Vlad the Imp Aler "2009 vs 2011"

I just opened a Vlad 2009 and compared it with the bottling that is currently for sale. I was surprised, to say the least. Vlad was poured at the 2009 GABF and it was among my top 3 beers tasted; I loved it and couldn't stop talking about it. I was able to snag a few bottles, a few of which stayed in the cellar for future fun and curiosity.

I recently got several of the newly released bottles and which are marked 2011 (but I don't think released until the end of 2012...I may be wrong on this but the bottles are those that are currently being sold by Cascade).

So, let's compare! After all, what's the purpose of aging if we can't see the difference and then get all up in each other's face and discuss which one is better and why!

First issue is that my palate may have changed a bit the last few years. The flavor profile is very sweet and full of apples and apple vinegar. For me, the sweetness is almost overwhelming and not the "5" score I originally gave it years ago (although probably only recently posted in the "hads.") I confess I went back and lowered my score, relative only to the fact that perhaps my taste has changed, not the quality of the beer which is excellent. I still liked it, the new one, just not quite as much.

So, I then compared 2009 to 2011 (2013 bottles for sale) Big problem! They both tasted the same. No kidding; had I not known specifically which one I had poured into which glass (one a Duval the other a Cheekey Monk) I'd never have know which was which. I want to say the newer one was a hint brighter; but, truth be known, I think that may only be the conclusion since I new it was younger. I truly think that they taste exactly the same.

Anyone else have the same (or opposite) experience?

(I'm now pulling The Vine to see if the same thing will be true!)