 GAManiac (265), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Jun 25, 2008
Pours a cloudy deep copper with a dense head that dissipated quickly to a ring foam leaving sporadic lacing. The first aroma is the big sweet caramel malt smell with raisins, dates and subtle earthy hops. This is followed by a big bourbon backbone along with some sweet vanilla beans. The taste actually has more bourbon than the smell with a more prominent molasses sweetness. The caramel malts and earthy hops are still there as well, but the bourbon really comes out in the taste with a serious alcohol burn. The mouthfeel is medium bodied and very creamy. The is a very good bourbon barleywine but the heavy bourbon presence means that getting through one of these would make for a good night.
Sammy (3023), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aug 20, 2008 Great barleywine, courtesy of Derek. Alias the Y2K barrel-aged. The bourbon aroma is mellow and pleasing The ruby colour and white bubbly head. Beatiful lace. Rich taste, the bourbon is intrinsic and its mellowed somewhat.
cbkschubert (1555), Skyline, Arizona, USA
Aug 19, 2008 2008 12 oz. bottle via trade with KingpinIPA - Pours a reddish-brown color with a 3/4 finger thick light tan head. Very light spotty lacing. Aroma is fruity esters, sweet doughy malt and a touch of oak/bourbon. Quite nice. The barrel aging is a bit more noticeable in the flavor. The flavor also has a good bit of esters and some malt sweetness. The alcohol is quite noticeable in the finish. Medium to full body. A nice sipper. Thanks Mike.
SpringsLicker (1812), Tennessee, USA
Aug 19, 2008 Thanks to decaturstevo for this one.
Reddish amber with a small off-white head.
Malty bourbon aroma.
Fruity cherry flavor loads of sweet malt.
Tasty English style BW.
AndrewKScott (319), Lemont, Illinois, USA
Aug 19, 2008 Reddish with a tan head. Aroma is buttery, vanilla, oak, butterscotch and, mostly, hot with alcohol. FLavor is oaky, bourbon to the forfront with some hops and candied malts. Alcohol is very present, with a creamy mouthfeel. Finish is long lasting and bourbony. I think this needs to be cellared a bit.
Philip (378), Illinois, USA
Aug 18, 2008 Tasted at Great Taste, but rating is from a bottle. They now have a new bottle (not pictured above) that lists this as "Bourbon Barrel Barleywine" with a purple label and a description. Onto the beer: I enjoyed this side by side with JW Lees 1997 Harvest Ale, which was the superior of the two. This has the notes of vanilla and a touch of soy one the nose leading into date and caramel, with a hoppy, dry finish. I imagine this will be drinking better in about 3-4 years, when the hops are more muted and it sweetens up a bit. Overall it lacked the complexity of some of the best barleywines, although it was still solid and enjoyable.
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