Aroma: “Coffee and chocolate, with lots of roast. Rich and slightly sweet, with a touch of molasses, cherry, raisin, dark plum, blackberry, and fruity esters. Light smoke, with some rich Munich-type malt in the background, and maybe a hint of herbal hops.”

Flavor: “Moderately sweet, with the dark fruity esters dominating up front and transitioning into a dark-chocolate character, for a cherry-cordial note. Notes of roast, smoke, coffee, and malt bitterness are balanced by the sweetness. The smooth mouthfeel mellows out the alcohol heat. Finishes with light smoke, chocolate, light cherries, and a touch of alcohol.”

Overall: “Ideal sweetness is balanced by a mix of acrid malt, hops, and alcohol. It’s an obviously big imperial stout with all the right stuff—an intensely complicated beer that continues to reveal new and fascinating flavors with every sip.”