Sun Jun 26, 2005 2:09 pm
12 oz. brown longneck bottle. Bottled on Feb 15, 2004. So, it most assuredly is the 2004 batch. Poured out a deep amber color, a saddle tan, if you will. Decent head, especially for a barleywine. Served in a snifter. Left more than a decent lacing down the sides of the glass. Aromas right off the bat are of honey, alcohol, an old leather baseball glove, malts, and creamed coffee. Tastes are well balanced, with the malts fighting it out with the honey and hops for dominance. Toffee tastes mix well with the slight tobacco tastes, followed up by the malts and honey. Thick, but slick mouthfeel. Hides it's alcohol fairly well, but it is very warming to the throat. Slight burn as it's swallowed. Finishes slightly dry, but balanced. This is one to age for awhile gang. It's young, it's brash, and it's ballsey. Lay it down for awhile and let it age. It will turn out to be a wonderful beer with 3 to 5 years of age on it. This is one to seek out at all costs, gang. All BS aside, this is one of the best (young) barleywines I've ever had. It puts Old Horizontal to shame, even at this young age.
