I sip and find it to be wickedly smoky. I mean, I'm starting to expect Smoky the Bear to come running in to put out a forest fire. It has some unexpected fruitiness in there with some deeper underneath - it is caramel and coffee with the sweet undertones of the malt.
A proper swig will tell me more.
Tip-in is empty; it's a vessel waiting to be filled. Gently, it starts to get sweet. The sweetness builds into a torrent of taste with carbonation whirling around the middle. Then, a bitterness grips with a smoke-filled glove. The fruits sit around the edge of the tongue watching as the finish starts to take hold. the finish reminds me of harder drink with the harshness of the alcohol taste (even though this has a relatively small amount in it). The bitter/sweet taste stays on the lips after the drink is done.
The whole experience is an excellent one. It is a very, very good porter. I like porters, and this is a good example.
4.75/5