 DrBayern (977), Morehead City, North Carolina, USA
Oct 4, 2006
12 oz. bottle, Batch 64, from Hellomynameis - can’t thank Zac enough for this one! If you don’t like the smell of freshly cut oak, you ain’t going to like this! Fortunately, I do, and the aroma says it all. The oak is right up front, with some molasses and whiskey, and maybe a bit of orange. Hazy orange/brown with a magnificent light beige head that just will not disappear. There was still 1/8" inch left after 20 minutes. Wonderfully rich and smooth with a very light carbonation that seems paradoxical in the context of the head. An almost decadent caramel sweetness that has some vinous qualities, as well as some dark fruitiness. A tangy citrus rind bitterness comes in at just the right time to balance the sweetness. A chewy bitterness lasts until the next sip. Simply wonderful.
GAManiac (352), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Oct 12, 2008 Pours a hazy golden amber with a small bubbly white head that dissipates very quickly to a ring and leaves traces of lacing.
The aroma is extremely unique for a barleywine. It’s very sweet with light fruits and the caramel malts. This is balanced by the significant boozy oak aroma which also lends a vanilla sweetness in the end. Very different aroma...like white wine.
The taste has a hit of the vanilla sweetness from the oak up front before being giving way to the big caramel malt backbone. There is a big alcohol burn in the finish balanced with a citrus hop bitterness. As others have mentioned, I’d compare much of the characteristics of the taste to white wine...interesting.
Mouthfeel is creamy with soft carbonation that just coats the mouth in the woody sweetness.
This is a very interesting brew and one that I’m enjoying slowly. I’m very interested to see what one of these tastes like in a couple years.
presario (2447), Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Oct 12, 2008 12oz. Amber with good lasting head. Rich alcohol and soft spice scent. Delicious alcohol spice flavour. Soft cloud-like body. Hint of peach. Very very very good. Too good to take notes, just sit back and enjoy.
Swolf3 (97), Elkton, Maryland, USA
Oct 7, 2008 Bottle thanks to BuckeyeBoy. Thanks! Poured a murky brown color with a thin layer of head that didn’t last long. Aroma was funky for sure, sweet, fruity, and tobacco. Taste was funky and different then anything I have had before, similar to the aroma along with alcohol, oak and dark fruits. Finish was smooth and complex. Not a huge fan but glad I tried it.
GMCC2181 (429), Bear, Delaware, USA
Oct 7, 2008 12 oz bottle shared by swolf3, thanks wolf. Weird muddy brown color, not much head. The aroma was funky, smelled just like tobacco but fruity as well. Flavor was close to the aroma, again the tobacco flavor, touch of dark fruits, oak, vanilla, and smoke. Smooth texture. Definetely complex but to be honest just not to my liking. I am glad I tried it but wouldnt buy or even want to try it again. Just different....Hats off to Alan for trying something unique, but I will have to stick to the regular FRED! Thanks wolf for sharing!
paytoplay (57), , California, USA
Sep 30, 2008 Dark rich oak and boozy flavors. Rich with intense length. Not the easiest brew to drink. 12oz bottle Toronado SD. Much better from the Wood than the regular. Not sure what batch. Drinking well and this brew could age for a really long time.
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