 Ughsmash (2835), Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA
Feb 24, 2008
Bottle, 2005 Cellar Reserve, my rating #2400!
Poured deep, fizzy, coppery-cola brown with a short-lived cap of tan head. The aroma was sweet, dark, and extraordinarily complex.. beginning with a wave of deep brandy and port grapes, yielding to rich chocolate and caramel notes.. oak and more sweet brandy give the most memorable impression when this warms up.. alcohol is only present for singeing the nose hairs if you get a little too close to the glass.
Slick foray onto the palate, with a whole lot of barrel influence (vinous brandy notes, toasted oak, and vanilla led the way).. aged caramel, light chocolate, and more vinous notes provide the base.. hot brandy and oak almost burn a final impression on the palate. Slick and warm on the palate with low carbonation and a grainy feel that seemed to come from the oak.. complexity and warmth increased from the lips through the finish.. toning down the booze factor would probably bump this to a 4.8 for me. Wow!
heemer77 (3611), Savannah, Missouri, USA
Jul 17, 2008 Thanks a lot for sharing, iowaherkeye! Cloduy dark brown body with no head. With some swirling I got a little bit of a light kahki head. The aroma is light brandy with some leather and milk chocolate. There is also a little bit of almond. The taste has some light toffee and cocoa. There is some nice hints of brown sugar. This is very good.
decaturstevo (1134), decatur, Tennessee, USA
Jul 13, 2008 btl opened by JohnC. Hazy brown pour with light head and lace. Brandy, cherries, and raisins on the nose. Flavor of raisins, dates, and abv. Solid full palate with good carbonation. A beer that I would classify as a super sipper not a drinker:) thanks John
jarspag (490), San Diego, California, USA
Jun 24, 2008 2nd bottle since release. Nose is full blown bliss...rolling elegance, smothered with rich oak, vanilla, sweet malts, barrel booziness. Flavor boasts a rich, hefty oak influence throughout the caramel, vanilla, maple syrup, ripe fruits, alcohol... numerous flavor transitions. Big, bold, for sipping only. Thick and sticky...damn good but a touch too intense at times. I still like the bourbon verision more. Can’t wait for this guy a couple years down the road...
ironchefscott (220), long beach, California, USA
Jun 9, 2008 bottle.....great awesome nose....one of the best old ales I have ever smelled...on the taste though I felt it got a bit too sweet and got a bit cloying on the finish on the sweeness and mouthfeel.....
jcwattsrugger (3757), Florida and, New Jersey, USA
Jun 9, 2008 bottle @Noogfest4.0-thanks JohnC–pours a light tan head that bubbles and hazy copper /red color. Aroma is sweet medium malt-brandy. Taste is sweet medium malt-brandy, some bitter hops, slick mouth feel, alcohol.
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