Aroma: “Roast aroma with a light chocolate and a low vanilla. As it warms, a lot more vanilla starts to come out with a high sweetness. The roast character comes through in the nose. Chocolate and coffee are present. Creamy vanilla notes are very strong.”

Flavor: “Toasty and nutty malt with lots of vanilla and chocolate in the background. Moderately bitter throughout, with a moderate-to-strong sweetness in the finish. Medium body is a bit thin for the vanilla notes. A medium sweetness helps support the vanilla. There is a smoothness in this beer. Initial dry roast flavors are quickly replaced by the intense sweetness of the vanilla bean, which lingers to the end. Finishes medium-dry in terms of body, but the lingering vanilla makes it seem very sweet.”

Overall: “A lot of great flavors elements, but the beer lacks body to support the sweetness from the vanilla in the finish. Doesn’t have the body and silkiness I would expect from an oatmeal stout. Enjoyable and sweet. The vanilla was showcased and provided sweetness but not too sweet.”