Bourbon Barrel Aged Barbieswine
Pig Pounder Brewery

I agree with superspak with flavors in discription, but having the same 2015 vintage in late 2017, I find little to no head and lacing is non-existent(perhaps I could have poured it better). As it warms and opens flavors diminish(first impressions are the best) as this is quite quaffable for such high ABV. Compared with Big Foot, which only improves as it reaches optimum temp(restrain yourself til the time is right). Aren’t many Barleywines to choose from so I appreciate what Pig Pounder has done.

22 ounce bottle into snifter, 2015 vintage bottling. Pours slightly hazy dark reddish brown color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense and fluffy light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Nice spotty soapy lacing clings around the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of big raisin, prune, fig, cherry, date, plum, apple, bourbon, toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, brown bread, toasted biscuit, light chocolate/nuttiness, herbal, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Very nice aromas with good balance and complexity of fruity yeast, bourbon barrel, and dark/bready malt notes; with great strength. Some booziness in the aromas as it warms, but not overwhelming. Taste of huge raisin, prune, fig, cherry, date, plum, apple, bourbon, toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, brown bread, toasted biscuit, light chocolate/nuttiness, herbal, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate herbal bitterness and bourbon/tannic oak spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of dark fruit, cherry, apple, bourbon, toasted oak, vanilla, caramel, toffee, brown sugar, brown bread, toasted biscuit, light chocolate/nuttiness, and yeast/oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a while. Very nice complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity yeast, bourbon barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; with a nice malt and bourbon/oak spiciness balance, and zero cloying sweetness after the finish. Light dryness from bourbon/tannic oak notes, lightly increasing through the glass. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full body; with a very creamy and lightly slick/sticky/tannic/chalky balanced mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is fairly well hidden with light-moderate warmth and a bit of barrel booziness lingering after the finish; but not overwhelming. Overall this is a very nice barrel aged English barelywine. All around nice complexity, robustness, and balance of fruity yeast, bourbon barrel, and dark/bready malt flavors; smooth and easy to sip on, despite the warming and boozy barrel notes. Still very big on the barrel presence after a year, but has great malt/yeast complexity right now as well. A very enjoyable offering.

Ok at best. Had high hopes for this one. Garbage. Pig pounder needs to close up shop.