Aroma: “Strong roast and peppercorn aromas with slight dark fruit esters. Chocolate and coffee are prominent. Some nice dark malt sweetness of caramel adds to the nose. Dark and exotic.”

Flavor: “Complex blend of roast, biscuit, cherry, peppercorn, and alcohol. Hops bitterness lingers but is not prominent. Balance is on the malt side, and this is definitely a heavy example of an imperial stout—rich and roasty. Nice earthy character and some lemon sweetness with slight bitterness which helps to cut the sweetness. Coffee roast character is buoyed by the bright, peppery alcohol. Rich, dense, and extreme.”

Overall: “Heavy and thick makes this a sipper. The roast and peppercorn create a complex blend with the high level of alcohol. Very enjoyable—sweet and chocolaty and balanced well. Very smooth and very approachable.”