Deschutes Mirror Mirror Barleywine

Brewed by Deschutes Brewery
Style: Barley Wine
Bend, Oregon USA

Serve in Snifter

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2005 bomber shared by Muzzlehatch on 3/11/06
Dark chestnut, with a polished/stained oak glossiness to it, despite being lightly hazy (though it settles out with some clarity). Bubbly and with a beige head that is initially large, but slowly receding to cover with light, spotty lacing.
The nose effects a sticky, chewy, rich, butter toffee note to combine with floral, lightly resinous (not highly acidic or in your face) hops. Honestly, that’s really the extent of what I got. There is certainly more to it, some light hard wood oak notes, touches of candy-like caramel sugars and munich malts, but it just seems to be rather simple and dominated by the toffee and floral-piney hops. The hops are done tastefully, not burning and dominant, while the toffee is sticky and sweet, quite appropriate for a barleywine.
The flavor has a touch more of the oak, but it’s a light fruitiness, with a touch of butter that really blends (gets lost?) in to the malt and hops. Some light vanilla dryness, but more buttery, fruity, and sweet notes press on. Alcohol, while pretty well concealed for 10%, does emerge, lightly, on the end, adding some dryness and warmth. Texture is sticky, with low carbonation creating a mildly creamy consistency, though never really thick or syrupy, fortunately. I don’t know if it’s the filtration or what, but it dosent take the malts as deep as they could go. Also, I would have liked to have seen the pinot noir in the flavor/aroma. I really didnt get any of it at all (and the bourbon and port were extremely fleeting as well). Thanks for sharing, Barry.

Originally reviewed: 1/30/12. Vintage 2009 - have had it cellared since. (’Best *After* - 4/26/10’ printed on the side). Have been really looking forward to this one for quite awhile, albeit with some hesitancy as there were rumblings of quality control issues. Thankfully, this one was not infected. Split this bottle with fellow BA, ClarkPinnock. Poured my allotment into a snifter. Pours a cloudy, dark, ruddy amber. Lots of fine particles noted in the bottom of my glass. Thankfully, no large chunks. A small sheet of lace tops it off. The nose is rich with molasses, dark fruits, light booze character, wet wood. Very nice aroma. The body has not been hurt by time in the cellar at all. This one is hefty and filling. Carbonation level is moderate. Tasty beer with fig, plum, faint vanilla, toffee. Excellent beer. The flavors meld so well together. This is one of my favorite aged-Barleywines I have had. To those that are still sitting on some of these, the forecast looks good!

On tap, Pour is a dark purple brown, aromas of rich barley and figs, raisins, syrupy oaky tar, caramel. Taste is filled with fruity esters, raisins, dark figs, and various belgian flavors. Great barleywine.

22oz bottle, 2009 Vintage that I’ve had for quite awhile. Pours a murky, rusty-orange colored body with a thin, creamy, light tan head that dissipates quickly and leaves a moderate lacing. Aroma is full of sweeter caramels with a good amount of floral orange hops. Some chewy and nutty toffees, dried fruits, a touch of vanilla, a hint of oak, and a very light pine resin. Flavor is similar. Big floral oranges mixed with lots of sweet caramels, chewy and nutty toffees, and some tropical dried fruits. Barrel character comes out a touch towards the end to cut the sweetness a bit with a light oaky vanilla. A light pine resin with the big floral oranges gives this a medium-light bitterness that helps the wood dry this out a bit alongside the big sweet malts. Lengthy aftertaste with a light alcohol note. Full, chewy, smooth body with a very light carbonation. Overall, a pretty sweet and somewhat straightforward barley wine. Big caramels and some nutty, English toffees with lots of floral oranges, a light pine resin, and a light barrel note. Aging this has probably settled the booziness, but this is still a pretty sweet beer. Nonetheless, I found it to be an enjoyable sipper.

Medicinal, chlorophenolic aroma. Clear copper, medium head. Quite medicinal, beyond funky.

Cloudy ruby color with one finger of off white head. Smell is oak, caramel, vanilla, and strong alcohol. Taste is lots of toasty caramel sweetness supporting that fruitiness, with a prickly hop character providing just enough light bitterness to add a little balance.

3/6/12. 22oz bottle shared by Larry! Slightly murky ruby pour with a nice tan head that sticks. Sweet aroma with caramel, lots of dark fruits, touches of roast and dry fruits, and a hint of alcohol. Nice sweet caramel flavor with tons of fruits, a bit of roast, a touch of oxidation, and more. Nice!

UPDATED: MAY 15, 2012 On tap at Brouwer’s Bigwood. 09 vintage. Slightly hazy with a small white head and little retention. Amberish color. Smell is faint, dry and fruity, a bit sweet. Taste just wasn’t there. Watery and a bit of alcohol burn. Almost no carbonation, very light bodied. It was ok at best. This is my first Deschutes that has been a disappointment.

Lightly brown head on top of an amber body. Warm aroma of oranges, malts. Moderately bitter, moderately sweet flavour. Great balance, just maybe somewhat too sweet. Very nice.

Rating vintage 2009 bottle.
Dark amber colour, beige head. Aroma of dried dark fruits, malts, caramel, leather, oak and floral hops. Flavour fruity sweet, bitter hop tones, caramel and honey. Hoppy bitter finish with sticky dried fruit notes. Very pleasant.
(From 66cL bottle @ RBBWG 2012, Antwerpen. Thanx for sharing the bottle, Klaas!)

bottle @ RBBWG 2012 thanks to Klaas. Vintage 2009. Hazy dark amber to brown coloured beer with a small off white head. Oaky sour fruity and malty hinted aroma. Full creamy palate. Finih is full creamy malty hinted with some yeasty and slight alcholic touches. Actually a pretty good barley wine.