21st Amendment Bourbon Barrel Lower da Boom Barleywine

For me, this is the template of what a barleywine should be about. A perfect blend of vanilla, oak, toffee, caramel, and hops all wrapped around the strength of the bourbon it picked up from the barrels. Smooth, soft, warming and satisfying on the palate, a near perfect aroma to match the flavors of this beer and for me, you have the makings of a watermark barleywine. Thank you Dave!

Looks like shit - hazy flat amber. The aroma is standout, rich with bourbon, caramel, light alcohol and quite a bit of malt complexity. Very appetizing. The body is soft and sweet. There is surprisingly good integration between the bourbon/vanilla/wood and the sweetness of the dense malts, which has a soothing character not unlike the first edition of WWS. Excellent use of the barrells.

Bottled. Lightly hazy, dark amber. Peaty calvados aroma. Dryish with surprisingly slender body. Lots of toffeeish malt. The flavours are unusual - prickly pears with islay whiskey and vanilla. Amazingly intense. A beer that stood out amidst many other crazy beers in a crazy tasting session.

This barrel-aged barleywine pours a murky brown color from a hand bottled 22oz bottle. Small to no head. Aroma is caramel malts and vanilla, some oak. A medium to full bodied barley wine. Sweet caramel malts with some vanilla and oak flavors. Very smooth and mellow flavor. Big bourbon flavors. Very nice beer. Mouthfeel is full. Finish is clean and very smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Bottled. Murky mahogany with a slight white head. Vanilla aromas along with the malt. Some hops as well. Big bourbon flavor with just a bit of oak and some sugar. This is simply FANTASTIC!