 FlacoAlto (2039), Tucson, Arizona, USA
Apr 26, 2008
A vigorous pour produces a fat-one-finger thick, frothy, tan colored head. The beer is a dark cherry stained color, but shows a clear, cranberry stained, copper color when held up to the light. Rich, oxidized malt aromatics are by far the most noticeable thing in the nose; sherry, fruity port, some musty cardboard, oxidized caramel and a rich nuttiness. After sitting for a bit some aromas of maraschino cherries, brandy and raisins become noticeable.
Lightly carbonated, which causes this to have a very creamy texture, especially when coupled with the thick, viscous body that this brew naturally has. Upfront sweet flavors of dates, raisins and prunes mix in the finish with a light spice character reminiscent of cardamom and liquorice. Has a slightly woody taste to it towards the finish almost like a tannic, spicy oak flavor (much of this seems attributable to the oxidation influence). Brandy flavors meld with oxidation driven sherry notes and some touches of port-wine. A slight note of menthol and herbs as well as a lightish, though noticeable and lingering bitterness in the finish are what is left of the hop character. The oxidation really accents an interesting spiciness in this beer, I almost think that some of this spiciness is some residual hop flavor (which makes some sense to me). Actually this spiciness is definitely hop derived as it becomes more apparent as the beer warms up. Really it is surprising how hoppy this beer really still is (you really need to let it warm & open up first though), spicy and lightly herbal with a significant (though not dominant) hop presence.
A bit too oxidized in the nose, but the oxidation adds to the complexity and isn’t overly cardboard like in the flavor. This beer is still doing pretty well, though I would guess it is on the downward part of the slope. It should last for quite a few more years, but I am glad I drank my only bottle now. Definitely an enjoyable beer to spend an evening with; it is one of those beers that grows on me more and more as I work my way through the bottle.
lb4lb (1275), Austin, Texas, USA
May 1, 2008 Bottle shared at tasting. Thanks!
Pours dark reddish amber with a small tan head. Smells like it is very aged and mellowed with fruity malt and oxidation. Taste is sweet, creamy blended malt and subdued hops which have succumbed to the aging process. Melded and oxidized into an average smooth fruity caramel flavor without much excitement. A bit thin too.
Just so-so.
sliffy (1930), Columbus, Ohio, USA
Mar 17, 2008 Shared at Cleveland tasting 3/15 Bottle: Pours a clear dark brown with a tan head. Aroma, caramel, molasses, some dark fruits. Flavor, sweet almost cloying, some spice, caramel, and lots of oxidation. The 01 had held up much better.
BeerVirgin72 (556), C-Bus, Ohio, USA
Mar 17, 2008 Bottle shared at the Cleveland Tasting. Had this one right after the 2001. I prefered the 01. This was flavored a bit differently. Still sweet. Some cherries, and bourbon flavor coming through. Sweet malts and brown sugar.
puzzl (1651), New York, New York, USA
Feb 15, 2008 Bottle shared at a tasting provided generously by... me! A tasty brew and pretty well aged, but didn’t hit the heights of the 01 IMO. Big oxidized flavor, sherry, old grimy hops. A touch of sweetness. Mostly flat. A little licorice from the Maris Otter. Decently aged but boring.
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