By Jeff Evans

Nose

Biscuity roasted grains. Hop resins and fruit.

Palate

Sweet, with lots of hops and hop-fruit character, with orange zest to the fore. There's light vanilla in the full dark malt backdrop, with bitterness coming from both hops and malt.

Finish

Dry and nutty, with roasted grains and hops. Satisfyingly bitter with some light, lingering fruit.

Comment

A first-rate imperial stout with a distinct American accent, thanks to the skilful use of fragrant hops. The carbonation allows this near-black beer to drink much lighter than its 9.5% ABV.

By Robert Millichamp

Nose

Up front mocha chocolate and sweet toffee over figs, caramel, raisins, sultana and coffee notes with soft Belgian chocolate hints.

Palate

Warming smooth toffee and caramel, balancing a big roast malt character and assertive yet balanced hop bitterness over chewy malt.

Finish

More dominant roast malts and warming alcohols combined with a firm hit of bitter hop resins.

Comment

Big, chunky and assertive yet rounded, warming and smooth with well integrated flavours of caramel and toffee.