 franksnbeans (265), Rockville, Maryland, USA
Dec 23, 2007
2001 Vintage
Pours a ruddy cloudy brown with a buttery 1 finger head that dies to a ring and laces. Smells of big caramel, toffee, very sweet, a little creamy and a slight sting of alcohol. Taste is so smooth. Sweet almost syrupy caramel, butter, toffee, earthy and creamy on the finish. Silk in the mouth. ABV is completely hidden which is insane. Those this built as a once in a while sipper, its very drinkable.
haddonsman (1214), Derby, Derbyshire, England
Dec 31, 2008 It poured like a good scotch, a deep smooth amber that had weight to it - like an oily single malt does. There was fiery alcohol escaping, fumes pent up for a decade and rollicking rampant as they were released. There’s a body segueing from deep tea brown to ruby red at the base, a whirl brings a tight light beige head, leaving sticky legs down the snifter. A fresh Christmas cake dough scent is suddenly swamped by alcohol that I can feel in the back of my throat- it actually makes me blink.
Watching the head dissipate into a galaxial swirl, a moire pattern collapses into no more than a mere tea stain on an unbuffed mahogany desk. Seemingly I can’t tire of playing with this beer. To the lips, then. Here be black treacle, candy sugar, brandy, thick fresh caramel, a carbonation pinpricking and just the most amazing sustained sweetness.
That was all half an hour ago. Now, the head has left and so has any underlying alcohol harshness. Instead, there’s a placid glass of dark sherry and light spices. There’s still tight alcohol that you can actually inhale into beneath your eyelids if you sniff hard enough. The complexity has unwound, the code broken, malt and hops: sweet.
ksurkin (89), Norfolk, Virginia, USA
Dec 31, 2008 1999 vintage from grape and gourmet poured into a snifter. pours a hazy ruby brown color with a thin off-white head. aroma is wonderful with hints of apricot, yellow raisins, winter spices, and sweetness with a touch of alcohol. flavor is spectacularly complex. starts of sweet with flavors of raisin, brown sugar, toffee, and fruit cake. after the swallow flavors of wood, roasted malts, and a slight alcohol burn come through. very smooth drinking with a warming sensation after the swallow. an excellent brew.
EricE (309), Beltsville, Maryland, USA
Dec 27, 2008 1997 Vintage. Ruby red pour. Clear with a light tan head. Sweet aroma with lots of chocolaty port and raisins. Hints of cinnamon and spices. Lots of sweet raisins and chocolate on the tongue. Finish with a slightly bitter woodiness. Very easy to drink despite the alcohol level. Good beer.
tomthompson89 (1243), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dec 25, 2008 1999 edition. WOW!! Fantastic barley wine!!!! kinda ruby brown pour with tan foam. nose is toffee, sweet malts a little booze and maple syrup also maybe some dried fruits. flavor has all of these and more... so balanced so well done. gonna buy a bunch more soon.
markwise (450), Just North of Tampa, Florida, USA
Dec 22, 2008 Bottle from OTH, 1999 Vintage. Pours reddish amber with a tiny head. Aroma is currant, sherry, caramel, raisin, fruit. Music in the aroma and the flavor. Flavor has all kinds of complexity to it: sugar, depth, brown sugar, sherry, raisins, currants, and alcohol. Simply amazing.
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