Edinburgh Winter Ale Special Reserve 2003
English Ales Brewery

Vintage 2003 bottle shared by Schmittymack at a recent tasting. I had never heard of this beer before, nor for that matter this brewery. With no preconceived notions whatsoever, I gave it a shot. Poured a medium bronze, with a minimal amount of tan head. Although this one was somewhat faded with time, it was still full of Christmas spices, and seems to be holding up quite well. Not something I'd drink every day, but this would be perfect with a holiday meal.

Big thanks to lou91 for this bottle. Pours with a fluffy pillow of tan foam, spotty lacing. Aroma is incredibly spiced and rich. Seriously, words cannot do it justice.

The taste is no letdown. Slight ginger and coriander, a noticeable cinnamon character, light anise, nutmeg, possibly even more flavors lost in translation. A hint of chocolate. Mouthfeel is thick and coating, drinkability is a five. I would love to age some of this for a few years.

Appearance: Pours out a medium dark amber clear body with a tiny head; no lacing to speak of

Smell: Rather closed although it opens as it warms; a bit of holiday spice and malt comes through

Taste: Still has the wonderful taste that I got when I had it on tap; a firm malt backbone of nice toffee/caramel flavor mixed with the holiday spices; a touch of hops but not much

Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with low carbonation

Drinkability: A very nice winter warmer that is better on tap but, nonetheless provides some nice flavors in the bottle.

Bottled in 2003. Drank in July 2005. Tulip glass.

Pours a carmel dark brown. Not much head or lace. This beer is mild on carbonation. Scents are subdued. A very weak caramel malt. Some butter bread and carob make a mild statement. The scents are mainly a mild sweetness.

Flavors are met with a creamy butter. Sweet spices and carob. Some caramel and a heavy spiced gingerbred flavor are at the forefront. Some nuts and grass lend some flavor but are very minimal. The malts are very dark breadlike. The spices give this ale a very winter feel. Hops are there but they list to give way to the malts. The flavors do not overwhelm but are quite nice as they are balanced and do not fight one another for dominance.

At 7%ABV there is no alcohol burn. This ale drinks smooth and easy. The aftertaste is a bit dry and puckering, but overall this is a very easy to drink winter ale. This is not an ale that pushes the limits but finds itself in quiet simplicity.

Pours a dark amber color with a copper hue, minimal head, and some carb action.

Has some what of a musty cereal smell with caramel malt and a grassy citrus hop aroma also hints of allspice..

A moderately sweet and bitter taste with a nutty caramel malt and a grassy citrus hop flavor with hints of allspice.

A medium bodied, slightly syrupy texture, soft and lively carbonation, and a slight metallic finish.

The drinkability is alright for a Winter Ale.