Charley Noble Whiskey Barleywine
Nøgne Ø

 

Bottle label describes this as an English barleywine, and it definitely is. This is a thoroughly European old-school barleywine, plenty of prune and leather, along with some pronounced smoke and suggestions of peat and iodine. I appreciate it being different from the sweeter, caramel- and vanilla-focused offerings more common these days.

 

Poured into a Fremont small snifter. Pours a very dark orange brown with little light transmission in the glass and a thin khaki head that dissipates to patches with light lacing. Aroma of dark toasted malt, whiskey, dark dried fruit, molasses and some oxidation, a bit boozy. Flavor is dark malt, whiskey, some peat, well dried dates, dark molasses, dry caramel and slightly astringent oak. Medium bodied with light to moderate creaminess. A dark, smoky barleywine that is whiskey forward. There is a clear peaty smokiness that tastes more like a mild Scotch than a whiskey, but adds a lot of character to the flavors. Fairly complex, but has some light oxidation flavors although its only a year old. Quite dry and deep, well dried fruit flavors. Although listed here as an American barleywine, it is much closer to an English style one with fruit and almost no hop notes. I liked this, but glad I drank it sooner than later because many of the flavors are typical of a well aged barleywine. The Scotch-like smoke is particularly welcome. I've always been a fan of Nøgne Ø and this is another nice strong ale from them. Glad to see them back on our market.

330ml bottle. Identified as bottle 4484 of 7000. Stamped on label is bottling date of '26.04.21' with best by date of '05.03.31'.
Dark brown colored body with a garnet red back lit edge. One finger of dark tan head. The residual foam follows just behind the surface as the beer is consumed.
Aroma of whiskey soaked dried fruit, with toffee and slight smoke.
Taste follows the nose with the whiskey sitting over the dried fruit and molasses. There is sweetness from the fruit and whiskey barrel. Settling to the bottom of the tongue is some char and smoke. The fruit and dryness from the smoke last longest in the aftertaste.
Very smooth medium mouth feel. Very little alcohol burn in the mouth, but the higher ABV% is felt quickly. Subdued but supportive carbonation.
With the smoke comes a dryness in the brew. Tastes like a barleywine, but is a slow sipper because of the higher ABV%.

330 ml bottle, from Vinmonopolet, Nettbutikken, shared with my son. ABV is 12%, IBU 50. Very dark brown to black colour, moderate beige head. Aroma of whiskey, molasses, fusel alcohols, oak, smoke and vanilla. Very sweet (too sweet) flavour, loads of molasses, and otherwise the same elements as the aroma, fairly distinct bittering hops in the finish. Kind of impressive, but I won't be Charley Noble's biggest fan.