J.W. Lees Harvest Ale (Lagavulin)

Brewed by J.W. Lees
Style: Barley Wine
Middleton Junction, England

A beverage of certain extremes. A so-so barleywine taste boosted by clear scotch whiskey and wood flavoring, an interest cloudy pour. An aroma that is at the same time beer as it is whiskey. A not so satisfying drinking experience yet smooth. Not a perfect show: Forget it, Jake, it’s Chinatown.

Besotting . Super woody/peaty. My friend AdamSkillin who split the bottle with me did not enjoy this at all. I found it strange but slightly intriguing.

Bottle (275ml). Poured slightly hazy deep amber with a decent fizzy-creamy off-white lasting head. Pleasant woody-yeasty aroma, rich roast malt, and a nice hint of scotch - rich, simple, elegant. Almost sweet, juicy taste follows on, there’s mild citrus hops here, and *very* strong woody islay scotch character - woodsmoke, iodine, hessian, peat - I think it could age a few more years, and mellow down some, but nice nevertheless - and very alcohol-warming. Mouthfeel is a little thin, very alcoholic, and a bit salty. Very nice tipple - I could wish for more blending and body, but a good sipping treat.

2004. ron burgundy would dig this one. man you can taste that whiskey. it has class smoked taste to it, also some caramel, very rich and very sweet. The warmer it gets the better it gets. sip slow embrace this one player.

) This beer has an aroma infused with the fragrances of dates, wood, and apricots and smoke can be detected in the background. It is a dark caramel color with a good cream colored head that lasts and leaves great lacing behind. This thick smooth beer fills the mouth with a rich smooth taste. A variety of flavors can be detected: caramel, malt, toffee, brown sugar, and dates. The flavor is sweet from the introduction to the swallow. The closing does produce a mild smoky wood taste that lingers mildly after the solution has been swallowed.

9.3 oz bottle, 2004 vintage. Poured with no head, a dark ruby/copper color. The aroma was very strong, overpowering actually. Alcohol very present in the aroma, thought I was going to drink one of those over the top Barley Wines. However, the taste was much milder than expected. Maybe the 2 years have affected it but I doubt it through the other ratings. Not as much presence of alcohol on the taste. Medium body and goes down with little bitterness for a Barleywine. The whiskey, for me was present in the throat, where I could feel that slight whiskey-like burning. Personally, the Sherry was more interesting (paradoxically, this one was more expensive).

2004 bottle: Lighter color than the normal harvest ale, a bit sweeter. The whiskey barrel really comes through, and does compliment it very well. Adding some vanilla, and smokey flavors to it.

STRONG whisky color. A little darker than the others. VERY smoky, definate hint of whisky. A friend says it tastes like bacon.