 willblake (1942), Long Branch, New Jersey, USA
May 25, 2005
05.22.05 2002, bottled 2004, 136/225 thanks to JoeeC5, Jimmack invitational. Beautiful brew, and Joe is a real gem for sharing this with the crew. Aroma is quite woody, musty, decadent. There’s certainly an AleSmith house character, I’m starting to realize. Velvet body is soft, smooth, and so so long on the palate. Gorgeous. Despite its age, this beer is still damned hot. Lots of alcohol presence even though it’s not all that high of an ABV (10%); the alcohol does seem to be integral to the role that the wood has brought to the scene. The extra smoothness of sweet cream and honey-butter that oak have brought to the table are kept in check by the peppery, numbing heat of the resurgent alcohol. Flavors are full of brown sugar, some candied fig, light leafy bitterness. I get something earthy, too, sort of detritus-ish, but that might be my imagination. If nothing else, this beer deserves some bonus points just for being so interesting. Thanks a million for sharing this one, Joe!
thickfreakness (107), Austin, Texas, USA
Oct 13, 2008
Thanks to bgramer for this awesome bottle. This was a 2006 bottle number 58 of 208.
I was saving this one for a special occasion but my hand was forced today with this one. I was moving things around in my beer fridge and this puppy fell an entire 1 foot to the floor and began to spew everywhere. Luckily only a few ounces were lost and I could salvage most of it to drink.
Pours a hazy amber/ruby color with little to no head. Its so thick in the glass it almost has legs. Aroma is an amazing mix of bourbon and malts; sweet vanilla honey, oaky tannins, nutty, creamy/buttery, ripe pit fruit. The aroma really reminds me of the 2003 Utopias I enjoyed over the course of the summer. Flavor isn’t as good as the smell but still pretty good; harsh oak at first before warming then some of the more subtle flavors begin to come out: vanilla, fruit, alcohol, nuttiness. At warm temp it was still dominated by the oak but it began to mesh more and it became quite delicious. Extremely dry finish and viscous mouthfeel with not too much carbonation. An excellent offering from Alesmith.
sauceyhops (20), carlsbad, California, USA
Oct 7, 2008 2006 750 ml bottle. Immediate bourbon nose with hint of dark fruit. Pours a dark and thick brown. Minimal head with pleasant carbonation. A couple years in the bottle did this one well. Fruity with bourbon accents that smooth it out gorgeously. Not too much alcohol in the taste but pleasantly warming. I will be trying to get my hands on more of this as soon as I can. Great brew.
nqualls (422), Tennessee, USA
Oct 6, 2008 Bottle. Poured a cloudy brown color with almost no head (a few stray bubbles). Aroma of oak, vanilla and fruit. Flavor of smoke, bourbon and fruit. Warming alcohol finish. Medium/full body with soft carbonation and a very creamy mouthfeel.
BOLTZ7555 (532), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Oct 4, 2008 Bottle acquired via trade with iowaherkeye!!! Thanks again Joey!!! This brew pours a murky burnt orange with a nice dense eggshell head. Aroma exhibits the nose of the original but also includes faint vanilla, oak, and smoke. Flavor is dominated by brown sugar, dark fruit, and caramel. You can taste the influence of the barrel but it isn’t as apparent as one would believe. A great beer, as are most from this brewery. Less noticeable alcohol than the BA Speedway. JOEY...YOU ROCK!!!
Beer_Hawk (767), Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA
Sep 29, 2008 2005 Bottle (138/223) shared by illinismitty and tasted side by side with the regular ’05 Old Numbskull. Poured a hazy brown, which is slightly darker that the regular ON, with no head. Great aromas of oak, vanilla, nut, and dark fruits. Sweet flavor of bourbon oak mixed with a nice malty backing. Medium to full body, creamy and smooth. Excellent! Thanks Sean!
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