I'm sorry, I know Steve doesn't give a monkeys about what I say, but it just wasn't to my taste... it's been a long time since I drank something that dark, so I think my palate has just changed over time. It's not that I didn't like it, I think in some ways, I just didn't "get it", pity really.
I managed to run two shots of the SQM winter blend before leaving London, and that I found much easier to get on with, I'm not sure that the blend was quite as seasonal (definitely not as dark, or as spicy) as what Steve was trying for, but with only two quick doubles pulled, I was far from getting everything out of it that it has to offer.
I'm sure there are loads of people that will love the HB Xmas blend though.