UPDATED: DEC 17, 2018 Pitch black color, almost inky purple, which was a surprise. Very hoppy with dark fruit and massive dark chocolate notes. The hops are super aggressive in this. The mouth shows the same aggressiveness with some raisin. Massive bitterness and the oak comes out at the end. A bit too over the top for me, but not bad

Bottle split at RB Best Encomium share, Santa Rosa, 30/01/16 - Many Thanks ! Pitch black topped with a dirty tan swirl. Nose is light smoke, dark malts, black peppery spice, toffee, light oxidised notes. Taste comprises sticky toffee pudding, dark fruit rinds, molasses, toffee fudge, cocoa sprinkle, dates. Full bodied, fine carbonation, warming alcohol in the close. Decent enough impy but starting to lose its touch with age.

Rating 7600! 750mL bottle with huge thanks to burg326. Enjoyed at his place after Huny Day, 3/12/16. Black pour with a small tan head. Complex aroma, ashy, char, coffee, dark chocolate, roasted malts, hints of dark fruit, caramel. Good flavor, rich, ashy, dark chocolate, coffee, touches of dark fruit and acidity, mild oxidation. Good stuff! Glad to have finally tried it!

Bottle at the Ratebeer Awards.Pours black with small tan head that diminishes to nothing. The aroma is strong roast, cedar, chocolate, booze. Thick mouth, chewy, chocolate, dark fruit, smoke finish, very nice.

[1/30/16] Bottle sample at the Encomium bottle share, after RateBeer Best awards ceremony at Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel in Santa Rosa. Thanks everyone who shared bottles! Black with a tan head. Oxidation, sherry, chocolate, cookies, sweet, fruitiness. Full-bodied. Very good.

Bottle at the Rate Beer Awards Festival Bottle Share. Nose is roasty coffee, chocolate, wood. Thin, dry flavor, café au lait and cocoa. Rather simple Probably not is its best condition.

Bottle. Opaque black liquid with small tan head. Aroma of licorice, smoke, mint, wood, booze and chocolate. Taste is medium sweet and light bitter with notes of raw sugar, licorice and chocolate. Full bodied with low to medium carbonation. Quite rotten, but good.

Bottle at RBWG 2016. Nose is an amazing tar and leather with a hint of smoke. Pitch black with a brown head molasses as it warms. Taste is just as amazing. Just a thick viscous luscious ebony dream. Light smoke, anise, some pepper. Grate

Bottle shared. Black pour with thin tan foam. Aroma is fruity, roasty, light oxidization. Taste is roasty, sweet, dried fruits, light alcohol. Palate is med full bodied with good carbonation. Not bad.

Bottle thanks to northernbrews for sharing. Black pour with a small creamy head that fades to a thin ring. Aromas are chocolate syrup, alcohol, tobacco, and light roast. Tastes like raisins and tobacco mostly, some chocolate and caramel sweetness. Noticeable oxidation. Slightly spicy and woody finish. I bet this was better a few years ago.