 Enniskillen (1589), Port Angeles, Washington, USA
Dec 26, 2004
1997- Aroma is heavy honey, caramel, bisquits, jelly, rasberries, chocolate, a very nice complex aroma. Body is ruby with a thin tan head. Very sweet with caramel, candi sugar, butterscotch and a hint of smoke. Mouthfeel is very silky and smooth. A phenomonal Barleywine.
Rciesla (897), Brick City, New Jersey, USA
Oct 12, 2008 Bottle 1997 vintage, thanks to Vferg for the share. No hops are left at all. Bottle is in its decline with a slightly musky feel to it. Tobacco, dark plum, bourbon, huge maple, a bit of alcohol but even that seems light.
rscaletta (7), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
does not count  Oct 11, 2008 2005 vintage in 11.2 oz bottle at Shallo’s (on special). They also had 2000, but I’ve never tasted this before, so I thought I’d start with a young one to see what they’re like fresh.
Pours gold with no head. My first thought was, "Cool! flat like a cask!" but then I tilted the glass and saw the tiny bubbles on the meniscus. Aroma was intense and distinctive. Strong alcohol with sweetness and vanilla. No identifiable hop aroma. (Deducted some points because aroma is not very complex and is so intense can be off-putting.)
One sip, and and I thought I was drinking bourbon. Sweet but not malty, intense vanilla, maybe oak? Oh, and alcohol. The best way to describe the flavor i was getting is "bourbon." No smoke or roastiness--definitely not "scotch." Very unique and tasty, 9 points. Not sure what it would take to get a 10 from me.
Coats your mouth on the way down like light syrup. (Another deduction because just too syrupy.) Finish is more vanilla and alcohol, no real bitterness.
On the first sip, I thought, "wow, this is too much, i won’t even get close to finishing this." Well, with each sip it was smoother and the alcohol lessened. Very good, very drinkable.
This is an excellent beer when 3 years old. Now it’s time to find one with some serious age!
riversideAK (1649), Shoreline, Washington, USA
Oct 10, 2008 Aromas of sweet malts, a little buttery, maple, fruit, brown sugar, a touch of booze. Pours hazy orange with a thin head. Flavors are a nice complex mix of toffee, maple, brown sugar, over ripe lighter fruits, and alcohol. Incredible smooth finish.
slimchill (656), Austin, Texas, USA
Oct 8, 2008 2000 Bottle. Nose is intense. Figs, pear, chocolate, caramel, sherry, and brown sugar. Cloudy pale orange-brown with a thin head and great laving. Flavor is loaded with figs, light caramel. Very complex. Smooth mouthfeel, though slightly thin for the depth of flavor.
santoslhalper (195), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 4, 2008 1998 vintage. Deep purple with red hues and a thin beige head. Strong oxidized aroma with caramel, dates, and prunes. Sweet caramel taste with weird oxidized and burnt sugar notes. Kinda off-putting aftertaste. Didn’t age well.
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