05.20.05 One of few 750s bottled around 01/05. First sampled this at the brewery and again a week later from a 750 and I thought it was hot. The wood aging, it seems, had really brought out much of the alcohol spice. Then again, the regular Old Salty 2004 seemed young back then, too. This is turning into one hell of a beer, one that I wish I had more of. Deep bourbon brown is the pour, while a creamy head of fine tan bubbles fades to swirling islands, lazily lacing. Mostly clear. I can’t help but plant my nose in the bowl of this glass for minutes; I’m nearing hyperventillation as I struggle to hoard every sweet, sweet perfume this magical brew presents me. Toffee and nougat with chocolate, it’s reminding me of a red-ribboned box of confections. Aromas and flavors dance in unison, rythmic balance of malty sweetness and fruitish hops. Moderate finishing burn reminds me to keep an easy tempo, to sip slowly, deeply enhale, sip again. Light touches of citrus and berry jam; mineral traces are minute but real. A body so smooth, so soft, and coating, the swallow is invited, welcome and warming. Time in the wood has mellowed this brew, accelerated its age, softened and balanced the untamed edges of a young and restive barleywine. Sublime. My new favorite barley wine, and my new favorite Heavyweight brew.

thanks nhorween. most barleywine smelling thing ever. i was expecting it to be salty. both really hoppy and malty aroma. definitely tons of caramel. wow. extremely sweet, but not puckeringly so. tons of flavor. i immediately love it. texture is not particularly carbonated but that suits it well. appearance was a dark brown, pretty generic. not at all overwhelming flavor profile, mostly back-ended. not getting much wood out of it, but this is the most balanced in the way i want it barleywine i’ve ever had. nhorween said it’d be salty but it isn’t really. man. i often call really malty beers overpowering, but somehow this is just so fucking perfect.

Bottled version - rerate - This will likely end up my first 5 once it settles in a bit. The original OS2005 was undercarbonated, but seems Tom added some sugars and blended this with a hoppier version of OS, put it in a barrel for a few months and out came this sublime brew. You only get a few beer experiences in your life where you know it doesnt get better. This was one of them and I enjoyed every last bit of it. Cask version - Poured very dark. Slight head with a vigorous pour. I pick up very slight notes of bourbon, but it maintains a perfect balance with a overripe plum/raisin malt. Too many bourbon aged brews taste like a shot of JD in a pint with the beer. This one is blended just right allowing you to pick up on the subtle flavors as it warms in your glass. Surprisingly mellow alcohol notes, this one tastes like its been aged a long time. Very nice caramel malty finish. So smooth, even this young.

2005 vintage 750 ml bottle. Pours a dark amber orange color with a small beige head. Aroma is whiskey and bourbon with hints of vanilla and sweet brown sugar. Taste is pleasantly sweet(not too much like some barleywines) with hints of vanilla,barrel wood, bourbon,sweet malt, and brown sugar. Very well done. One of the best barleywines I’ve had to date.

In short: Fruity and resinous Barley-Wine with a Scotch Ale attitude. Amazingly good.
How: 2005 vintage bottle HUGE thanks to Dave (dmac621). I had it many times at tasting session but this is an updated rating for my first 750ml by myself.
The look: Partly cloudy ruby body with a little beige ring of foam
In long: Malt profile less focussed on caramel/toffee than most Barley Wine. I’d describe it as somewhere between a Trappist Abt and a big fat Scotch Ale. Barley candies, fresh cherries, fruit salad, a bit vinous. Very full body. Then the resinous bitterness hits you. Overall very resinous and sticky. Alcohol well hidden. Every time I took notes for this beer I’ve ended-up totally re-writing a totally different rating. Either the beer is highly complex or I was always hammered. Most likely both.