Fullers Vintage Ale 2004

Formerly brewed at Fullers
Style: English Strong Ale
London, England

Bottle says best before end of 2007. About 3 years old. Poured into a snifter, the color is a murky brownish red. The head consists of swirly white lace. The aroma really knocked me back. Very rich sweet fruity malts with some potent but manageable alcohol. The flavor is starkly different. Infinitely smooth and luxurious. Fruity, caramel, candy, and a beautifully unique character. This is a really sexy, elegant ale.

Bottle 80437 from Ledgers 11-06, says best before end of 2007; this is one day before! Nose is molasses, wood, light alcohol, raisins, and caramel; clear rusty brown with a big beige head; flavor is toffee, raisins, and very light molasses notesfinish is toffee, fruit, and some warmth.

Bottled #1792
Nut brown color, decent brownish head, which collapses quickly. Lacks evident "vintage nose", which was in 2003 bottle sampled in the same session. Some vanilla, cream and oak in the aroma. Liquerish, fudge, oaky hops and alcohol. Seems that 2004 vintage still has "a fresh touch" in it compared to earlier vintages (2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 sampled in the same session).

Bottled. Amber colour, small beige head. Aroma is raisins, caramel and toffee. Flavour is caramel malts, some alcohol, raisins and some spicyness. Not much vintage notes in this one yet, but will probably become such within a few years.

Bottle No. 80804. Beautiful reddish amber color with a very impressive white head. Bits and pieces of lacing all over the glass. Full bodied with creamy carbonation. Starts lightly roasted in a vinous sort of way. Heat is noticeable, but it’s warming and doesn’t interfere with the flavors of fruit, especially berry. In fact, though it took a while to hit me, there’s cherry in here. Quite smooth. A bit like a well aged sherry. The finish is woody, dry, malty (still dry) and bitter enough. Dang, but it is a good thing to have.

2004: 72170: Excellent brew with the flavor and consistency of the previous versions I have tried. This beer was opened on Dec. 22nd, 2007 celebrating both friendship and Christmas with two of our friends and significant others prior to Christmas 2007. Excellent smooth mellow brew with a honey vineous flavor. Warming and soothing to the soul! A little quick on the finish but stil lastling and consistent. Perfect for a subtle substitute for a nice port . Nly enjoy with friends who enjoy a fine beer. Merry Christmas

Bottled - sampled December 2007. A deep red beer with a medium tan head. The aroma is sweet and vinous with notes of plums, alcohol, raisins, berries, caramel, and malt. The flavor is sweet malty with vinous notes of prunes, alcohol, rhum, caramel, and spices. Nice one.

Pours a clear deep mahogany that forms a fleeting off white head. Complex aroma of caramel and dark dried fruits. The hops keep this from being overly sweet, but don’t become a flavor aspect themselves. Sweet smooth alcoholic. Not nearly as heavy as a barleywine.