Apple Brandy Barrel-Aged Barleywine
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Bottle pour.

Nail polish remover and brandy. Plum, fig, oak, vanilla, toffee. Warming finish. Pretty solid other than the first note which isn’t super noticeable, but it threw me off at first.

 

 

750ml capped bottle. Snifter glass. Darker caramel brown body, half finger white head, fair retention, not much lacing. Smell is massive caramel, light amaretto and a bit of brownie batter, big barrel oak and vanillin. As it warms up, there is a bit more of that distinctly tart green apple (in a good way), has more of a sharper sweetness on top of the barleywine base. A bit less butterscotch on the palate than I'm used to, and has a bit thinner body than some of the other English barleywines out there- would still classify as medium in body. Smooth caramel, a light amount of toffee and amaretto, good barrel all the way through. Ultimately a bit thin for the style, appropriately carbonated.

Poured a slight reddish brown color with very little beige head. Aromas rich in raisins, vanilla, with a hint of tart apple. Some burnt caramel-like brandy hangs over, really dominating. The taste followed through with brandy soaked raisins and notes of amaretto, cherries, and brown sugar. Quite heavy but so smooth in the mouth. A booze bomb but with no alcohol burn, not even warmth. Overall, this is a delicious sipper, a must share. Between myself and another, that was the only beer we had that evening. It just attacked our palate, fulfilling our our tastebuds.