McKenzie Belle Dock Barleywine

2003 bottle shared by egajdzis at RBSG Montreal Summer ’05
Very dark brown beer has deep auburn-ruby highlights and sports a beige-tan head that quickly fades to partial cover/ring, leaving light film behind. Clarity is medium.
All sorts of English notes in the nose. Toffee, nuttiness, playful fruitiness and lightly bready caramel. Definitely oxidized and showing it, but while there is some papery/cardboardy oxidation, I think the sherry notes and rich nuttiness far outshine the unfavorable oxidation. A light oiliness from the darker malts produces some acid that clings to the breadiness and mixes with vanilla to create almost more of a bock-like note. Medium to medium-high strength of aroma with no flaws and no alcohol apparency. Vinousness is certainly apparent as well, but mostly controlled.
Medium-dry caramel and toffee gain some saltiness in the flavor, with some raisins and figs. Rich vanilla and sherry notes burst forth, but with the age and oxidation, are immediately dried and rendered somewhat bready. Carbonation is very low, texture is a bit slippery at times, though the sweet malts give it a moderate chewiness. No alcohol noted. Lots of light vinousness and nuttiness lingering. Definitely past its prime, even taking in to account the pleasant oxidation notes, but you can tell this was a fabulously well-brewed beer with lots of richness and depth, tons of interesting fruitiness. I still highly enjoyed it even at this point.

Dark amber color; the head disappears quickly. Malty taste and aroma, caramel, good body strength, not exceptional but a good barley juice…

Bottle #10/36.
Unclear copper colored, foamy light tan head. Malt, candy and caramel aroma with some fruit and hop as well. Sweet malt and toffee flavor with a nice fruityness and a foamy mouthfeel. Soft and smooth.

Bottle. Orange colour with a tan head. Sweet and malty aroma, with hints of dark fruit. Caramel and breasdy flavor with hints of dark fruits. Warming alcohol in the finish.

Light hazy copper colour with a small beige head. Malty and dark fruit sweet aroma with a light alcohol note. Malty and sweet flavor with a dark fruit note and a warming alcohol finish.