OHanlons Thomas Hardys Ale (vintage 2003 and later)

Brewed by OHanlons
Style: Barley Wine
Whimple, England

No head or carbonation on a red /brown colour.Aroma is caramel,alcohol,plum,dark fruit,grape,sultana,raisin.Flavour caramel,marmite,sultana,plum,banana notes,soy,coffee,really lovely flavours.Finish full flavours that last,dry,lovely flavours.

8.5oz 2007 edition bottle. Interesting brew... Incredibly salty, with large amount of alcohol. Light of the carbonation... body really does feel a bit sticky. Sweet caramel nose with hints of black pepper. I would like to get another to age.

2004 bottle. Poured a lovely shade of garnety-amber with a short cap of thick beige head. The aroma picked up deep toasted vinous notes and earth surrounded by greener toffee notes and dried fruits.. the sweetness masked the alcohol and this came across like a blend of port and sherry.. quite enticing. The flavor had dry, brittle English toffee with vinous and other dark fruity notes at the core.. light earthy bitterness, but primarily peppery (and other spicy) alcohol prickly notes a the edges.. caramel and more dark fruit toward the back.. very tasty. Syrupy foray onto the palate and thick throughout with deceptive carbonation (doesn’t seem like much initially, but the tight, tiny bubbles give it a creamy feel).. warmer at the finish with crisp earth, toffee, and raisins.. nice feel and very enjoyable all around! I don’t think this has hit its peak yet.

2007. Muddy brown body with no apparent carbonation, no head. Very sweet and fruity nose with lots of raisins and toffee, some apple and booze. The flavor is very sweet, lightly bitter with tea, caramel, toffee, raisins and prunes. Full body is sticky with extremely light carbonation.

2006 bottle, no. P2924. Pours a flat ice tea color – no head or carbonation. Nose is plums, caramel malts, brown sugar and a rummy alcohol smell. Palate is sweet caramel, plums, dates, honey and some French bread-like yeasty taste. I probably should have let this sit a few more years. This is one of those beers where you’re not sure if you hate it or like it. I’m on the fence. Medium, slightly sticky mouth feel. Unique brew.

Vintage 2005. Pours reddish brown with no head whatsoever. Strong aromas of sweet malts and alcohol. Flavors of darkfruits, raisins and figs. Tastes like port wine. No carbonation at all. It’s surprising that there is no alcohol taste because it was evident in the aroma. Full body with a syrupy mouthfeel. Very different, very interesting. A great sipper. I have 4 more bottles of this vintage in my cellar. Can’t wait to try one with some more age on it.

2005, bottle # 24246. Pours very syrupy hazy brown color with absolutely no head at all. Aroma is alcoholic with malts, some dark fruit and winey. The flavor is dark brown sugars, molasses, dark fruits (grapes, plums, prunes and a lot of figs), and some toasty malt. The beer is a little hot but at 11.7% I kind of expected that (especially after the aroma) and all things considering it is hidden well and very smooth. The beer is rich and complex with gentle flavors if that makes sense. In the end it’s an expensive but fun experience, at least once, but I didn’t think it was amazing party because I thought it was maybe a touch too sweet.

2006 vintage. Very traditional barleywine-- not too hoppy. A great bready, alcohol aroma and a wonderfully smooth, rich complexity in flavor. Very well balanced-- no one prominent flavor. Very enjoyable and a nice counterargument to the hoppy American-style barleywines.