AROMA 8/10 APPEARANCE 3/5 TASTE 9/10 PALATE 5/5 OVERALL 18/20
AdamJackson (2577) – Enfield, New Hampshire, USA – SEP 5, 2014
A – Pour is very murky brown woody with a very prune juice appearance which is of course the look of a barley wine so no surprise there. 1 finger milk chocolate head appeared and faded to a thin ring.
S – Smell is walnut, chestnut, caramel, peanut, vanilla ice cream, figs, maple syrup and toffee. Very decadent aroma.
T – Obviously whiskey up front, middle and at the finish. The whiskey is long lasting. There’s a lot going on here. Oak tannic vanilla is probably the most substantial and a walnut pistachio mix of nuttiness with rich figs covered in a sweet candy apple sugary taste. There’s a whole lot going on here. Maybe it’s slightly more sweet than I would prefer but that’s my own fault.
M – Mouthfeel is creamy, dense and oily with a bittersweet naked vanilla finish.
O – The long time in oak has done wonders to this beer. It’s perfect right out of the gate. Sure it’ll change with time but this is ready to drink now. Reminds me of a lot of barleywines after I sit on them for a year after purchase. The 2 years in oak lends a slight oxidation, brings out the oak and vanilla and lets the flavors meld together really well.
