By Jeff Evans

Nose

Smooth, creamy malt, with a touch of liquorice and light fruit (hints of pear drop).

Palate

Full, smooth and malty with a moreish oaky dryness. There are hops aplenty, and hints of liquorice, marzipan and cherry, but sweetness just has the edge.

Finish

Oaky-dry, hoppy and bitter but with a sugary malt note lingering on the lips.

Comment

A variation on a theme. This beer takes the oak-aged Old 5X that Greene King normally blends with a young beer to create Strong Suffolk and marries it with Old Speckled Hen.

By Sally Toms

Nose

Pear drops and grapefruit with malt underneath.

Palate

Warming with some pleasant oaky tannins.

Finish

Slightly sour to balance the sweet malt.

Comment

Really well put together. Lots of ingredients like a rich fruit cake!