“Brewed with a base of two-row and maris otter, plus roasted barley, chocolate malt, and a slew of English crystal malts, our imperial stout delivers rich cocoa, dark fruit, and a smoky essence – just the companion you need for that midnight flight you have to take.”
Glassware: Tulip.
Appearance: Glossy black with a persistent two finger head forming on top. Good retention and healthy lace as it subsides.
Aroma: Lots of bottom end – charred malts, dark chocolate, cacao, espresso coffee, earthy truffle and choc chip cookies make up the bulk of it. Some fleeting hints of peat, vanilla and dark spice also coming through. Something a little fruity too which gains traction as it comes up to room temperature. Not bad.
Flavour: Dark, roasty and slightly charred with that molasses-like richness cutting in. The booze (9.5%) starts throwing its weight around early in the mid moving in to a rather bitter espresso coffee roast. Light smoky notes, charred wood and cacao tie it all up as a warming roasty bitterness sits on the back palate.
Mouthfeel: Maybe just lacking a bit of body. It’s nicely carbonated and light on for its size but for an impy stout we’re looking for a bit more density.
Overall: Not as impressed as we thought we’d be after their first entry. Yes it’s still a well structured stout but it’s lacking viscosity and definitely missing that knockout blow.