First sip is some kind of bitter smoke with even a slight fishy taste. The oak stands out quite a bit, as well, and it's definitely improving the strange taste that... I guess fishy is the only way I can describe it, but I'm not sure that it is the right one. The sip isn't terrible, but it's not the best thing ever. It certainly doesn't live up to the fancy label with it's nutty characters and strange language.
Tip-in is oak and smoke. Carbonation isn't intruding at all, and it just gives a tingle on the edges. The middle comes along with a very nice caramel and toffee mixing in with the smoke. It is a very nice, smooth, and flavorful middle, and this is where the great beers are made. The finish wraps things up with a dose of bitterness and then lets the spices smoke their way into the breeze.
Bottom Line: A very interesting beer that improves a bit closer to room temperature than outright cold.
3.0/5