2011 vintage, as a gift from Mike at Duckworth’s. Most generous, many thanks.
22 oz bottle with some really thick gold wax on top. Ding and the wax go to battle for a few minutes before I manage to prise the cap off. Wax seal like affair has 2011 embossed into the wax.
Pour is the requisite black, inky body, but with a very well retained head and some nice, cappuccino, sticky mocha colored lace.
The mouthfeel is pretty silky without being remotely cloying at all. Very smooth even considering the style.
Tastes reflect the style well, but it’s quite sweet and mild. It’s not that the honey actually shines through as a taste or even as a harsh sweetness, but it certainly significantly takes the edge off things – really rich and non-bitter.
There is a hint of hoppy character WAY in the back of the back end, but it is really not significant.
Alcohol is INCREDIBLY well hidden.
Tasty, very smooth.