San Diego Old Whiskey 395

(Draft: San Diego Brewing Company in San Diego, CA) The nose is unusual for a barleywine, lightly malty, not sweet at all, but very oaky and oddly, it smells like aged beef. That may sound bad, but I like the aroma of this beer. Flavorwise, too, this is an odd barleywine. It’s not sweet, at least not like what you’d expect from a barleywine. Rather, it’s very malty and mildly bitter. And of course, there’s the whiskey barrel aging, which lends a moderate amount of woodiness with clear whiskey overtones. The progression of flavor is interesting as it starts out malty, and then the whiskey and oak flavors kick in. The finish, apart from the oak and whiskey, also has some vanilla. Alcohol is fairly well hidden throughout. The palate is very smooth and the finish is rich and silky. Medium brown color with a definite ruddy tint. Light tan head stands in stark contrast to the dark body of liquid under it. The head is small on the pour, but maintains a thin layer indefinitely. Overall, this is a very different and very delicious barleywine, ideal for sipping.