Date: 05/05/2007
Mode: Bottle
Source: Tasting, Yankee Go Home!

dark muddy brown, scant head, sweet bourbon and smokey malt with earthyness, rich malt flavor, lots of bourbon and dark caramel, light smokeyness, hint of woody vanilla, tartness in the finish,

Aroma: 7/10; Appearance: 6/10; Flavor: 7/10; Palate: 6/10; Overall: 14/20
Rating: 3.4/5.0
Drinkability: 7/10
Score: ***/4

(12oz bottle, 2006 vintage, thanks ryan) Minimal brown head atop lightly hazed mahogany body. Aroma is sweet, soy, caramel, light oak. Taste is sweet, infected sourness, caramel/soy, some vanilla/Bourbon, wood. Sticky full body. Sad that I didn’t get to try this fresh, but it should have aged well but for the infection.

Beautiful reddish mahogany, cloudy topped by a large beige head, uniform and lasting (this is 12.5% mind you!). Upon smelling, you immediately enter the major leagues, there is not so much competition in the scotch ales department, even in a world-wide sense, but this one is an easy chart topper. It may actually be my favourite out of the dozens I’ve tried. Its strong cerealic nose immediately unveils layers upon layers of decadent maltiness. Every whiff opens a new domain of blossoming fruit, while a strong vanilla, peaty, earthy component actually has a real scotch feeling to it. Alcohol warmth is obvious, but you would not advance such a monstrosity as 12+%. The round and fruity body is thick, chewy (not syrupy), rich and an immediate charmer thanks to its cleansing, effective carbonation that leaves you reaching for another sip within an absolutely unreasonable delay. An example with everything, vinous, peaty, fruity, strong and one that keeps you addicted. Just writing the review makes me wish I had one in my hands. Superior scotch ale.

Pours a viscous transparent dark mahogany with ruby hues and a thin ring of tan head. Sweet dark earthy caramel malty aroma has a light fruity tartness and a touch of bourbon oak. Body starts fairly full with a strange earthy, mildly acidic tartness that seems out of place. Has a sour, oaky warming finish with some mild oxidation. Hides its alcohol pretty well but seems almost infected.

Draft... Murky, very dark ale with a mid-sized, creamy, beige head. The nose is vinous with lots of blackstrap molasses, peat smoke, caramel malt, chocolate, coffee and diacetylic butter. Vinous, sweet flavor. Chocolate, coffee, port, dark fruits, moderately bitter bourbon and hops. Full-bodied and silky with moderate carbonation. Finishes chocolaty, bittersweet and warming.