Aroma: “Nose is relatively mild. Light chocolate up front. As it warms, a bit of alcohol and more chocolate. Low hops aroma, no sweetness. Light sherry note. As it warms, slight fruity esters (plum, pear, cherry). Less chocolate and roast than expected. Some woody English character. Black licorice mixed with dark chocolate.”

Flavor: “Rich roast and chocolate up front that is moderately dry. Moderate astringency throughout the sip that emphasizes the alcohol at the end and into the aftertaste. Smooth and strong, roast is medium. Alcohol warmth gets your attention without being harsh. Hop flavors medium strong, resinous, spicy. Some tart notes in the aftertaste. Thin bodied.”

Overall: “Dry with roast, chocolate, and alcohol that are all fighting to be #1. The roast and alcohol finish in the aftertaste leaving the chocolate hanging. Slight sharpie note, perhaps a bit too much black patent malt. Seems to be aged, mostly good oxidized but some flattening of malt notes.”