Flashlight shows a deep, hazy, blood red color, head retention is excellent; smells of fruits, plum and pear, with subtle notes of smoke and hops underneath. The taste is semi-sweet, with notes of dark chocolate and cherries, and a crisp bite of smoke from the malts and minerals from the full bodied carbonation. The finish is dry and smoky, with a low to moderate bitterness and subtle herbal hop flavors. Overall, this is an excellent stout, I really wish they made an Imperial version of the Guinness Original, the bold flavors in that were amazing. This beer is the closest you’re gonna get, bold flavors, smooth body, exquisite balance, and decently sessionable from the well hidden alcohol content, it’s just not as bold as the Original, but still very good.
