3.6 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
Darker in colour than I expected. This is a winey beer with an almost earthy character from the the oak it has been matured in.
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
Beautiful caramel color. Rich, oaky taste with very little bitterness. Smooth.
3.2 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 2/5 OVERALL 13/20
Nice scent. Very oaky, noticeable butter and fruit. Flavor is a mite less than expected, with lots of toffee, port, raisins, and woodiness. Definitely needed to be carbonated differently, as it didn’t have any real fizziness or creaminess.
3.7 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 16/20
This rating is for the 1998 Vintage. Medium amber-red with a light broiwn head. The aroma is reminiscient of a ruby port with distinct oak character and a touch of molasses. The beer is light to medium bodied with an initially malty flavour followede by a lingering bitter finish. I would prefer a bit more body and intensity out of this beer, but it is still pretty good.
4.2 AROMA 9/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 17/20
A great fullish bodied and warming ale, offering complexities of flavor and aroma. Malty, cognac-like, fruity, oaky, satisfying sour quench in the finish.
3.6 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 14/20
Slightly acidic and sour in the nose with fruity tones complimenting. Acid does not transfer into the flavor profile. Mild hop flavors offset by strong buttery and lactic sweetness. Finish is young wood and bitterness from either hops or the oak barrels - I can’t really tell. Very dark ruby color was exquisite. Pleasant and complex, but I would’ve liked some sourness or acidity in the flavor profile to balance the sweetness.
4 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
I was most of all reminded of a Westmalle dubbel...
3.9 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
nice mellowed mild tasting ale. meduim body. buttery malt. very good but could use a little more hops. will have this again!
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
UPDATED: MAR 23, 2003 Rerate: 03/22/03
The first time I had this beer, it knocked me out. I haven't had a bottle as good since so I'm adjusting my rating downwards. Fresh bread, yeasty aroma. Rich dark brown color. Very full flavor, w. elements of wood, chocolate, caramel, molasses, raisins, honey. Very malty w. fairly assertive bitter finish. Apparently, flavors are somewhat variable, as noted above.
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Rich with thick creamy mouthfeel and a slightly acidic (in the pleasant sense) finish. This reminded me very much of rodenbach, but made with english yeast. This is definitely a rewarding and tasty treat.
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