Pours deep brown, almost black. Dark off white head. Aroma is very strong, full of plum fruitiness which dominates. In behind are prominent spice aromas, sweet maltiness, yeast aroma like marmite and even some herb. Taste is quite sweet, but not overly so. Initially the tongue is greeted with a malty bitterness quickly backed up with a strong spice flavour. Then roast malt, clove and herb take over ending with sweet caramel. Fruit promised on the aroma isn’t delivered in the flavour, but is still amazing. Finishes slightly dry and sweet. Beautiful.

330 ml bottle purchased at Total Wine Pembroke Pines, FL for $3.79 Excellent.

Pours medium copper with big tan had. Aroma is sweet and malty, which is als reflected when tasting. A big bodied beer, sweet licorice, very smooth.

75cl bottle. Dark reddish brown, creamy beige head. Very alcoholic, sweet candi sugary aroma with liquorice, aniseed. Quite dull sugary flavor with same herbs, little roastiness and alcohol. Almost medium bodied with smooth carbonation. Nothing special here, average strong ale.

330ml bottle, 9th Nov 08. Beguiling odour of dark fruits and woodiness, which carries over to the flavour, thick with treacle and thorough maltiness. Deep brown with a thin whitish head. You feel the alcohol but you don’t taste it - a very good winter sipping beer.