 ClarkVV (3547), Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Aug 29, 2005
2004 Vintage, bottle #10/100 big thanks to Eyedrinkale for sharing this. Good lord, the picture to the left is worth 1,000 words. Just the most spectacular glowing ruby-auburn with magenta and amber highlights. Small, off-white/beige colored head is not extremely well-retained, but then, this is an 18% abv beer, so I’m just impressed it pours a head at all. Sediment is left on the bottom, and the beer is well unfiltered. Aroma of dry tofee, walnut paste, sherry of course, sticky caramel, buttercream, plum brandy and rich barley. Light hints of alcohol grace the nose, but it’s more a refined liquor sort of thing, not a raw ethanol. Taking a sip, or should I say, sinking my teeth in to it, I am greeted with the most succulent of malts. Thick, rich, caramel and toffee as far as the eye can see, with light raisins, vinous sherry notes and plenty of honey. Finishes with a dry, musty yeast, like peanut or walnut skins. Thick, chewy body is of course sweet, but not overly so. There’s something so divine and well-done about the malt flavor that it makes drinking this a real treat. Very low carbonation with a strong drying and yet warming sensation on the end. Such a little, unpretentious bottle and such a magnificent king among beers. . .I can’t even imagine how good this will be a number of years from now.
Miver (432), WillowStreet, Pennsylvania, USA
Aug 12, 2008 6oz bottle, #56/100. Thanks to Clark for sharing this one. Poured a still copper amber in color with no head. Aroma of is malty, raisons and dark fruits. Tastes of raisons, dark fruits, nuts, and a bit warming with alcohol present. I understand why this was in such a small bottle now. It’s very different, but very good for what it is.
jjpm74 (3087), Stratford, CT 06614, Connecticut, USA
Jun 15, 2008 Thanks to Paul for giving me a chance to try this monster. Pours red with a small white head. Smells floral with soe chewy malt. Tastes of raisins, some nuts, hints of booziness. Some residual sugar on the finish. The alcohol is there but complimentary. Very nice!
BrianK (73), New Jersey, USA
May 23, 2008 My notes read: Doesn’t taste like an eisbock. Nice brew hot sweet. I’m already nice but this is nice in small pours. What the hell was i thinking when i wrote this...
PilsnerPeter (1473), Flushing, New York, USA
May 12, 2008 Bottle at Paul’s Hoboken Gathering: Copper pour, near headless. Rich and sweet aroma of plums, honey and alcohol. Slick body with a peppery alcohol punch. Sweet notes of raisins and prunes. Peppery alcohol throughout the entire palate. High octane, huge body, but surprisingly smooth for the high ABV.
puzzl (1818), New York, New York, USA
Mar 1, 2008 Bottle generously shared by Goldtwins, 2006 vintage. Dead orange pour, cloudy with little head. Toasty with a sugary sweetness, a touch of yeast, heavy and thick. Flavor has a lively sweetness, old bread crust, vegetal -- tomatoes and peppers -- with a bit of alcohol burn going down. Very big in body and stature. Quite a beer, but not really my thing.
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