Provides a dark brown color, a head a flat as a board with a heavy, but succulent sweet caramel, toffeish Crunchie chocolate bar nose. The palate is has soft caramel over laying strong brownies and a mildly bitter finishes with hints of chocolate and caramel.

At its best, it is very complex with notes of vanilla, chocolate, steamed milk, cherry, apple pie and brandy. Early editions were reminiscent of the classic 1995 Tall Ship No.1 . Since that beer has left us (well, not me, I stocked up), this is now Canada"s best barley wine.

1998 Vintage, aged 6 years - Dark red; slightly toasty, smokey and malty aroma. Rich brown sugar notes, depth of oily, maltiness. Fruity, and warm. This was the definitive vintage for this beer, and I hope Gary Lohin revives the recipe at his new brewery.

A 2000 vintage served 2 years old on cask was a little less complex, yeastier, and more mellow - I never had this one fresh so I won"t change my rating based on this.