J.W. Lees Harvest Ale (Lagavulin)

2003 bottling. Poured clear orangey-amber with a light ring and swirls of off-white head. The aroma was strong, yet soft, and I think time did a great job of mellowing out the alcohol.. darker fruits, vanilla, and smoky whiskey blended expertly together.. a touch of alcohol astringency was apparent, but it never got in the way.. molasses and some brown sugar waft through intermittently.. really good! The flavor was a touch too sweet, but still quite enjoyable overall.. sticky, aged caramel, dark fruits, and vanilla sweetness form the base with an overall toasty complexion.. the whiskey was more subdued than expected, primarily coming in at the back of the palate on the sides.. more smoky peat rises from the finish through about 5 seconds after the finish, along with brown sugar and more caramel. Syrupy on the palate with lower carbonation.. alcohol warmth showed on the back on the mouth, but never transcended a tingly, warm sensation.. sticky finish.. a hair too sweet, but otherwise delightful!

Sampled from a 9.3 oz bottle, 2005 vintage. Poured a slightly murky copper color, almost no head to speak of. Lots of floaties. Aroma was pretty subtle in terms of alcohol, with notes of dark fruits including raisins, lots of malts, molasses, and a smokey touch. Tastes like a decent whiskey. If I have any further vintages I’ll have to average them in.

9.3 oz bottle, 2003 Vintage. Pours a clear orangish copper body with a small fizzy off-white head that quickly faded to a whispy film. One tiny bead of carbonation. The nose is all malt with a crystal clear Lagavulin overtone. Medicinal, peaty, and lightly smoky. Reminds me of sterile gauze. Just a touch of alcohol. Thick heavy caramel malt at first, but then fading to the medicinal whisky finish that really lingers. Nothing like the regular Harvest Ale at all. Mouthfeel is full and thick with minimal stickiness and minimal soft carbonation. Pretty warming on the finish. Overall, this was the best of the bunch that I’ve had of the Barrel Aged series from Brew Dog. It was really pretty well dominated by the Lagavulin.

Vintage 2004. Pours liquid caramel in color with a light, wisy tan head. Sweet malts, molasses, brown sugar, plums, raisins, alcohol, some oak in the aroma. Body needs to be chewed. Very smooth. Awesome flavor on this one. Sweet dark fruits, molasses, malts, plums, risins, and candied fruits, smokey wood. Finish is sweet, and the whiskey really stands out here. An outstanding brew. I’m not gonna try to put into words how much I enjoyed this beer. An excellent welcome back from the sea.

9.3oz. bottle, 2004 vintage. Richly sweet, fruity aroma, strong brown sugar, red grape and plum mingle with fainter flowery, smoky, woody and medicinal notes, along with touches of raisin and candied cherry. Mostly clear deep amber-red color with a very fine, slight head. Flavor profile contains a blend of massive amounts of sugary sweetness, from maple and brown sugar to cotton candy, this mingling with a strong dried fruit presence, toffee, berry, faint suggestions of the Lagavulin peat smoke and wood, earthiness and red wine. Sticky and syrupy on the palate, low in effervescence with a hugely full body. Finish shows a touch of chocolate and of the substantial alcohol presence, though it seems to be relatively well-hidden beneath the gigantic malt sweetness. The whisky seems to reside mostly in the background, and is ultimately only a slight effect. A fitting dessert and Winter nightcap, if a bit cloying.

Light brown color with no head, lacing, or carbonation. Aroma is fantastic, rich malts and whiskey notes. Flavor is sweet and malty, but something was a little strange and unappealing. Just okay overall, but very expensive for a sub-par beer.

2004 bottle, 10-29-07. Still, muddy amber. Very peaty aroma up front, woody, alcohol phenols, faint toffee. Toffee up front doesn’t stand a chance as the flavor is completely dominated by peat and wood. Dryness overpowers residuel sugars as well. Just not my gig.

’06 Vintage: Bronze pour with no head whatsoever. Massive woodsy aroma with notes of honey, malt and a bit of whiskey soaked candy. Over-the-top whiskey-wood taste that overpowers anything else. Very dry finish with a subtle honey malt essence. Didn’t enjoy this one as much as the Calvados.