AleSmith Barrel Aged Old Numbskull

Brewed by AleSmith Brewing Company
Style: Barley Wine
San Diego, California USA

Bottle generously given to me for sharing with a few buds by slob, wow! Bottle 33 of 240 or 290 or 298, couldn’t read that very well. The appearance was amber copper, some haziness, but no chunks, nice off-white head. The aroma was caramel, maple, bourbon, oak/wood. The flavor followed suit, some vanilla and raisiney notes, hops still making their presence known, though, piney/resinous aspects. Mouthfeel was amply carbonated considering the age, balancing anything sticky about this, as well as the slight bitter/hop presence. Another nice product from AS, although this wasn’t my favorite BA product of theirs (nor is their Old Numby anyway). A super duper thanks to Bert for sharing, what a kind guy!

Poured from a 750 ml bottle. Bronze hued, oily pour. Almonds, hazelnuts, toffeecake, and plenty of barrel in a fairly rough hewn and raw aroma; vanilla, quiet heat and a touch of vinegar. Searing vanilla beans, pineapple, and tangy fruit juice in the massive and unforgiving bourbon flavor; the depth of malt here is thoroughly indecipherable under the pressure of so much grating sweetness. Oily, but not especially heavy in the mouth; seems slightly thinned in a sense separate from the flat, milky texture. Finishes on a hint of burnt blonde brownies and reduced tropical fruits; guava, passion, and pineapple simmering in honey, white wine, bourbon. Surprisingly simple and straightforward; certainly overbarrelled and difficult. Thanks for sharing, Tyler!

Thanks to tyler for this golden amber pour with faint head. Super bourbon nose with sweet barleywine. Sweet vanilla body with minimal bourbon.

Bottle 18 of 223, 2005 BA: Ok this in my opinion could have set a bit longer. The bourban was really intense, after a night of Woodford Reserve drinking, this my have been premature. Vanilla and a strong peach flavor was dominant. No carbination to speak of. But what a beautiful color it poured very transperent like a fine brandy. I think it will cellar very nicely, I’m glad I have an extra bottle. It did have the consistancy of a barly wine, but with a punch of bourbon. I will re rate in a year or so.

Sampled at "An evening with Pantanap #2". 750ml bottle, 2005 vintage, 34/223 Thanks to pantanap for this! Hazy red amber color without a head, no matter how much I swirled. Sweet aged fruit aroma and dough with a nice bourbon undertone, hugely oxidized. Flavor is oxidized fruit, with doughy malt, very hot bourbon finish. Medium to full body with a burning bite. Nice blend of aged barleywine with bourbon. 8 3 8 4 17 = 4 --- Rerate, thanks to Drewbeerme for this. ’04 vintage #129 of 227, Clear, red/brown with thin bubbles. Big barrel, oxidation, cherry, coconut, older but very nice. Big barrel flavor with oxidation, alc, a little maple syrup, sweeter, almost bourbon with ice cubes, candi sugar. Medium to thin body, no carbonation. Very barrel forward, but drinkable, smoother than the later vintage I had.

Bottle 111 from 05. Amber copper color; minimal head. Lovely aroma of rich, toasty-roasty malts, burnt caramel, and bourbon. Flavors are similar with dried fruit and subtle smoke and wine. An overall sweet, malty balance. Sweetly cloying and big bourbon but overall very warming and delicious.

Bottle from the Fall ’07 brewery release. 2005, bottle #111/223 I believe. Shared with wetherel, deftim13, DenverLogan, Sean & Ryan from the shop. Flat pour with minimal lace, just some swirlies. Opaque amber color with an aroma of bourbon oak barrel, caramel, cinnamon and nutmeg. The flavor brings out the barrel-aging process further with notes of wood, along with coconut, light apple & fruity notes. Bitterness is subdued more so than regular Numbskull, overtaken by the barrel a bit too much. Great mouthfeel that finishes quite easily. Alesmith delivers yet again.

Bottle generously shared from hapjyduece. 2005. Had a PP bottle shop with deftim13, hapjydeuce, denverlogan, Sean, and Ryan. I’m not sure which bottle number. Dark amber color. Very small microbubble head. Some oxidation, but fades when opening. Tried just after trying a 1 yr old Behemoth, and this was much better. Lots of bourbon which reduced drinkability some, but still very good. I would guess that I prefer regular Old Numbskull aged in the bottle