(Bottle) (2021) (at Daniels) clear, fluorescent bright orange brown color with a small white head; aroma of dried figs, nuts, cognac; smooth palate; rich balanced flavor with a long, light bitter finish

Straight caramel

Sweet & malty with elements of barley, soy sauce, honey, caramel, pineapple, raisin, fig & molasses. Wonderfully complex. Incredibly long finish. Alcohol well controlled.

Bottle. 2019 Vintage - 28% A- Sherry, oak, vanilla, caramel, figs, sugared plums, subtle apple brandy. A- Dark copper color, clear liquid, no head. T- Gooey caramel, Madeira port wine, vanilla, sweet maple, raisins, subtle earl grey tea, subtle nuttiness, very subtle anise, oak, malty. P- Full body, slightly oily texture, no carbonation, complex finish. O- Had no idea I was going to have the opportunity to split a bottle of this from an unexpected grocery store trip on a random January day at the last minute. What a fantastic surprise timely with my 4,000th rating. This is definitely a liquor at least through the tasting experience side of things but hey, that's why it's loved right. Reminds me of a steroidal iced bock. I could contemplate the flavors in here all day. Many thanks to those involved in procuring this bottle. The best part was having it at a spur of the moment with good friends around a kitchen table. No fanfare, just pure enjoyment. Perhaps not as big of a whale as it once was, but still pretty damn special for me.

(Bottle, 2011 vintage, 27%) Dark brown colour, with no head. Malty, vinous, slightly roasted nose with notes of caramel, treacle, raisins, prunes, Madeira (or Port) wine and wood. Malty, vinous taste with caramel, burnt sugar, treacle, dark cherries, port wine, raisins, oak wood, toast, ashes, roasted nuts, well aged cognac, maple syrup, honey, tar, a touch of raspberry balsamic vinegar and a vinous, burnt sugar finish. Low bitterness. Full body, quite sweet. More like a brandy or a port than a beer. Despite the apparent booze presence, it's really tasty. Definitely a bit overprized, but seriously good beer. Excellent!

2015 bottle. Technically a beer, but unlike any beverage I've come across. Starts with a port-like vinous sweetness, then quickly develops a decadent middle, full of caramel, molasses, licorice, cinnamon, vanilla, and dried cherries. Grows boozy and rich, with deep notes of bourbon, cognac, baking spice, and oak, before finishing with a lengthy fruit cake and wood fade. Stunning, really, like an evolved barrel-aged barleywine, layers upon layers. Lingering alcohol never overpowers; I could sip this for days upon days. Doesn't quite pass the duck test if you're calling it a beer, but who cares. Worth the price. I'll put it back on the shelf and sample again and again. Thanks, Sam Adams.