd but unbelievably well behaved.

Overall: Kind of difficult to put in to words how God damn good this is. So vicious but so beautifully balanced and down right delicious. If only it were more readily available in Australia. World class drop.