 DocLock (4083), Lower Pottsgrove, Pennsylvania, USA
May 3, 2008
First of all, I am amazed at how many people have sampled this one. Secondly, my methods of procurement will remain a closely guarded secret. Thirdly, I sincerely hope that all eBay prospectors die in a fire. On to my review:
Pour: Hazy deep brown with huge 4-finger tan head, a gigantic cork pop, and lacing that sticks more than a Freshman college chick dating a senior linebacker.
Nose: Oaky, plummy malt, brown sugar, spicy yeast, mild hops, bourbon, port, blackberry
Flavor: Initially oaky malty and caramelly, with plummy, blackberry, port, brown sugar, fig, mild cacao, but not tasting sweet, rather as a very well balanced oaky boubony beverage with the added brown sugary, malty, fig, and cognacy notes as subtle additions, and not as entitites overtaking the beer.
Palate/Overall: The palate was as complex as I’ve ever quaffed, with intermingling flavors and an amazing balance. As I poured the last dregs of this, I briefly considered going onto eBay for another, but then I regained my ratebeer confidence and realized that I will never become one of those bottom-feeding scumbags, and I remembered that with the proper where-with-alll, I would see this one again. Still, if that is too optimistic, then I will see this beer in my dreams, right next to Christy Canyon.
leaparsons (3878), Leicester, Leicestershire, England
Aug 17, 2008 Cask, GBBF 08. Dark with no head. Aromas are rich roast malts with warming brandy and lots of lqiqourice. Woody and vinous. Flavours are chocolate and coffee with spices and lots of warming alcohol. Smooth and rich with a very long aftertaste. Great.
Svesse (1621), Hässelby, Sweden
Aug 16, 2008 (Cask at GBBF, London, 5 Aug 2008) Very dark brown colour with foamy, pale brown head. Malty, woody nose with notes of dried fruit, prunes and raisins. Rather vinous, dominated by the wood aromas. Malty, woody taste with dark fruit, raisin, prunes, bourbon and coffee (or rather what we in Sweden call kaffekask - coffee with a generous splash of liquor in it). Long, vinous and woody finish. Very warming. Excellent stuff!
Sigmund (1896), Hafrsfjord, Norway
Aug 16, 2008 Cask at the GBBF 2008, gravity dispense. Nearly black colour (very dark reddish brown). Intense and lovely aroma of various subtropical woods, winey notes. The mouthfeel has lots of alcoholic warmth as expected. The flavour has notes of oak and fortified wine. Very good.
Skinnyviking (2590), Copenhagen, Denmark
Aug 16, 2008 Cask. Low but lasting off-white fluffy head. Pitch black body. Coffee hops alcohol aroma. Smooth and pleasant port wine like flavor of coffee and just a hint of vanilla with low carbonation, long veneous aftertaste. Alcohol well hidden.
cgarvieuk (2302), Edinburgh, Scotland
Aug 15, 2008 Cask at GBBF 08... WOW i didnt even realise i had the Bourbon version. Deep brown... sweet vanilla nose ... again a light vanilla ... loads od toffeee and sweet malts ... nice mellow ... very warming... didnt really pick up much bourbon... Note were a bit poor as i thought it was a rerate of the normal version. Though i did think it seemed smoother that the normal bottle id tried at RBESG 08 but put that down to being cask.
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