Vintage Xyauyu Solera - 2008 & 2012 Blend
Birra Baladin

Poured a few oz and re-corked it - I wish more beers could be treated this way!

This one pours obviously still, with a dark brown body, and no head or lacing.

This smells like raisin, dried cherry, rum, vanilla, oak, sticky malt, chocolate, sherry, red wine, etc.

There is a lot to this. It obviously opens up even further as you let your small pour warm up a little bit. A small pour is more than enough for this one, as it is very intense and syrupy, but with such a wonderful complex dark fruit character, layers of oak with a light tannic character, milk chocolate, and a welcoming sherry-like oxidized character.

This is medium bodied, with no carbonation, and a soft syrupy body to it. Despite all that, it doesn't really sit very heavy on the palate.

This has gotta be one of the most unique beers out there. If you like Utopias and things of that nature, this hits a lot of the same notes.

Complex blend of 2008 and 2012 Birra Baladin Xyauyu solera aged and poured directly from a rum barrel.

This beer is typically available once per year at OEC's Festivus celebration and is always exceptional.

The pour is a good consistency with a delightful aroma of raisin, figs, and other sticky dark fruits complemented by a nice barrel presence.

The taste mirrors the aroma but is very complex and multiple layers shine throughout the palate while the beer warms to room temperature.

This beer is a wonderful treat and a must-try if possible.