Dominion Millennium Oak Aged

Brewed by Old Dominion Brewing Co.
Style: Barley Wine
Dover, Delaware USA

Bottle: totally clear medium amber with just a hint of rose coloring in the light. Has a small eggshell head that quickly fades to a tiny ring around the glass that seems to hold. The aroma is nuts, light sherry (I ilke this), candy fruit syrup (ok there’s no such thing but that’s the best way I could think of to describe the sticky sweet smell), caramel apples that have been sitting out for a few days, and a bit of harsh bourbon. Boy do I hope this is not another bourbon-dominated one. Ok, I’m diving in now. There’s a hint of dry sherry, up front, then bourbon comes through. However, in all fairness the bourbon really is nicely balanced by the above average syrupy sweetness of the millennium, so as much as I hate lots of bourbon it really does work here. There’s definite flavors from the oak, nice hints of vanilla and light tannins, a slight hint of charred wood, maple sap, light molasses-covered toasted grains, and a hint of dried instant coffee and cocoa beans, but you’re going to have to work to find those last two. The more I drink of this, the more the oak barrel flavors come through and I really like the flavors from the wood. And the more I get through the glass the more the bourbon flavors start to take over. Too bad, those first few sips had me hoping. Medium bodied, medium carbonation, does have a nice full mouthfeel that doesn’t get too sticky, syrupy, cloying, or hot. You get the bourbon spice without too much alcohol. Well let’s see, I’m not sure if I’ve covered everything here in this short review. Oh right, it’s not bottle conditioned! What would this one be like if it wasn’t heavily filtered and allowed to have live yeast in the bottle??

vanilla, woody, roasty, red, brown, clear, frothy, heavy cloying sweetness, full body, sticky, average carbonation, long finish,

12oz bottle. Medium brown color. Small sized white foamy head. Aroma is fruity and sweet, touch of oak. Medium bodied barley wine. Malts are fruity and sweet. Lots of brown sugar, bourbon and vanilla flavors. Some oak highlights. Very sweet. Very smooth. Hides the 10.4% alcohol well. Mouthfeel is full and round. Finish is smooth. Aftertaste is slightly sweet.

Courtesy of Pialhead. Pours amber with no head. Aroma has lots of bourbon up front, vanilla, sweet malt background. Flavor much the same, with lots of residuel sugar. Too much bourbon for my liking.

Bottle acquired in trade by a generous East Coast RB’er. Pours a nice, lightly opaque reddish-orange color with a fair khaki head. Decent lacing. Aroma is nicely malted and slightly woody, sweet, bits of light vanilla and whiskey. Medium bodied with plenty of carbonation for a 1.5 year old bottle. Flavor is malty with a decent amount of astringency. Large tannic presence with vanilla, malt and sugar. Alcohol is hidden fairly well. Pretty darn good beer, lacking a bit in palate which can seem thin at times.

Thanks to jeffin7 for a sampling of this one at the KSPFT! Poured a small tan head, good retention and some stringy lacing. Lightly hazy amber hued brew. Nose of Whisky, lightly sweet malts, caramel and light woody notes. Body is med/full, creamy texture and a nice carbonation. Medium sweet maltiness with gentle Whisky notes, berries, minty, and maybe some citrus coming through. Finish is lightly sweet and woody, lasting. Thanks Jeff!

The aroma was dark fermented fruit, and malty sweetness. The flavor was dark fermented fruit, malty sweetness, and flowers. The beer poured a cloudy brown color w/ almost no head and lacing. The mouthfeel was medium to full bodied, and creamy.

Sampled at the after Kennett Square tasting - thanks to whomever brought this one! Poured a darker and cloudy amber color with a smaller sized off white head. Aromas of vanilla, bourbon, and caramel. Tastes of vanilla, bourbon, toffee, and brown sugar. Sweeter.