Special X is a dark toasted malt that adds unique and complex flavor and color characteristics to wort. It adds a nice dark red to brown hue to beers, and has a toasted aroma that brings to mind stone fruits. As far as flavors go, it is toasted but mild, coming through gently on the palate with no harsh astringency. While it adds some malt character, it is not overly sweet like a dark crystal malt. While the stone fruit sweetness comes out more in dark crystal malts, it is more in the background in the flavor profile of Special X, as the toasted flavors take the center stage. A wonderful addition to many mid-to-dark colored beers, this malt is recommended for up to 20% of the grist and can be used in ambers, altbiers, bocks, schwarzbier, dark Belgian ales and abbey beers, and a range of English ales including old ale, porters and stouts. A wonderfully complex toasted malt, now available to you from Great Fermentations!