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.

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.

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.

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.

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.