Pours a hazy orange with sediment floating around. Had a very thin white head. The aroma is sweet and spicy. Malt notes and dark fruits really stand out; there is also a citrusy hops aroma in there too. Very complex. The flavor is strong with dark fruits and alcohol. A little different than what I expected after having such a complex aroma. The finish is dry and bitter, leaving a bit of hoppiness lingering on the pallet. Glad I tried it.

THIRD TRIAL: Pours a reddish orange, no head; aroma of alcohol, sweet, fruity yeast, and more alcohol; flavor is hard to describe it’s so complex, sweet maltiness up front, hop bitterness in the middle, alcohol and yeast fruitiness in the finish and alcohol burn in the finish. There’s no hiding the high ABV in this beer... It’s incredibly prominent, but in a good way... It takes on a characteristic all its own. I definitely couldn’t drink one every day, but once a year it’s an interesting experience.

12 oz bottle, cellared one, maybe two years. Crystal clear topaz with a sudsy white ring. Nose is candy apple, caramel, light butterscotch and hoppy spice. Syrupy with mild fizz. Taste is booze soaked peaches and nectarines. Verges on cloying save for undercurrents of earthy green plum. Dry finish with eucalyptus. A warming contemplative sipper.

Got one of these awhile back from GMCC2181 that I’ve been cellaring, so when Carl4Beer sent one my way, I opened it right up. I was slightly let down with this one to be honest, just because I like my Barley Wines strong and obvious, and this one was pretty subtle. Nice balance of malt and hops, with the malt taking center stage. Backed up with carmel and spice notes. I liked the addition of the dates and figs, gave the beer a nice personality. I really liked the warming nature and high alcohol in this one; usually I don;t, but it gave this beer a lot of character. This one will probably be awesome in a year or so!

(USA) Courtesy of AFI96, thanks Waylo. Pours a nice amber color with a sm-foamy head. Aroma of vanilla, raisins, malts, and bourbon. The taste is of pineneedles, malts, dark fruit, and alcohol. The mouthfeel is robust with a mild (15%) alcohol burn. Overall a nice barleywine, get some.