 HogTownHarry (3286), Toronto (Harbourfront), Ontario, Canada
Dec 6, 2007
Bottle (750ml). At BeerBistro - shared with blankboy. Batch 1. Rating #2700. Poured murky dark reddish-brown, with a smallish mottled tan creamy/bubbly head. The aroma is wonderful - smooth and complex and certainly no complaints at all, apart from it being a tad too restrained - I got, variously, well-rounded funky yeast, smooth, lightly chocolatey caramel malt, soft, rich spice, with raisins and citrus zest, and an overall blanketing of downy-soft oak/vanilla tannins. The taste - wow. Just wow. Barleywine is now done for me, I don’t expect to taste better, ever - smooth, roast caramel malt, quite sweet with dusty rosehip highlights and mocha, the alcohol reminded me of armanac, and there is even a whisper of floral hops lingering in there, as well as raisins and ... look, it’s just F’in good, okay? thick, soft, lightly sugary mouthfeel, a joy on the palate - nice sludge at the bottom too (yumm), and it got increasingly warming - drink this with a friend, but not hot, not boozy. Splended, sophisticated, wonderful - I don’t know how long this was cellared, but with THIS age on it, this is an amazing experience - I described it after the fact as "like being beaten to death with a solid gold bar wrapped in chinchilla."
BDR (1929), Roseville, Minnesota, USA
Oct 12, 2008 GABF 2008. 2006 vintage offering. Solid. Utterly solid. Super sweet oak and dark pitted fruit aroma that’s incredibly balanced. Indeed, it’s somewhat a relief to try an oak aged beer that hasn’t been contaminated by the now dreaded flavor of bourbon. A sweet body that’s just shy of cloying with a distinct brandy characteristic.
WeeObese (10), San Diego, California, USA
Oct 10, 2008 Pours with a dark coffee color and a small tan head that clings to the sides of the glass. The aroma is sweet dark chocolate, light fruitiness, moderate booze, and wonderful barrel aged sourness. The flavor, wow. I had a bottle of this fresh and on tap and it has evolved. It is not as sweet and brandy-like now and the sourness has really become dominate. Sweet malt, carmel, liquor filled chocolates, slight oak/barrel, brandy, sour, funkiness from barrel aging (oxidation). The palate is medium bodied, with a slight alcohol burn, and a clinging finish. For an 11.5% abv this beer goes down easily, maybe too easily. I really like this beer and am glad I have few more sitting in my cellar. I hear the next batch (2008) will be from freshly emptied brandy barrels, so I look forward to that beer.
michael-pollack (1488), King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA
Oct 10, 2008 750ml Bottle: Sweet aroma of oak, vanilla, brandy, and alcohol. Poured brown in color with a small, tan head. Cloudy. Sparkling. Medium sweet flavor. Tastes of malts, chocolate, brandy, oak, vanilla, and caramel. Medium body. Smooth, lightly oily texture. Soft to average carbonation. Vanilla, malt and oak finish.
waolsen (1021), Littleton, Colorado, USA
Oct 10, 2008 bottle. thanks glkaiser. dark pour with thin head. rich nutty aroma with vanilla, oak, chocolate. flavors match aroma. rich. great balance.
jasonp (1446), Sterling/Dulles, Virginia, USA
Oct 9, 2008 Nov 07 release. 750ml. Dark brown with a light beige head. Awesome nose of vanilla, smoke, wood and a touch of coconut. Just massive tasting - notes of caramel, light roast, bourbon, vanilla, oak, smoke, light chocolate and coconut. Pleasant, slightly burnt aftertaste. Nice sweetness level with ample hop bitterness. Full, round and creamy with subtle carbonation. Great stuff.
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