Looking for the next Thomas Hardy's

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by Brutaltruth, Jul 19, 2014.

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  1. Brutaltruth

    Brutaltruth Grand Pooh-Bah (3,539) Mar 22, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    For years I was fortunate enough to have MANY bottles of Thomas Hardy's ale. At 4.99 and 5.99 a bottle it was a continual treat for me. Sadly that beer is only available in history books or at an outrageous cost on the net. Can anyone tell me a great smooth barley wine that is close. I have had many but have yet to hit the mark. Just reviewed Jackie O's Brick Kiln and it has some great qualities for one of my favorite styles, yet it needs maturity. Any suggestions?
     
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  2. Casterbridge

    Casterbridge Savant (1,055) Mar 26, 2010 Connecticut

    J.W. Lees Vintage Harvest is in the neighborhood.
     
  3. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    J.W. Lees would be my first choice, too, followed by Birrifico Le Baladin Xyauyu. Sadly, there aren't too many non-BA English Barleywines that come close, IMO.
     
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  4. halo3one

    halo3one Initiate (0) Jun 6, 2014 Georgia

    The writer, right?
     
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  5. Brutaltruth

    Brutaltruth Grand Pooh-Bah (3,539) Mar 22, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    Named after---yes. "Soft and luminous as a..."...yeah...Thomas Hardy.....an EXCELLENT ale if you can get ahold of some.
     
  6. WTKeene

    WTKeene Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2013 New Mexico

    To call Thomas Hardy a barleywine is a bit of a misnomer here, primarily because your average barleywine can't hold up after 20+ years to the level that a Thomas Hardy can. Flavor profile is distinct as well. No one would confuse 10 year old Sucaba with 10 year old Thomas Hardy.
     
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  7. wesbray

    wesbray Initiate (0) Feb 29, 2012 Canada (AB)

    Samichlaus.
     
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  8. RockAZ

    RockAZ Pundit (983) Jan 6, 2009 Arizona

    Had the opportunity in 2006 to do ( an expensive ) vertical tasting with 16 different years of the TH. Oldest was 1968. Awesome.
     
  9. Brutaltruth

    Brutaltruth Grand Pooh-Bah (3,539) Mar 22, 2014 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah

    I envy you. How was the 68????
     
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  10. Matthew1788

    Matthew1788 Initiate (0) Feb 23, 2013 Ohio

    This.sounds.awesome.
     
  11. readyski

    readyski Pooh-Bah (1,557) Jun 4, 2005 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Have you tried each of those at 10? If so love to hear your notes
     
  12. WTKeene

    WTKeene Initiate (0) Jul 13, 2013 New Mexico

    I've had Thomas Hardy at 10, but Sucaba hasn't been around that long. But from what I understand Sucaba tends to fall off after just a few years. I will say that the closest approximation of 2004 Thomas Hardy, in March 2014, was 2013 Sam Adams Utopia. Lots of maple-type and fine liquor type flavors more than anything else. Tasting notes on the much older vintages (early 90s) seem to indicate that the flavors more closely resemble port, sherry and cognac than of anything else. I've purchased a 93 for my brother's 21st birthday next month, when I eventually split it with him (or after I acquire the 1992 for my own birth year) I will surely review it and make public my own tasting notes.
     
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  13. RockAZ

    RockAZ Pundit (983) Jan 6, 2009 Arizona

    The older ones were all like a thick dark rich malty bourbon or port, really blended well with some of the different Scotch bottles we had with it. Not a cigar smoker, but for sure all the oldest ones were made for it. Not much else to say, sorry I just don't have the right words to describe beers of this class, other than it was an epic night. Small bottle after small bottle with impossibly quaint labels appeared, and 2 oz pours. I took home an 80/81 at $35, who knows what they go for these days.
     
    #13 RockAZ, Jul 20, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2014
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  14. TongoRad

    TongoRad Grand Pooh-Bah (3,884) Jun 3, 2004 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Comparing Thomas Hardys to Sucaba is an apples-to-cheeseburgers comparison.

    Barleywines are about brewing; Bourbon Barrel Aged beers are about blending.
     
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  15. Gmann

    Gmann Pooh-Bah (2,463) Aug 13, 2006 New York
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I have about 4 2007 vintage TH ales aging. I've been waiting to do a decade age tasting of each one.
     
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  16. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    Agree. Let's try to keep barrel aged beers out of this discussion for once.
     
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  17. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

    I'm still sitting on some 2008 Hardy, but I've been drinking it for over a decade and have had it at over 10 years. Not only do I not not mind the oxidation, but I really think it adds to the flavor. Along with the bottle conditioning, of course, which is the linchpin of Hardy Ale. I can't say that about many other cellarable beers (e.g., Imperial stouts).

    That "oldness"--and the idea that you really are drinking something *vintage*--is what sets Hardy Ale apart. It's like having a beer from another time.
     
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  18. elektrikjester

    elektrikjester Initiate (0) Nov 15, 2008 Georgia

  19. RockAZ

    RockAZ Pundit (983) Jan 6, 2009 Arizona

    Found a review

    "1968
    The first vintage ever of Thomas Hardy’s is a kind of Holy Grail. Idealized and highly sought after. Those who have had the good fortune to taste it report, with understandable emotion, notes of crème brûlée, an articulated fruity flavour ranging from nuances of apples, apricots and currants, the vinous finish hint reminiscent of a good quality Port. The first sip is able to amaze with its silkiness, as well as with the warm notes of toffee, apricot liqueur and, again, Porto. A beer yet elegant, complex but balanced and able to ensure a truly memorable taste experience."

    Yeah, what he said,...
     
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