AleSmith Wee Heavy - Barrel Aged | AleSmith Brewing Company
Brewed by:
AleSmith Brewing Company
California, United States | website
Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 9.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
This was barrel aged and limited to 234 hand numbered bottles from the 2004 batch of Wee Heavy and released in 2005.
Added by scottoale on 04-08-2006
View: Beers | Place Reviews | Events
Reviews: 118 | Ratings: 420
4.66/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Quite delicious. Smells like creme brûlée and bourbon. Taste is a great blend of bourbon, caramel, toffee and butterscotch. There is a good alcohol bite but it's not as strong as other similar beers as its only 10%. Very drinkable and good mouthfeel / carbonation. Overall a fantastic brew - wish I had a few to age.
★ 318 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
Quite delicious. Smells like creme brûlée and bourbon. Taste is a great blend of bourbon, caramel, toffee and butterscotch. There is a good alcohol bite but it's not as strong as other similar beers as its only 10%. Very drinkable and good mouthfeel / carbonation. Overall a fantastic brew - wish I had a few to age.
★ 318 characters
4.34/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Butterscotch, fig jam, brown sugar, Crème brûlée, vanilla, cherries, oak and bourbon. Has a rich earthiness. Smells heavy, but drinks light. Good English Barleywine flavors. Medium mouthfeel and carb. Short finish. Damn fine beer.
★ 233 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
Butterscotch, fig jam, brown sugar, Crème brûlée, vanilla, cherries, oak and bourbon. Has a rich earthiness. Smells heavy, but drinks light. Good English Barleywine flavors. Medium mouthfeel and carb. Short finish. Damn fine beer.
★ 233 characters
4.41/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle shared by Barry last night, thanks dude.
This one pours a slightly murky dark brown, with a few fizzy bubbles that could kind of be considered a head, and no lacing.
Smells like rich, deep bourbon, with some boozy aromas, caramel, vanilla, and oak. Smells like it's gonna be good.
This is pretty boozy, but in a fairly solid way. It's hot, but in a warming way, with tons of caramel, oak, vanilla, and some toffee, and a fairly significant, in your face bourbon character.
This is medium bodied, but still pretty full in the mouthfeel, with a fairly creamy mouthfeel, as a lot of Alesmith's barrel program is. There's a lower level of carbonation, and a kick of booze on the end of each sip.
I think this could continue to age well with time, but now, this '14 vintage (I believe) is drinking really well, and is a super decadent treat.
★ 848 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Bottle shared by Barry last night, thanks dude.
This one pours a slightly murky dark brown, with a few fizzy bubbles that could kind of be considered a head, and no lacing.
Smells like rich, deep bourbon, with some boozy aromas, caramel, vanilla, and oak. Smells like it's gonna be good.
This is pretty boozy, but in a fairly solid way. It's hot, but in a warming way, with tons of caramel, oak, vanilla, and some toffee, and a fairly significant, in your face bourbon character.
This is medium bodied, but still pretty full in the mouthfeel, with a fairly creamy mouthfeel, as a lot of Alesmith's barrel program is. There's a lower level of carbonation, and a kick of booze on the end of each sip.
I think this could continue to age well with time, but now, this '14 vintage (I believe) is drinking really well, and is a super decadent treat.
★ 848 characters
4.22/5 rDev -1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2009 Bottle
Watered down brown and pink body.
Sweet smell. Vanilla, oak, caramel...
Primarily caramel, bourbon, and vanilla taste.
Short finish. Dry. Very smooth.
Overall - Classy. I think this was past it's prime.
★ 220 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2009 Bottle
Watered down brown and pink body.
Sweet smell. Vanilla, oak, caramel...
Primarily caramel, bourbon, and vanilla taste.
Short finish. Dry. Very smooth.
Overall - Classy. I think this was past it's prime.
★ 220 characters
4.25/5 rDev -1.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Rating 2014 edition with 2 years of age on it. One of the best scotch ales I've ever had. Barrel aging adds some character while smoothing things out. Great tasting scotch ale. Similar to Wulver from my memory. A must try for scotch ale fans, otherwise still a good beer.
★ 271 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Rating 2014 edition with 2 years of age on it. One of the best scotch ales I've ever had. Barrel aging adds some character while smoothing things out. Great tasting scotch ale. Similar to Wulver from my memory. A must try for scotch ale fans, otherwise still a good beer.
★ 271 characters
4.27/5 rDev -0.7%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
September 12th, 2013 - The Wee Heavy occupies a wee space in my heart. AleSmith sometimes feels like the last tattered bastion for dark brews in San Diego. When I heard they brewed a batch in bourbon barrels, I knew I need to try a sip, or ideally more than just a sip. It's like seeking medicine after weeks and months of IPAs, hoping to slake my thirst for the deep, dark stuff. The bourbon aged version of the Wee Heavy is about on par with the original in appearance. It looks like a cloudy soda, with big, frog-eye bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass near the top. But the aroma makes it clear that this is not the same beer as before. Immediately I recognize (compelled to recognize) that this is punchy brew, strong and heavily laced with bourbon notes. It's tough, redolent, but not too sharp or raw. There's refinement in there, like the $30 plus bottles one buys to impress a father figure. Also in there are notes of old houses, old furniture, wood, and malt. There's beer in there, but it's staring back at me with a heavy, leather and antique mask. The body is sudsy and medium in weight - not too sharp, not too loud. It takes awhile for the booze to settle in, and once it does, those bourbon notes dominate. But then subtler tastes of Scotch and peat mingle with the bourbon, creating a new and intoxicating harmony. When the dark malty notes pike on, this beer turns into a warm, smoothing and relaxing brew, delivering heady and aged alcoholic notes all the way to a low grumbling and murmuring aftertaste. It's a decidedly different beer than the raw Wee Heavy, but well worth the expense. All that's left is finding a cabin in the forest to pair this with.
★ 1,683 characters
look: 3.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
September 12th, 2013 - The Wee Heavy occupies a wee space in my heart. AleSmith sometimes feels like the last tattered bastion for dark brews in San Diego. When I heard they brewed a batch in bourbon barrels, I knew I need to try a sip, or ideally more than just a sip. It's like seeking medicine after weeks and months of IPAs, hoping to slake my thirst for the deep, dark stuff. The bourbon aged version of the Wee Heavy is about on par with the original in appearance. It looks like a cloudy soda, with big, frog-eye bubbles clinging to the sides of the glass near the top. But the aroma makes it clear that this is not the same beer as before. Immediately I recognize (compelled to recognize) that this is punchy brew, strong and heavily laced with bourbon notes. It's tough, redolent, but not too sharp or raw. There's refinement in there, like the $30 plus bottles one buys to impress a father figure. Also in there are notes of old houses, old furniture, wood, and malt. There's beer in there, but it's staring back at me with a heavy, leather and antique mask. The body is sudsy and medium in weight - not too sharp, not too loud. It takes awhile for the booze to settle in, and once it does, those bourbon notes dominate. But then subtler tastes of Scotch and peat mingle with the bourbon, creating a new and intoxicating harmony. When the dark malty notes pike on, this beer turns into a warm, smoothing and relaxing brew, delivering heady and aged alcoholic notes all the way to a low grumbling and murmuring aftertaste. It's a decidedly different beer than the raw Wee Heavy, but well worth the expense. All that's left is finding a cabin in the forest to pair this with.
★ 1,683 characters
4.33/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
2012 vintage poured into a large wine glass. Pour is a bit cloudy but offers a nice tan cap of foam which reduces to and maintains a light surface carbonation.
Notable barrel and some boozy notes on the aroma. Some vanilla and oak along with a hint of cocoa with a bit of foam after a spin. Pretty well balanced and with no ethanol heat to be found.
Taste follows seamlessly from the nosse with some caramel and bourbony oak on the finish. Finish is long and offers complex fruit and oak nuance. Firmly carbonated for a barrel aged brew, almost spritzy and with a full bodied/rich feel which keeps it away from the vinous side of things.
About three years in the cellar has served this bottle well. Balanced and mellow. And with this year's going on sale tomorrow, it's decision time.
10.0% 2012 Bottle
★ 817 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
2012 vintage poured into a large wine glass. Pour is a bit cloudy but offers a nice tan cap of foam which reduces to and maintains a light surface carbonation.
Notable barrel and some boozy notes on the aroma. Some vanilla and oak along with a hint of cocoa with a bit of foam after a spin. Pretty well balanced and with no ethanol heat to be found.
Taste follows seamlessly from the nosse with some caramel and bourbony oak on the finish. Finish is long and offers complex fruit and oak nuance. Firmly carbonated for a barrel aged brew, almost spritzy and with a full bodied/rich feel which keeps it away from the vinous side of things.
About three years in the cellar has served this bottle well. Balanced and mellow. And with this year's going on sale tomorrow, it's decision time.
10.0% 2012 Bottle
★ 817 characters
4.15/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Brown almost black color with a thick thin head.
Nice predominant aroma of burnt coconut, dark fruits, vanilla and oak.
Likewise sweet flavor with notes of chocolate, dark fruits, lots of roasted coconut, bourbon, caramels, vanilla, licorice and oak. Smooth and long finish.
Full body with mild carbonation. Alcohol of 10% is harmonic with the beer.
Very good beer with intense flavors and great complexity. Still easy to drink. Curious now to compare this to the regular version.
★ 480 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Brown almost black color with a thick thin head.
Nice predominant aroma of burnt coconut, dark fruits, vanilla and oak.
Likewise sweet flavor with notes of chocolate, dark fruits, lots of roasted coconut, bourbon, caramels, vanilla, licorice and oak. Smooth and long finish.
Full body with mild carbonation. Alcohol of 10% is harmonic with the beer.
Very good beer with intense flavors and great complexity. Still easy to drink. Curious now to compare this to the regular version.
★ 480 characters
4.52/5 rDev +5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Picked up a 750ml bottle in mid-March from Papago Brewing for $39.99. Bottled
Beer poured a dark brown with a nice off white head that dissipated quickly.
Nose is vanilla and light bourbon, caramel and dark fruit.
Taste is caramel and toffee with vanilla, oak, light bourbon, and dark fruits. Sweet but not cloying. Alcohol is warming which is nice on a cool 50 degree day in the desert.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and pretty smooth.
Overall this is a delicious well made brew. It was fun to try once but the price tag is way too steep to try again.
★ 558 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
Picked up a 750ml bottle in mid-March from Papago Brewing for $39.99. Bottled
Beer poured a dark brown with a nice off white head that dissipated quickly.
Nose is vanilla and light bourbon, caramel and dark fruit.
Taste is caramel and toffee with vanilla, oak, light bourbon, and dark fruits. Sweet but not cloying. Alcohol is warming which is nice on a cool 50 degree day in the desert.
Mouthfeel is medium bodied and pretty smooth.
Overall this is a delicious well made brew. It was fun to try once but the price tag is way too steep to try again.
★ 558 characters
4.2/5 rDev -2.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got in a trade with swingracex. 750 ml bottle into snifter; 2013 vintage, bottled on 2/11/2014. Pours hazy nearly opaque dark brown color with a small foamy khaki head with poor retention, that reduces to a small ring of lace that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation retaining a thin cap. Aromas of big caramel, toast, toffee, brown sugar, raisin, prune, fig, date, licorice, light chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, oak, light butterscotch/coconut/leather, and toast/oaky earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel notes; with good strength. A fair amount of noticeable alcohol, but subsides as it reaches room temperatures. Taste of big caramel, toffee, toast, brown sugar, raisin, plum, fig, date, licorice, light chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, oak, light butterscotch/coconut/leather, and toast/oaky earthiness. Light amount of tannic oak bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, toffee, toast, brown sugar, raisin, plum, licorice, light chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, oak, light butterscotch/coconut/leather and oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity and robustness of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; with a great malt/barrel balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very smooth and moderately creamy/slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is well hidden with only a light warming present after the finish. Overall this is an awesome barrel aged scotch ale style. All around great complexity and balance of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the big ABV. A highly enjoyable offering.
★ 1,804 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Got in a trade with swingracex. 750 ml bottle into snifter; 2013 vintage, bottled on 2/11/2014. Pours hazy nearly opaque dark brown color with a small foamy khaki head with poor retention, that reduces to a small ring of lace that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a moderate amount of streaming carbonation retaining a thin cap. Aromas of big caramel, toast, toffee, brown sugar, raisin, prune, fig, date, licorice, light chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, oak, light butterscotch/coconut/leather, and toast/oaky earthiness. Damn nice aromas with great balance and complexity of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel notes; with good strength. A fair amount of noticeable alcohol, but subsides as it reaches room temperatures. Taste of big caramel, toffee, toast, brown sugar, raisin, plum, fig, date, licorice, light chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, oak, light butterscotch/coconut/leather, and toast/oaky earthiness. Light amount of tannic oak bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of caramel, toffee, toast, brown sugar, raisin, plum, licorice, light chocolate, vanilla, bourbon, oak, light butterscotch/coconut/leather and oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Incredible complexity and robustness of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; with a great malt/barrel balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light carbonation and fairly full bodied; with a very smooth and moderately creamy/slick mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is well hidden with only a light warming present after the finish. Overall this is an awesome barrel aged scotch ale style. All around great complexity and balance of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the big ABV. A highly enjoyable offering.
★ 1,804 characters
4.5/5 rDev +4.7%
2014 vintage poured into an Alesmith barrel-aged reserve glass.
A: Pours a dark brown with a 1-2 cm head
S: Strong caramel, bourbon
T: Absolutely amazing. Sweet, caramel, strong bourbon, vanilla, dark fruit
M: Amazing. Exactly what I expect from a barrel-aged beer from Alesmith. Full bodied.
Overall: This is best barrel-aged scotch-style ale I have had. Unbelievable flavor.
★ 389 characters
2014 vintage poured into an Alesmith barrel-aged reserve glass.
A: Pours a dark brown with a 1-2 cm head
S: Strong caramel, bourbon
T: Absolutely amazing. Sweet, caramel, strong bourbon, vanilla, dark fruit
M: Amazing. Exactly what I expect from a barrel-aged beer from Alesmith. Full bodied.
Overall: This is best barrel-aged scotch-style ale I have had. Unbelievable flavor.
★ 389 characters
4.64/5 rDev +7.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Fresh 2015 vintage
Tons of bourbon, sticky caramel, marzipan, vanilla, toffee, and 'single malt' maltiness. Wonderfully vibrant and not too sweet. Tons of bourbon on this and it does not overpower the base beer. Just a huge, rich scotch ale with phenomenal barrel presence.
Fresh 2013 vintage
Pours very dark mahogany with some ruby on the edges, pretty muddy. Nice beige barrel head - creamy tight bubbles coat the glass on the pout, bigger bubbles as it sits.
Fantastic barrel aroma as with all Alesmith BA beers - big bourbon, wet oak, oaky vanilla, some toffee. The barrel does not dominate the base beer - brown sugar, toffee, caramel, some sweet smoke, and dark fruits.
Full bodied and flavored - big drier finish.
Another great product of the Alesmith barrel program. - 4.53
★ 795 characters
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
Fresh 2015 vintage
Tons of bourbon, sticky caramel, marzipan, vanilla, toffee, and 'single malt' maltiness. Wonderfully vibrant and not too sweet. Tons of bourbon on this and it does not overpower the base beer. Just a huge, rich scotch ale with phenomenal barrel presence.
Fresh 2013 vintage
Pours very dark mahogany with some ruby on the edges, pretty muddy. Nice beige barrel head - creamy tight bubbles coat the glass on the pout, bigger bubbles as it sits.
Fantastic barrel aroma as with all Alesmith BA beers - big bourbon, wet oak, oaky vanilla, some toffee. The barrel does not dominate the base beer - brown sugar, toffee, caramel, some sweet smoke, and dark fruits.
Full bodied and flavored - big drier finish.
Another great product of the Alesmith barrel program. - 4.53
★ 795 characters
4.66/5 rDev +8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
05/03/2014 - 750ml bottle (2014) into snifter
A - Opaque, solid almost black pour with 1/2" dark tan head with good retention.
S - Most noticeably is the bourbon to start, almost overwhelming. Followed by hints of toffee, caramel, oak/woody, and slight vanilla.
T - Initial heavy bourbon without overpowering heat. Again you find the toffee, caramel, oak/woody with a very small amount of vanilla. The finish is oak/woody with warmth from the alcohol. All facets of flavors come almost perfectly.
M - Little carbonation, pretty heavy and lingered on the palette for a considerable amount of time.
O - Overall this beer is a killer drink. I can't imagine how good this batch will be aged.
★ 692 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.75
05/03/2014 - 750ml bottle (2014) into snifter
A - Opaque, solid almost black pour with 1/2" dark tan head with good retention.
S - Most noticeably is the bourbon to start, almost overwhelming. Followed by hints of toffee, caramel, oak/woody, and slight vanilla.
T - Initial heavy bourbon without overpowering heat. Again you find the toffee, caramel, oak/woody with a very small amount of vanilla. The finish is oak/woody with warmth from the alcohol. All facets of flavors come almost perfectly.
M - Little carbonation, pretty heavy and lingered on the palette for a considerable amount of time.
O - Overall this beer is a killer drink. I can't imagine how good this batch will be aged.
★ 692 characters
3.84/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
750ml bottle. Poured into a brandy snifter 5/2/2014.
A- Lighter caramel brown body, half finger off-white head, some retention, no lacing.
S- Bourbon. Serious bourbon nose. A bit of distinct toffee malt sweetness, but this is otherwise straight up bourbon. It's interesting but still running a bit hot.
F- More bourbon. I really don't get a lot of sweetness that I can definitively say is from the malt. It's a fairly one-dimensional beer that is heavy on the bourbon sweetness and barrel notes. Certainly not terrible at all, it's in fact quite flavourful.
M- Medium body, lower in carbonation, slick and still a very hot finish.
O- A hard one for me to drink only because I don't enjoy it as much when the bourbon overwhelms everything in the base beer. I can definitely see how some people can really enjoy this, but it's really not for me.
★ 848 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
750ml bottle. Poured into a brandy snifter 5/2/2014.
A- Lighter caramel brown body, half finger off-white head, some retention, no lacing.
S- Bourbon. Serious bourbon nose. A bit of distinct toffee malt sweetness, but this is otherwise straight up bourbon. It's interesting but still running a bit hot.
F- More bourbon. I really don't get a lot of sweetness that I can definitively say is from the malt. It's a fairly one-dimensional beer that is heavy on the bourbon sweetness and barrel notes. Certainly not terrible at all, it's in fact quite flavourful.
M- Medium body, lower in carbonation, slick and still a very hot finish.
O- A hard one for me to drink only because I don't enjoy it as much when the bourbon overwhelms everything in the base beer. I can definitely see how some people can really enjoy this, but it's really not for me.
★ 848 characters
4.57/5 rDev +6.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Much thanks to egajdzis for this...
'09 bottle
Appears a murky russet brown with a small, off white head that quickly fades away.
Smell is of caramel, vanilla, bourbon, notes of fruit, and hints of cacao beans.
Taste is of the aromas with a sweet vanilla, creme brûlée blast. Bits of bourbon come through but are restrained.
Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, with a mild heat lingering.
★ 387 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Much thanks to egajdzis for this...
'09 bottle
Appears a murky russet brown with a small, off white head that quickly fades away.
Smell is of caramel, vanilla, bourbon, notes of fruit, and hints of cacao beans.
Taste is of the aromas with a sweet vanilla, creme brûlée blast. Bits of bourbon come through but are restrained.
Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, with a mild heat lingering.
★ 387 characters
3.47/5 rDev -19.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
10% ABV confirmed. 1 pint 9.4 fl oz brown glass (black glass?) 2012 vintage bottle with fancy gold label and black foil-ed over unbranded pry-off pressure cap acquired at Alesmith and served into an Odell stem-tulip in me friend's gaff in high altitude Fort Collins, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are very high given the brewery and style - "Scotch-style ale aged in bourbon barrels."
Served cold - straight from the fridge - and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.
A: No bubble show forms as it's poured.
Pours a 1.5 finger wide head of khaki colour. Nice creaminess and thickness. Fairly even consistency. Little albeit even lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head recedes. Head retention is above average - about 3-4 minutes.
Body colour is a solid opaque dark black. No floating yeast particles/sediment is visible.
It's about what I'd expect for a bourbon barrel wee heavy. It's not unique or special, but I'm optimistic given the brewery.
Sm: Nice bourbon notes - mainly vanilla, with some oak as well. It's not the rich toasty oak I love, but it's passable. Dark malts. Toffee. Caramel.
I'm surprised at its simplicity given the brewery. There just isn't much complexity in the aroma. I'm optimistic the taste will be better.
No hop character or alcohol is detectable.
A pretty standard wee heavy aroma of mild to moderate strength.
T: Dark malts, toffee, caramel, and bourbon notes - vanilla and some oak, but no toasty character. I don't find any roasted barley notes. It's a bit too boozy, even aged.
Decent complexity. Not real subtle, intricate, or nuanced. Depth of flavour is disappointingly average. Average duration and intensity of flavour.
It's balanced, I guess. Certainly not a gestalt build.
A great wee heavy - especially a bourbon barrel aged wee heavy - offers so much more than this. There just isn't enough going on, nor is there enough subtlety.
Mf: Too heavy on the palate. Too thick and full-bodied. It's got too much weight. The presence on the palate is a bit overbearing. Smooth and wet. Could be creamier, and certainly softer. It's imposing, but suits the flavour profile decently well. The texture certainly doesn't feel custom-tailored to the taste.
Not oily, astringent, gushed, hot, boozy, or harsh.
Dr: Something of a sipper. I'm glad I have a friend to help me finish the bottle, as quality as it is. The 10% does hit you. I wouldn't buy this again at its high price point, but it's nice enough. I'd much sooner stick with Backwoods Bastard, or even plain ole Old Chub for my wee heavy fix. This is an unreasonably priced beer from Alesmith that is worth trying once, but won't impress the discerning drinker. The heaviness is its biggest flaws.
I was ready to love this, but it just didn't meet my expectations. I'm glad I only bought one bottle.
B/B-
★ 2,920 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 2.75 | overall: 3.5
10% ABV confirmed. 1 pint 9.4 fl oz brown glass (black glass?) 2012 vintage bottle with fancy gold label and black foil-ed over unbranded pry-off pressure cap acquired at Alesmith and served into an Odell stem-tulip in me friend's gaff in high altitude Fort Collins, Colorado. Reviewed live. Expectations are very high given the brewery and style - "Scotch-style ale aged in bourbon barrels."
Served cold - straight from the fridge - and allowed to warm over the course of consumption. Side-poured with standard vigor as no carbonation issues are anticipated.
A: No bubble show forms as it's poured.
Pours a 1.5 finger wide head of khaki colour. Nice creaminess and thickness. Fairly even consistency. Little albeit even lacing clings to the sides of the glass as the head recedes. Head retention is above average - about 3-4 minutes.
Body colour is a solid opaque dark black. No floating yeast particles/sediment is visible.
It's about what I'd expect for a bourbon barrel wee heavy. It's not unique or special, but I'm optimistic given the brewery.
Sm: Nice bourbon notes - mainly vanilla, with some oak as well. It's not the rich toasty oak I love, but it's passable. Dark malts. Toffee. Caramel.
I'm surprised at its simplicity given the brewery. There just isn't much complexity in the aroma. I'm optimistic the taste will be better.
No hop character or alcohol is detectable.
A pretty standard wee heavy aroma of mild to moderate strength.
T: Dark malts, toffee, caramel, and bourbon notes - vanilla and some oak, but no toasty character. I don't find any roasted barley notes. It's a bit too boozy, even aged.
Decent complexity. Not real subtle, intricate, or nuanced. Depth of flavour is disappointingly average. Average duration and intensity of flavour.
It's balanced, I guess. Certainly not a gestalt build.
A great wee heavy - especially a bourbon barrel aged wee heavy - offers so much more than this. There just isn't enough going on, nor is there enough subtlety.
Mf: Too heavy on the palate. Too thick and full-bodied. It's got too much weight. The presence on the palate is a bit overbearing. Smooth and wet. Could be creamier, and certainly softer. It's imposing, but suits the flavour profile decently well. The texture certainly doesn't feel custom-tailored to the taste.
Not oily, astringent, gushed, hot, boozy, or harsh.
Dr: Something of a sipper. I'm glad I have a friend to help me finish the bottle, as quality as it is. The 10% does hit you. I wouldn't buy this again at its high price point, but it's nice enough. I'd much sooner stick with Backwoods Bastard, or even plain ole Old Chub for my wee heavy fix. This is an unreasonably priced beer from Alesmith that is worth trying once, but won't impress the discerning drinker. The heaviness is its biggest flaws.
I was ready to love this, but it just didn't meet my expectations. I'm glad I only bought one bottle.
B/B-
★ 2,920 characters
4.56/5 rDev +6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle poured into a snifter.
10% ABV, "serve in a goblet at 50-55°"
A - The only difference between the dark purple-hued mahogany appearance of this beer and the non-barrel-aged one is the fleeting head. The bourbon clearly evaporates the foam quickly but dots of lace remain on the glass just the same.
S - Rich vanilla bean slit open engulfs sweet caramel and toffee notes which are all shrouded by smooth, warming bourbon and soaking wet oak staves. Give this beer a swirl and plenty of warming alcohol greets the nostrils with dark fruit essence in the background.
T - While I find AleSmith's Wee Heavy to be lacking in any forward flavor, the barrel-aged version's bourbon seems to pull the malt complexity from the depths, really introducing a nice blend of caramel and toffee sweetness that was just to distant before. Vanilla tannins and oak compliment the barrel with a kiss of alcohol warmth on the finish.
M - AleSmith's barrel-aging adds nice warming alcohol to Wee Heavy's medium body for a smooth drinking experience that finishes with sweet vanilla and a touch of thinning bourbon to even the playing field.
O - Not always does barrel-aging a beer make it better but it certainly does in the case of AleSmith's Wee Heavy. Good but uninteresting and frankly quite plain, the normal version of this beer features the same alcohol percentage hidden behind distant maltiness while the barrel-aged version features forward alcohol (at the same percentage) that manages to bring out it's underlying maltiness. Caramel, toffee, and dark fruit are more apparent in the face of bourbon barrel-induced vanilla, oak, and, well, bourbon, and all conglomerate for a party in the mouth that's quite extraordinary but not quite worth the $40 price tag. AleSmith's barrel-aged Wee Heavy is a fantastic beer but if I saw it on the shelves again at the same price I wouldn't think twice about passing on it.
★ 1,918 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
750 ml bottle poured into a snifter.
10% ABV, "serve in a goblet at 50-55°"
A - The only difference between the dark purple-hued mahogany appearance of this beer and the non-barrel-aged one is the fleeting head. The bourbon clearly evaporates the foam quickly but dots of lace remain on the glass just the same.
S - Rich vanilla bean slit open engulfs sweet caramel and toffee notes which are all shrouded by smooth, warming bourbon and soaking wet oak staves. Give this beer a swirl and plenty of warming alcohol greets the nostrils with dark fruit essence in the background.
T - While I find AleSmith's Wee Heavy to be lacking in any forward flavor, the barrel-aged version's bourbon seems to pull the malt complexity from the depths, really introducing a nice blend of caramel and toffee sweetness that was just to distant before. Vanilla tannins and oak compliment the barrel with a kiss of alcohol warmth on the finish.
M - AleSmith's barrel-aging adds nice warming alcohol to Wee Heavy's medium body for a smooth drinking experience that finishes with sweet vanilla and a touch of thinning bourbon to even the playing field.
O - Not always does barrel-aging a beer make it better but it certainly does in the case of AleSmith's Wee Heavy. Good but uninteresting and frankly quite plain, the normal version of this beer features the same alcohol percentage hidden behind distant maltiness while the barrel-aged version features forward alcohol (at the same percentage) that manages to bring out it's underlying maltiness. Caramel, toffee, and dark fruit are more apparent in the face of bourbon barrel-induced vanilla, oak, and, well, bourbon, and all conglomerate for a party in the mouth that's quite extraordinary but not quite worth the $40 price tag. AleSmith's barrel-aged Wee Heavy is a fantastic beer but if I saw it on the shelves again at the same price I wouldn't think twice about passing on it.
★ 1,918 characters
4.31/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
From 750 mL bottle to Mikasa tulip glass
A: Deep, murky brown in color, a gentle pour yields a fluffy 2-inch head that dissipates surprisingly quickly, leaving scant lacing.
S: The bourbon notes are at the front of the bouquet, yielding a distinct butterscotch bent. These are pleasantly surrounded by notes of toffee, honeyed multi-grain bread, dried fruits and boozy warmth. Big and bold but singular and pleasant.
T/M: More complex than the nose, the flavors start again with the bold bourbon notes, but these are more candied and buttery than burning. A rich, smooth, almost milky complexion supports the satisfyingly sweet aspects, which are nicely contained by notes of drying wood and alcohol warmth. The flavor profile is big, but never splashy or discordant. And as malty as the brew is (typical of the style), it's never treacly. Finishes long and sweet, with subtle residue coating the palate.
The beer equivalent of comfort food. Its rich, velvety texture and satisfyingly sweet undertones are nice way to relax with a beer before bed.
★ 1,053 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.25
From 750 mL bottle to Mikasa tulip glass
A: Deep, murky brown in color, a gentle pour yields a fluffy 2-inch head that dissipates surprisingly quickly, leaving scant lacing.
S: The bourbon notes are at the front of the bouquet, yielding a distinct butterscotch bent. These are pleasantly surrounded by notes of toffee, honeyed multi-grain bread, dried fruits and boozy warmth. Big and bold but singular and pleasant.
T/M: More complex than the nose, the flavors start again with the bold bourbon notes, but these are more candied and buttery than burning. A rich, smooth, almost milky complexion supports the satisfyingly sweet aspects, which are nicely contained by notes of drying wood and alcohol warmth. The flavor profile is big, but never splashy or discordant. And as malty as the brew is (typical of the style), it's never treacly. Finishes long and sweet, with subtle residue coating the palate.
The beer equivalent of comfort food. Its rich, velvety texture and satisfyingly sweet undertones are nice way to relax with a beer before bed.
★ 1,053 characters
4.41/5 rDev +2.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from Jeff. Thanks a million! Poured to snifter/tulip thingy deep dark brown with hints of reddish amber at the edges. Half finger caramel colored head that recedes shortly thereafter. Aroma of big biscuit, lots of nuttiness, toffee, vanilla, oak, whiskey booze. Oh man. Flavor is big whiskey and nuttiness with an excellent sweet-bitter balance. Finishes with a nice toffee vanilla caramel sweetness that lingers. Just a bit of heat on the way down. Thick but carbonation is adequate. So glad I got to try it finally. Awesome BA beer, though I might a really like the regular version a tad better. Alesmith continues to impress. PS-This went amazingly with a chunk of cheddar cheese!
★ 690 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Bottle from Jeff. Thanks a million! Poured to snifter/tulip thingy deep dark brown with hints of reddish amber at the edges. Half finger caramel colored head that recedes shortly thereafter. Aroma of big biscuit, lots of nuttiness, toffee, vanilla, oak, whiskey booze. Oh man. Flavor is big whiskey and nuttiness with an excellent sweet-bitter balance. Finishes with a nice toffee vanilla caramel sweetness that lingers. Just a bit of heat on the way down. Thick but carbonation is adequate. So glad I got to try it finally. Awesome BA beer, though I might a really like the regular version a tad better. Alesmith continues to impress. PS-This went amazingly with a chunk of cheddar cheese!
★ 690 characters
4.39/5 rDev +2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark cola color with a dense light sandy head. Short retention that leaves just some surface bubbles after less then a minute.
Robust aromas of bourbon, caramel, and butterscotch. Root beer. Dates. Vanilla.
Heavy on the bourbon flavors without the heat. Oak, vanilla, and toffee. Again with the butterscotch and dates.
Mouthfeel is extremely smooth and it's amazing how they were able to extract the bourbon flavors with barely any heat.
This is a fantastic BA scotch ale. Scotch ales are a perfect match for barrel aging, in my opinion, and this one nails it.
2012 bottle.
★ 582 characters
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Dark cola color with a dense light sandy head. Short retention that leaves just some surface bubbles after less then a minute.
Robust aromas of bourbon, caramel, and butterscotch. Root beer. Dates. Vanilla.
Heavy on the bourbon flavors without the heat. Oak, vanilla, and toffee. Again with the butterscotch and dates.
Mouthfeel is extremely smooth and it's amazing how they were able to extract the bourbon flavors with barely any heat.
This is a fantastic BA scotch ale. Scotch ales are a perfect match for barrel aging, in my opinion, and this one nails it.
2012 bottle.
★ 582 characters
4.9/5 rDev +14%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Reviewed blind, thanks to Stupac2...
A: This beer pours a dark murky brown with even darker hues throughout. I guess you’d call this cola colored. There is one full finger of khaki colored head that seems to fade in a perfectly reasonable amount of time. Very little lacing as it drinks.
S: The nose is excellent. I get tons of caramel, some solid vanilla, a nice helping of bourbon-y booze, and some peat. Mmm. Yup. Excited for this one.
T: Right up front I get a good helping of barrel treatment. The bourbon(?) is all flavor at first sip, as it mixes with caramel. It gets a touch sweeter in the middle with vanilla beginning to round the beer out. As it progresses, I get some peat and burnt caramel. It’s like this beer was sitting in a charred barrel. I dig it. The finish is smooth and sweet and not as hot as I would have expected. Really nice.
M: Full bodied beer. It starts off hot and sweet, coats the palate, and finishes silky smooth. Nothing lingers for too long, making me want to keep taking sips at an escalated pace.
O: Great beer. The barrel treatment on this one is perfect, and it really adds to the flavor profile of the beer. I would drink this beer any day of the week.
★ 1,202 characters
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 5
Reviewed blind, thanks to Stupac2...
A: This beer pours a dark murky brown with even darker hues throughout. I guess you’d call this cola colored. There is one full finger of khaki colored head that seems to fade in a perfectly reasonable amount of time. Very little lacing as it drinks.
S: The nose is excellent. I get tons of caramel, some solid vanilla, a nice helping of bourbon-y booze, and some peat. Mmm. Yup. Excited for this one.
T: Right up front I get a good helping of barrel treatment. The bourbon(?) is all flavor at first sip, as it mixes with caramel. It gets a touch sweeter in the middle with vanilla beginning to round the beer out. As it progresses, I get some peat and burnt caramel. It’s like this beer was sitting in a charred barrel. I dig it. The finish is smooth and sweet and not as hot as I would have expected. Really nice.
M: Full bodied beer. It starts off hot and sweet, coats the palate, and finishes silky smooth. Nothing lingers for too long, making me want to keep taking sips at an escalated pace.
O: Great beer. The barrel treatment on this one is perfect, and it really adds to the flavor profile of the beer. I would drink this beer any day of the week.
★ 1,202 characters
3.81/5 rDev -11.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another big thanks to Kevin R for bringing all of the rare AleSmith goodies to our tasting. The BA Wee Heavy pours a deep, depp ruby red and brown-tinted color with translucent edges and a center that's so dark-hued that it's impossible to make out what's on the other side. The head fades quickly, is light tan in color, and leaves no lacing behind.
The first whiff contains a deep, syrupy, dark-fruit sweetness that jumps out and sifts through my nostrils pretty pungently. Huge mounds of bourbon and oak bump from front to back; their inclusion is much too forward to simply be called a "background". Sticky sweet brown sugar and a light cocoa dusting finish things off.
From the aroma alone, this beer could pass as a barrel aged barley wine, because some of the typical barley wine, dark fruit and brown sugar sweet notes are present, and the bourbon and barrel are large enough obliterate any other aromas that would indicate that this beer in indeed a wee heavy or Scotch ale style.
Each sip pounds your senses with a one-two combo of bourbon and booze-soaked oak. Heavy heat from the bourbon, a little more than just "warming", even. The alcohol heat offset it attempted by some syrupy, sweet prune-like fruits that wave throughout the background. Light anise, licorice-y, and some burnt toffee.
It's a clashing of sweet and burn, and to be completely honest, I'm not incredibly fond of either of the two when they're presented in amounts this large. In essence, they balance each other out, yes... but they could both stand to be toned down just a bit. It's pretty damn sweet and it's quite hot and barrel-y. Huge, sticky, and creamy mouth feel with a mild carbonation that works for the stature of the brew.
I feel like if this was done with a lighter wee heavy and less barrel aging time, I would have enjoyed it much more. It's certainly a delicacy; sweet, savory, boozy - a slow sipper and a night cap all the way. But I can't help but feel like it's unnecessarily overdone and it would benefit from curbing some of the intensity just a little bit. Still a very, very solid brew, though.
★ 2,106 characters
look: 3.75 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Another big thanks to Kevin R for bringing all of the rare AleSmith goodies to our tasting. The BA Wee Heavy pours a deep, depp ruby red and brown-tinted color with translucent edges and a center that's so dark-hued that it's impossible to make out what's on the other side. The head fades quickly, is light tan in color, and leaves no lacing behind.
The first whiff contains a deep, syrupy, dark-fruit sweetness that jumps out and sifts through my nostrils pretty pungently. Huge mounds of bourbon and oak bump from front to back; their inclusion is much too forward to simply be called a "background". Sticky sweet brown sugar and a light cocoa dusting finish things off.
From the aroma alone, this beer could pass as a barrel aged barley wine, because some of the typical barley wine, dark fruit and brown sugar sweet notes are present, and the bourbon and barrel are large enough obliterate any other aromas that would indicate that this beer in indeed a wee heavy or Scotch ale style.
Each sip pounds your senses with a one-two combo of bourbon and booze-soaked oak. Heavy heat from the bourbon, a little more than just "warming", even. The alcohol heat offset it attempted by some syrupy, sweet prune-like fruits that wave throughout the background. Light anise, licorice-y, and some burnt toffee.
It's a clashing of sweet and burn, and to be completely honest, I'm not incredibly fond of either of the two when they're presented in amounts this large. In essence, they balance each other out, yes... but they could both stand to be toned down just a bit. It's pretty damn sweet and it's quite hot and barrel-y. Huge, sticky, and creamy mouth feel with a mild carbonation that works for the stature of the brew.
I feel like if this was done with a lighter wee heavy and less barrel aging time, I would have enjoyed it much more. It's certainly a delicacy; sweet, savory, boozy - a slow sipper and a night cap all the way. But I can't help but feel like it's unnecessarily overdone and it would benefit from curbing some of the intensity just a little bit. Still a very, very solid brew, though.
★ 2,106 characters
4.63/5 rDev +7.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A+
750ml into a large wine glass. Pours a deep ruddy walnut, encouraging pour needed for a light mocha color head which subsided quickly, no lacing.
WoW, delicious
how much better can caramel toffee butterscotch vanilla coconut wood bourbon blend than this ?
intoxicating
Appropriately medium heft lifeless silken mouthfeel.
The flavor is what I wrote of the scent, exactly as predicted
flawlessly
aftertaste till tomorrow, the tiniest sips revel the entire flavor intensely
as much a barleywine
an epic iconic flawlessly defined wee heavy
this is the pinnacle
cheers
jd
★ 576 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
A+
750ml into a large wine glass. Pours a deep ruddy walnut, encouraging pour needed for a light mocha color head which subsided quickly, no lacing.
WoW, delicious
how much better can caramel toffee butterscotch vanilla coconut wood bourbon blend than this ?
intoxicating
Appropriately medium heft lifeless silken mouthfeel.
The flavor is what I wrote of the scent, exactly as predicted
flawlessly
aftertaste till tomorrow, the tiniest sips revel the entire flavor intensely
as much a barleywine
an epic iconic flawlessly defined wee heavy
this is the pinnacle
cheers
jd
★ 576 characters
3.84/5 rDev -10.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This poured to a deep and dark brown with minor head, leaving nearly no lace. The smell made up for that, simply intoxicating mix of malt, bourbon, and sugar.
When tasted this one came up a bit short, leaving me wanting the full flavor and body of the usual Wee Heavy. This is not a bad beer, mind you, but the standard Alesmith Wee Heavy does set a high bar. I have always appreciated a booze hot mouthfeel, but this one comes out light. Again, not a bad beer, but I am not sure it is an improvement upon the original. A barrel does not universally lead to better!
★ 566 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4
This poured to a deep and dark brown with minor head, leaving nearly no lace. The smell made up for that, simply intoxicating mix of malt, bourbon, and sugar.
When tasted this one came up a bit short, leaving me wanting the full flavor and body of the usual Wee Heavy. This is not a bad beer, mind you, but the standard Alesmith Wee Heavy does set a high bar. I have always appreciated a booze hot mouthfeel, but this one comes out light. Again, not a bad beer, but I am not sure it is an improvement upon the original. A barrel does not universally lead to better!
★ 566 characters
AleSmith Wee Heavy - Barrel Aged from AleSmith Brewing Company
4.3
out of 5
based on 420 ratings.
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
2015 bottling
Appearance: Pours with a frothy khaki head that thickens as it settles atop the coffee colored liquid; stringy lacing patterns abound
Smell: Bourbon tones co-mingle with vanilla, toffee and caramel
Taste: Bourbon and toffee, with caramel and vanilla building, somewhat, through the middle; the finish lacks complexity and is dominated by the Bourbon, however
Mouthfeel: Medium to full body with moderate carbonation; would have expected a bigger, creamier mouthfeel
Overall: A nice beer but I was expecting something with greater complexity
Thanks, mabermud, for the opportunity
★ 604 characters