Brews you ONLY like with some age on them

I feel WWS needs at least years on it to be worth drinking, and gets really good after 5 years.

 

Backwoods Bastard immediately comes to mind. Something happens over the course of a couple years that transforms this from a pretty good beer into an amazing BB scotch ale.

 

Dark Lord: 3 years minimum!

 

3-4yr old Orval.

 

Cuvee Van De Keizer Blauw- too much grape soda when it's fresh, needs a few years for that to calm down.

 

The biggest difference in aging for me is Expedition Stout. It turns from a boozy mess to a brilliant blend.

 

For me, Dark Lord all the way. The first time I tried it, it was a 2012 and I couldn't see why I would buy a $30 ticket and stand in line to buy soy sauce. Then I tried a 2009 and 3 days ago paid $30 for a ticket to stand in line to buy soy sauce.

 

On a related note, how do you review beers like these? Do you give a score based on the best age you've had it at? I'd give a 2 to fresh WWS but with a year or more on it I'd give 4+

 

Expedition Stout-- It totally changed
Brooklyn BCS-- Same
Founders RIS--- Not bad fresh, but really improves.
Stone IRS-- I enjoy it more when the bitterness fades.

 

Oh, I forgot, avery mephistopheles

 

Palo Santo is the best example of this for me. At 1-4 years it is phenomenal, and I don't care for it fresh.

 

I absolutely hated 120 when I had it fresh a couple years ago. I recently had one that I've been aging for a couple years, and it's just so much better.
Also, the first time I had KBS fresh, I found it to be way too bourbony. It's fantastic with a couple years on it, though.

 

FBS
Bigfoot

 

Expedition Stout (flavor change)
Bourbon County Stout (less heat)

 

Samichlaus

 

A tough call. In the past I have decided to review what was in front of me at the time, but give some historical context at the end to bring the whole thing together:
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/164/438/?ba=TongoRad

 

Stone IRS

 

When I reviewed WWS, I based my review on the best vintage, but included brief notes and rating on the others since I spent a week doing a 2006-2011 vertical.

 

I just had my first Old Curmudgeon and I thought it was pretty good fresh, does it really get a lot better with age? I am really excited if it does since I have a whole case to age!

 

I thought a year really helped it come together. Also thought it was great fresh but it was so much smoother at 1 year. Haven't gone beyond that point at this time