Baladin Xyauyù Etichetta Rame (Copper Label)

Brewed by Le Baladin
Style: Barley Wine
Piozzo, Italy

2004 vintage, sampled 12/2007; thanks to Laurent Mousson again - clear reddish-amber colour, aroma of cognac, caramel and alcohol; candi sugar and pear; very sweet and without carbonation; thick and oily, late and solid bitterness; moderately dry, long caramelish and fruity finish - deeply original and impressive; far better than the experimental release

thanks to Laurent "SubCapt" Mousson for sharing this beer which he directly got from Theo; this beer has been madeirised by a long (1-2 years) exposition of the casks to the sun - red-brown colour, absolutely no foam; prodigiously complex nose (caramel, portwine, honey), very resinous and with an incredible sweetness, no carbonation; very long, glutinous and cloying sweetness before a big finishing alcohol kick and a lingering spiciness - very very special and original; to enjoy with lot of care (4/7/3/2/9)

No head. Deep amber body. Sugary port and honey aroma with fruity notes. Sweet rounded fruity port taste with honey and apple notes. Some alcohol taste, too. Dry alcoholic dried fruity and malt aftertaste. (0.74l bottle at Knut Albert’s.)

Bottle. Clear dark amber colour with a small white head. Rich malty aroma and taste with strong sherry-like notes. Good beer.

Burgundy colored, no head even with a violent pour. Aroma has strong notes of port. Sweet malts with a fruity oak balance. Enjoyable but obviously not worth the price tag.

Bottle. Pours a clear copper with no head. Aroma of alcohol, sweet tarts, green apples, pear, and sherry. Taste is very sweet green apples and pear with notes of honey and warm alcohol. Medium full mouthfeel with no carbonation and warm but never hot alcohol. Very good.

I had a taste of this at the Birratrovo in Como. Amber colour, still. Strong aroma and taste, thick and oily; caramel and mature malt (Madeira), wood influence, Porto wine. Interesting.

My Bottom Line:
Luxurious prunes and their caramel swell from this portly and still sipping experience, as sweet soy, raisins and cherries develop with time. This is very well done and has to be commended for efficiently extending the Barley Wine concept to realms rarely explored.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-There is no head at all atop the dark ruby brown.
-The body is liquorous but velvety smooth when served at the right temperature.
-Served cool at the Mondial, I found this to be quite harsh, overly sweet and alcoholic. But served at room temperature at Isola Della Birra, a classy beverage appeared, much like port wine or ice wine. (3.8) Next time I have it, it’ll definitely be at room temperature.
-Alcohol was not too perceptible at room temperature, which is quite a feat at this gravity.
-Don’t drink this when you want a "beer". A fireside strong sipper is what you should have a hankering for.

From the bottle at the Mondial de la Bière, Montréal, and Isola Della Birra, Milano.

Corked 50cl bottle labeled 2004 and 12% (thanks Kuaska). Pours a deep amber color with no head. Sherry-like aroma, medium body, no carbonation. Pronounced maple sugar flavor and sweetness. Late slight alcohol character. Slight brown sugar hint - rum-like.