This is a thick, luxurious, opaque, deep black stout with a moderately dark head. Mild fruity esters of cherries and blackberries mingle with the dominant fragrances of roasted malt and brown sugar, while rich, sweet flavors of dark malts, creamy espresso and milk chocolate follow up on the palate. Any hop aroma, flavor and bitterness are almost lost in the dark landscape of this opulent stout and the roasty aftertaste closes with a slightly sweet footnote. Warm up this high-gravity beer in an oversized tulip glass cupped in both hands and experience its evolution into what could almost be described as an imperial sweet stout that emerges as clean, smooth and surprisingly approachable.