 valpoaj (283), Valparaiso, Indiana, USA
Apr 9, 2008
Bottle from my first RB trade courtesy of Pantanap - thanks Kan!! 2004 vintage, so this puppy has got some age on her. Bottle made a pop sound when opened, so I’m feeling a bit better about oxidization issues. Pours a ruddy brown color that, well, sort of looks like swill, but you know this means business nevertheless. Almost no head to speak of. Aroma is gorgeous...loads of raspberry, caramel, sweet chocolate blended together with some roasted nuts in the background...a unique aroma that is outstanding! Flavor is more complex than I expected...the raspberry almost takes a backseat to strong caramel and milk chocolate accents, but the raspberry comes through at the end and in a nice way...heavy on the sweetness but stopping well short of being cloying. Picking up some orange flavors...and almost gives me the vibe that there is some Grand Mariner mixed in. Alcohol flavor is still prevalent after 4 years. Finish is surprisingly sour and bordering on acidic, so I’m thinking something kicked in over time, and there is a good dose of carbonation here still. Looking forward to trying a 2007 that is ’fresh’ to see how it compares!
nhorween (502), New York, New York, USA
Aug 13, 2008 thanks cmubeerman, 04 bottle. Aroma of chocolate, raspberries, and dark fruit. Amazingly interesting and outrageously smooth. Flavor is dominated by raspberry, chocolate, and rounded toasty malt. Some alcohol, cherry, and fruit in the finish. Inspired.
illidurit (387), Santa Cruz, California, USA
Aug 9, 2008 Bottle at the RBSG 08 Grand Tasting. Pours the color of black cherry skin, no head. Aroma is heavenly and port-like, with raspberry puree, vanilla, sherry, and fudge. Flavor is dead-on raspberry hard candy, with chocolate and vanilla accent. Basically like drinking a raspberry cordial milkshake. Long lingering finish demands the next sip. Amazing dessert/nightcap/sweet-tooth beer.
AgentSteve (736), Livermore, California, USA
Aug 5, 2008 Man, this one was a sipper! More than that would overwhelm your senses! Attractive solid red pour with zero head. Nose is all over the place, with raspberries, vanilla, caramel, chocolate and cherries(?) The flavor matched in all the influences. Thanks to seaoflament for this taste at the RBSG.
Alldaydrinker (457), Norwood, Massachusetts, USA
Jul 31, 2008 Courtesy of Pepsican via mysteryswap 3.0. Pours a murky red hued brown color with light carbonation. Nose is pungent, vanilla, caramel, raspberries, other red berries, chocolate, candy and some red wine characteristics. Initial taste of caramel, fig, raspberries and vanilla-oak. Mid palate displays a touch of chocolate cake and alcohol. Finishing with tangy, raspberry, sweet caramel. Excellent palate duration. Body is medium body, velvelty smooth with touch of syrupy texture mouthfeel. Very interesting stuff.
jarspag (503), San Diego, California, USA
Jul 31, 2008 2004 bottle from UGH sampled on 7/30/08. This trade took place over a year ago! Thanks dude, been waiting to crack this at the right time, my birthday. Ridiculous nose on this thing, long, soft, soothing, arrogant..just so potent and mellow at the same time. Nose of heavy caramel, toffee, OAK, choco-raspberries. Palate is super full and velvety. Flavor was still pretty sweet with caramel, oak covered raspberry, port, and sherry like nuances. Finish was still pretty warming. Aromas were a touch over the flavor...can’t help but wonder if the age on this has taken something away. Nonetheless, pretty damn epic beer... nice.
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