 tytoanderso (1229), St. Louis Park, Minnesota, USA
Sep 23, 2008
Eric, your absolute generosity is second to none! Thank you so much for this amazing treat!
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750ml bottle. 2005. Thick, syrupy toffee initially on the nose. Vanilla, wet wood tannin, raisins and plums with hints of lighter tropical fruit as well. A very light bourbon influence, but the barrel presence, thankfully, isn’t overpowering. Very malt heavy. The smallest hint of earthy and slightly musty hops in the background, but by now this one’s all about the chewy, sweet and confectionary malt. The slightest touch of oxidation, but far from detracting. Pours a very thick dark copper/amber. Not quite opaque, but close with a well kept off white head. Subtle, but chewy on the tongue. Vanilla, toffee, creme brulee... Very mild, but still inescapable barrel presence. Damp wood, tobacco leaf... The smallest hint of bourbon spice. Honey... Maple syrup drizzled panckes ... Candied raisins and plums. Shit, this is excellent stuff... much better than expected. Quite balanced for an 11% BA BW! Malt, barrel and hops all in elegant unison. Decadent on the tongue... loads of sweetness but never cloying. The carbonation seems damn near perfect. Finishes with a nice amount of wood tannin (reminding me that it’s a BA brew), spice and a delicate sweetness.
<br /><br />Damn... I knew this was going to be good, but it truly surpassed all of my expectations. Thanks again for you extreme generosity Eric!
JPDIPSO (4345), Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA
Nov 20, 2008 Many thanks to a prior SecretSanta for sending this my way. Slightly murky mahogany colored liquid. Voluminous, slightly dissipating khaki colored head. After a while a fingers worth of thick foam is left on the top along with some streaks of lace. Big fruity and floral aromas. Scents of dark cherries, currents and raisin, mingle with dark honey, lilies, toffee and hints of leather and old wood. Lots of fruit and alcohol in this one. The alcohol is noticeable but is not overbearing, just a good note. Quite light in feel and perhaps a bit to “fizzy”. Flavors of cider, apricots, stewed prunes and sweet black cherries. This is a real sipper. Stomach is starting to warm. Middle has a bit of floral hops which lead to the alcohol and mead flavors in the finish. Linger has a bit of oak, grain, and dry wood. This is certainly one to be enjoyed, and I do mean enjoyed, one small sip at a time. In a way I’m not pleased that this is in a 750, as it is far to big a bottle for a brew of this stature, yet I’m happy to know that I will recap the remaining 2/3 to share with friends this weekend. I could certainly use more barleywines like this.
Rciesla (1136), Brick City, New Jersey, USA
Oct 31, 2008 This beer is incredible if you dont have an infected or oxidized bottle. Shared by BrianK one bottle i can count on for new years celebrations. A dark brown body with a tan head. Sweet dark fruits plum, raisins. Nice salt character with notes of bourbon and oak vinous and lightly spiced. A hell of a beer.
fiver29 (365), Strongsville, Ohio, USA
Oct 18, 2008 Bottle pours dark brown with off white head. This bottle has a lot of carbonation and a thick head when poured. Has a very sweet aroma including some caramel and some oxidation. Which is to be expected at this point. Flavor is more oxidized goodness, caramel, and that’s about it. I don’t detect any barleywine flavors or barrell aged flavors in this for that matter. Overall, a nice sweet brew that might be past its prime. I’m glad I had the chance to try it. It was a smooth gem.
GodOfThunder (160), Orlando, Florida, USA
Oct 16, 2008 Thanks dchmela! First, it smells like a barleywine! A lot of figs, brown sugar and a light alcohol smell. Not much head and very low carbonation. The taste is filled with raisins and other dried fruit. It is light and very smooth. Pretty good.
Snojerk321 (1124), San Diego, California, USA
Oct 12, 2008 Bottle, 2005. Coffee colored, very dark for a barley wine, almost no head. Aroma is sweet hops, vanilla, cheese, bourbon, vinous, salty, (smells like Chinese food). Sweet and smooth, salty smoked meat flavor, almost no bitterness. So sweet, very well masked alcohol, weirdly smooth, and unbalanced in an interesting way.
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