4.3 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 5/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 18/20
Courtesy of markwise, now I can pull yet another very long time ‘want’ off my list, thanks. This 1997 vintage pours clear copper with thin off white head. The aroma is musty malts, smooth blunted pine hops, some caramel candy, a bit of oxidation and thick and tacky summer pavement burned malt syrup. The taste is smooth and yummy goodness with caramel candy, sticky malt sweetness and smooth blunted rolling waving pine hops. Into the finish a bit of dark fruity esters come to the surface and sort of seem like aged pine hop infused brown sugar coated prunes. I think the word “yum” is required here.
3.9 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Thanks to markwise for the share. I cant say too much more than mark says below, it was really good and wish I had more.
4.1 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 8/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 17/20
Thanks to the man for this one in trade. Pours caramel brown with a white head. The sticker that he put on top says "1997 bottle." Holy hell, for a 14 year-old beer, this one has aged beautifully. Pours caramel brown with a white head. Nose is caramel, brandy, booze, raisins, and slight fruit. A twinge of oxidation, but not really. Flavor has brandy and caramel with slight cardboard that is quickly snuffed out by brandy and caramel. Medium-bodied and enjoyable.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Pours a nice reddish brown color. Aromas of dark fruits, hops, and a touch of wood. Flavor is smooth caramel malt, wood, and a nice hop.
3.8 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 16/20
2003 bottle shared by Matt. Darker reddish brown with a thin light tan film for a head. Alcohol pops out a bit stronger (surprising once I see the ABV!) in the nose with some molasses and lighter dark malt and caramel. Medium body, lower carbonation. Sweet medium malt. Dark fruit, alcohol. A bit astringent, but very smooth otherwise. Brown sugar. Lingering sweetness, not bad.
3 AROMA 6/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 12/20
2006 bottle. Pours amber with a thin white head. Smells of caramel, molasses, some dark fruit. Tastes caramelly and sweet with a syruppy finis.
3.5 AROMA 7/10 APPEARANCE 4/5 TASTE 6/10 PALATE 3/5 OVERALL 15/20
12oz., bottled on 03/2006, with another thank you to John (jjpm74) for this great selection from the Christmas cheer trade forum box he sent my way! Pours a clear orange amber with a fizzy and quickly dissipating off-white head that settles into a thin ring and center whisp, no lacing. Aroma is dark fruits, toffee, caramel, and sweet malts. Flavor is a little more one dimensional, with sweet caramel malts and toffee. A bit thin bodied and middle of the road for the style. Thanks again John!
3.6 AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 7/10 PALATE 4/5 OVERALL 14/20
Tasted 5/11/08. Apparently a 2005 vintage. Hazy orange golden honey hue. Slight layer of bone white head. Aromas of raisins and wood. Caramel and spices. Citrus and toffee. Big nose. Full bodied and with a nice tingling effervescence. Rather dry finish with a lot of citrus qualities. Peppery and sticky. Bitter hop finish. Piney dry hop palate. Moderate burn. Almost a touch bitter rye malts. Tangy citrus flavor. The bitter hops and the sweet malts have a nice juxtaposition on the palate. Rolls roughly but nicely.
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