The aroma of salty malt on this beer is stronger than an ox on steroids. Taste wise this is foot to the floor darkness all the way to the finish flag, the bitterness of roasted malts dancing occasionally with the mealy texture and warming sweetness of jet black fruit and melting dark chocolate. This is a decent stepping stone Russian Imperial - a good beer for those beginning to dip their toe in expansive, crazy and brilliant world of dark beer.