Xocolatl
The last to sample from my Paddock Wood sampler pack. Pours out pitch black, absolutely impermeable to light, even sunlight. Dense tall spongy tan head with good retention. Aroma of rich roasted malt, soft chocolate notes, and some light woody tones. Even a touch of smokiness. The flavour is predominantly roasted malts, some coffee grounds in there as well, with intense cocoa rounding out the finish. Intense bitter chocolate on the aftertaste. Burnt wood appears well along the aftertaste. As biting as the flavour is, the mouthfeel is soft and rounded and full in its creaminess. This porter is intense with its roasted malt and the bitterness from the cocoa and coffee notes, it leaves the top of my palate puckering like a hop-heavy IPA would. Yet even the dryness of it soft and not sharp, making it a decently quaffable English porter with a couple of surprises.