Thomas Hardy's Ale (2003 - 2008)
(has 6 batches)
Hanlons Brewery in Exeter, Devon, England 🏴
Traditional Beer - Old Ale Regular Out of Production|
Score
7.92
|
|
Scarce, subtle and complex, Thomas Hardy’s Ale is the beer enthusiast’s equivalent of rare cognac. Bottle-conditioned to mature in the bottle like fine wine, this old ale/barley wine will improve with age for at least 26 years (and we’re still counting!). Not for the faint of palate, especially when young and brash, maturity brings an elegance of flavors unmatched by any other beer—if you have the patience to cellar it for at least a decade.
Sign up to add a tick or review
7.8/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 9
Bottle (vintage 2005): A bit unclear, deep ruby-amber coloured, no head to speak of; rich sweet-vinous fruitiness (cherries, blackcurrant) in the aroma, not far from a Port; full seet flavour, full bodied; warming alcohol in the long sweet finish, ending with traces of chocolate and dry hops in the aftertaste. A good Port, made of barley.......
Tried
from Bottle
on 24 Mar 2008
at 10:51
8.4/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 8.5
2006 bottle # P 20273. Small head with medium duration. Color is brown. Aroma is vinous with plums and raisins. Taste is plums, raisins, alcohol and lots of licorice in finish. Thick and wonderful mouthfeel.
Tried
from Bottle
on 23 Mar 2008
at 13:55
7.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
Dark reddish colour with no head.Smells of prune and raisins.Taste is also of prune sirup feels really warming and well balanced.Bottel 42593.Best Barley wine i guess.
Tried
on 23 Mar 2008
at 03:42
8.4/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
2005 8.5 oz bottle (No P 18668) from iowaherkeye; cloudy brown with about 1/3 of the surface covered with beige bubbles and the rest having very tiny bubbles rising for a few seconds; Nose of toffee, raisins, and dark brown sugary sweetness; flavor of sweet raisin pie, caramel, and the sweet taste of the iron supplement we gave my son Enniskillen as a baby and I took as a child; a pleasant medinciney taste.Finish is sweet, no alcohol!
Tried
from Bottle
on 17 Mar 2008
at 22:20
7.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8.5
2007 bottle marked at 11.7% (bottle no. 49623). Pours like syrup with no sign of carbonation whatsoever. Amber-reddish color that is opaque with lots of sediment. Some alcohol legs left on the glass. Aroma has Madiera qualities in it, combining brown sugar, toffee, yeast, dates, and a hint of licoricce (and alcohol upon agitation). No carbonation, tastes like a weak sherry with some brown sugar poured in. No bubbles, just a syrupy texture and some non discreet alcohol warming. I am not sure just how long this will age ad it already seems a bit oxidized. Quite yummy overall.
Tried
from Bottle
on 12 Mar 2008
at 13:14
8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 8
Texture 8
Overall 8
2007 vintage, bottle # Q19309. My 750th rating: Tawny brown with no head; rich, heady, aroma, with tropical fruits, honey and vanilla; similar flavours but with a complex nutty, malty base underneath; and warming alcoholic tones; sticky sweet finish, but also with a surprisingly intense bitterness; leaving a pleasant warming feeling.
Tried
from Bottle
on 08 Mar 2008
at 18:12
7.9/10
—
Appearance 6
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 8
Overall 7.5
2007 bottle Q11560 from LCBO. A dark reddish brown ale with almost no head, off white, light carbonation. Aroma is pungent, caramel, molasses, with light licorice and cognac. In mouth, a sweet burned caramel with light lactic points, woody, chocolate and licorice. Warming alcohol warms you up. Very rich and heavy. A classic BW. Room temperature in chalice.
Tried
from Bottle
on 20 Feb 2008
at 21:09
5.2/10
—
Appearance 4
Aroma 7
Flavor 5
Texture 6
Overall 4
This ale poured a murky brown colour similar to sewage. The head was lacking and what there was, was soapy bubbles. To the nose there was scents of cider, ripe fruit, alcohol, cherries and brown sugar. First taste was smooth and warming. With flavours of over-ripe fruit, alcohol, wine and brown sugar. Finnish is warming and slightly bitter with apple sauce flavours lingering.
Tried
on 14 Jan 2008
at 20:31
8.8/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 8
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 9
2005 vintage - P34896 - aged 3 years. Pours deep, clear garnet into a snifter. Off-white head quickly recedes to pancake surface and hug rim. Pit fruit, raisin and cinnamon aromas. Thick butterscotch upfront with and a lasting rum-raisin alcohol burn.
Tried
on 08 Jan 2008
at 19:06
8.2/10
—
Appearance 8
Aroma 7
Flavor 9
Texture 10
Overall 8
Bottle shared by Marcus. 2004 (#P78341). Aroma very like Loterbol Bruin, with perhaps a tinge of grape or raisin. Color is nicely brown with very little head. Near medium body with mild, mild carbonation. The flavor is vinous and mild darkish fruits. Very smooth finish - something like sherry. Delicious.
Tried
from Bottle
on 02 Jan 2008
at 19:39