Oak-Aged Stock Ale

12 ounce bottle into snifter, no bottle dating. Pours fairly crystal clear deep ruby red color with a 1 finger dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a small lacing cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a fair amount of streaming carbonation. Aromas of big raisin, prune, fig, caramel, toast, molasses, dark bread, oak, clove, herbal, floral, light roast, light vanilla, and yeast earthiness. Nice aromas with good balance and solid complexity of fruity/earthy yeast, dark malt, and moderate oak presence; with good strength. Taste of big raisin, prune, fig, caramel, toast, molasses, dark bread, oak, clove, light roast, light vanilla, herbal, floral, and yeast/oak earthiness. Fair amount of earthy oak spiciness and hop bitterness on the finish; with lingering notes of raisin, prune, fig, caramel, toast, molasses, dark bread, oak, clove, light roast, herbal, and yeast/oak earthiness on the finish for a while. Nice complexity and robustness of fruity/earthy yeast, dark malt, and oak flavors; with a nice oak flavor balance and no cloying flavors after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a smooth and moderately slick/tannic mouthfeel that is nice. Alcohol is fairly well hidden with only a small warming present after the finish. Overall this is a nice Old ale. Good complexity and balance of fruity/earthy yeast, dark malt, and oak flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the ABV; despite noticeable alcohol heat. A nicely enjoyable offering.