(Cask at Wenlock Arms, London, 8 Aug 2008) Black colour with frothy, pale brown head. Malty, roasted nose with notes of strong black coffee and dark chocolate. Malty, roasted taste with black coffee, cocoa, wild berries, prunes and raisin. Fairly bitter finish with cocoa and coffee. Complex and lots of taste. More character than the 4% abv would suggest. Very nice one.

Bottle at home ... Deep dark brown ... brown foam head ... lots of coffee roast nose ... bit over fizzy ... deep roast coffee malts ... bit thin in its mouth feel...

Considering the style, Scores ranging from 1 to 5, 5 being the most intense
Appearance:
Body:   Clear(1)->Murky(5) : 3     Light Brown(1)->Pitch Black(5) : 4     Still(1)->Sparkling(5) : 3
Head:   None(1)->Large(5) : 2   Off-White(1)->Dark Brown(5) : 2   Lasting: 1   Lacing : 1   Nitro : XX
Aroma:
Intensity : 2  
Yeast : 2   Bread : 2   Apple : XX   Tropical Fruits : XX   Ink : XX   Tar : XX   Olives : XX   DMS : XX
Malt : 3   Biscuity : XX   Burnt Toast : XX   Caramel : XX   Nuts : 2   Pumpernickel : XX   Cereals : 2   Coffee : 2   Dark Chocolate : XX   Vanilla : XX   Grapes : XX   Blackberries : 2   Cherries : XX
Hops : 3   Noble(1)->American(5) : 2   Leafy : 2   Floral : XX   Lemon/Lime : XX   Grapefruit : XX Orange : XX   Herbal : XX   Pine/Spruce/Resin : XX
Notes :   Earth : 2   Wood : XX   Mint : XX   Smoke : XX   Soy : XX   Bourbon : XX   Anise : XX
Flavor:
Initial Flavor : Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 3   Finish Dry(1)->Sweet(5) : 2   Sourness : XX   Lactic : 2   Bitterness : 3   Complex : XX   Length : XX
Palate:
Light(1)->Full(5) : 3   Flat(1)->Fizzy(5) : 2   Clean : XX   Sharp : XX   Watery : XX   Oily : XX   Chalk : XX   Astringent : XX   Alcohol : XX   Mineral : XX   Oxidation : XX   Metallic : XX

Comments: Rather unfocused and not heading in any particular direction. Medium-bodied. No concentration.

Cask handpull at Wenlock. Black, thin beige head. Ashtray, charcoal, liquorice beer. Fairly intense aroma. Good rounded stout.

Draught at Wenlock Arms. Dark with a thin off white head. Sweet malt and coffee nose. Flavour is of coffee grounds and malt with a hint of cocoa. Watery and thin and far too mild. Maybe a re-rate from the bottle is in order.