Sweet spot for the Abyss?

i had a 2010 and a 2011 on Christmas eve with my family. Both were fantastic, although I would give the nod to 2011 if you put a gun to my head. My father-in-law, a budding beer geek (if his wife allows him to have an opinion), kept pulling different flavors out of the beer. I think he was floored with the complexity and depth of flavors. Every time i came back into the room, he was yelling out "liquorice!" or "oak!". I think he was getting drunk.

 

I had 2014 about 6 months before the "best after date" - was too harsh for me. We did it with some other stouts and I preferred The Czar or Heresy to it. Bought some 15. Waiting till 2015 best after date to try side by side.

 

I thought the 15 was pretty good fresh, better than the last couple of years fresh. I think 1 year will be enough for the '15s

 

I agree. I had 14 fresh last year than recently aged 1 year and honestly preferred the fresh.