Harvest Ale Limited Edition 2008
J.W. Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd

This is the 2008 Limited Edition consumed on 26 October 2025.

Looks nearly still on the pour. No head and a scant few bubbles. It's a slightly cloudy dark brown. There was sediment in the bottom of the bottle that mostly stayed put.

The smell is fantastic. Lots of fig, sweet cherry, dark brown sugar. A bit of tobacco and maybe some leather.

Holy hell - this is incredibly, ridiculously smooth. Big fig and almost date flavor, a bit of prune. The cherry comes in a bit later and it all mingles with an underlying dark brown sugar sweet flavor. Brown bread and a touch of tobacco. A little milk chocolate drifts in and out. There's a late-arriving flavor just on the swallow that I can't put my finger on, but it seems oaky - plain oak. It also reads just a bit smoky. A very little bit of pepper eventually comes in on the aftertaste after a few sips.

The feel is soft and lush. Nearly still. While it is sweet up front there's a dryness at the finish. The only sign of the 11.7 is a pleasant warming on the way down.

I can't do this justice - it's tremendously flavorful and exceptionally smooth drinking.