Special London Porter
Meantime Brewing Company Limited

Perfectly olive black, with a thin, camel-beige head that covers up any highlights that might interrupt this ale's perfect darkness along the rim of the glass. Absolutely sumptuous nose, big on licorice and vanilla and coffee - a delightful marriage of whisky and porter. A touch smoky and phenolic, with some raisin and fig notes as well. The flavor is enormously licoricey, with a punch of amaretto that combines with coconut, vanilla, and chocolate notes to conjure an image of Almond Joy bars. Sweet with mocha and nuts, espresso beans and rum. This is not exactly balanced, but there is a bit of snappy alcohol and floral hops that save this from abysmal cloyingness. Notes of root beer, brown sugar, and cola turn up as well. As for the whisky, it is well-integrated. It doesn't stand out as a flavor in and of itself, but rather it interweaves with the beer itself to make this devastatingly deep and complex. (BrewDog could learn a thing or two from this beer to improve their Paradox line.) Thick, chewy, and oily on the palate - one of the thickest beers I've ever had, and since this is on cask, the carbonation doesn't do much to lighten the load. It could be, and probably should be dryer - but of course that might interfere with this beer's unique intensity. Definitely a sipper, and I'd reckon this would be a great dessert/digestif beer. Well done, Meantime!