This is a big fat meaty malty stout and no mistake.
Pouring black as tar with a thick creamy head, the smell is smoke, chocolate, prunes and cured meat.
Taking a big swig I’m immediately struck by a chocolate brick, dark and bitter and wearing a bran flake crown, smoking a pipe and carrying a big walnut staff.
There’s a good glug of black coffee in here too, along with a bowl full of stewed prunes ad a side helping of blackberries.
The hops cut across all this malty fatness with hazel switches and birch bark, a whole lawn and a handful of grape skins.
The finish is thick and mouth-coating and packed with treacle toffee, coffee and dark chocolate all enjoyed through a smoky fug.
This is a very good stout indeed.