By Jeff Evans

Nose

Thick and oaky, with little else emerging apart from a hint of citrus fruit.

Palate

Full, silky and bittersweet, with plenty of creamy oak flavours that also dry the palate. Faint traces of lemon and suggestions of coconut.

Finish

Mellow, smooth and drying. Mildly bitter with more creamy oak and a squeeze of lemon.

Comment

An exceptionally smooth, well-rounded beer with oak kept nicely in check after dominating the aroma. Not too heavy or cloying, which makes it very quaffable.

By Glenn Payne

Nose

Vanilla aroma transient and only comes through when agitated.

Palate

Frazzled vanilla flavour strikes the palate and melds with burnt toffee to linger long.

Finish

A little thin and the vanilla is too dominant.

Comment

Blonde in colour. Would benefit from more body and a counterbalance to the vanilla.