Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 9.5

The 4000th brew by this celebrated Seattle brewery - which calls for a special one, as was the case with the 1000th, 2000th and 3000th brews as well. Cheers to Martijn for sharing this gem at Proevertjesdag. Tiny-bubbled, open yet stable, yellow-beige head on a clear deep bronze robe with copper-red glow, a tad darker than average for any kind of barleywine. Aroma of Belgian chocolates, vanilla and indeed the bourbon behind it, oak, candied fig, madera, white port, pear syrup, dates, yellow raisins, 'boerenjongens', marzipan, toffee, cognac. Densely candied onset, sweet candied figs and cherries, Sultana raisins soaked in white rum, soft carb with full yet vinous mouthfeel - a tad sticky from the sugars, but not overly so, maintaining a relatively high degree of 'drinkability'. Layers of toffee, hazelnut paste and slight (milk) chocolate fill the middle, warmed by fortified wine-like alcohol more than actual bourbon - madera and port, but then indeed the bourbon does seep through, in all its vanillin glory, reinforced by oak. The wood brings tannins too, but everything remains smooth, sweet, candied, vinous and fortified wine-like in a thicker, toffeeish way, with a long, warming finish in which almonds, raisins and dates feature again. Slight nutty accents too, and then something brandy-like... This is one of those intricate, multidimensional barleywines that keep on giving, a thing of beauty to be savoured gently on a gloomy evening; feels very American, but at the same time, given its sweetness and maltiness, it does live up to its 'English barleywine' ambitions too - in fact I already guessed that before I knew it was even the intention. A masterpiece for sure so the very high scores here are completely deserved.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8.5 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 9

14th September 2025
Panda thanks to Cloin. Hazy dark brown beer, small bubbly tan head. Smooth palate, mildly dry, decent fine carbonation. Smooth malts, rich caramel and a little dark toffee. Alcohol spice in the mid as we move into smooth but rich bourbon soaked fruits. Touch of oak induced vanilla. Smooth finish leaves a long ripe fruity bourbon and vanilla linger. Wow. Nothing out of the usual here. It's a BBA BW after all but, bloody hell, does it do every element absolutely spot on. Gorgeous.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8.5 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Good depth, stewed fruits, dates, figs, toffee, brown bread, fruit cake. Moderate boozy kick, vanilla. Smooth. Very tasty.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8

Bottle shared a t craft beer junction bermondsey tasting. A clear mahogany brown coloured pour with a halo of light tan head. Aroma is semi sweet, oaky vanilla, white grape, oaky, brown sugars. Flavour is composed of, big oaky, vanilla bourbon brown sugars. Palate is semi sweet, oily, spicy. Super rich.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8.5 | Flavor - 8.5 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 8.5

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Poured from the tap @ MBCC 2023 red session (finally adding my notes). Dark brown with small beige head. Caramel malt, very enjoyable.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8.5 | Flavor - 9.5 | Texture - 9 | Overall - 9

Ruby highlights in almost black beer; small tan rim. Tobacco, chocolate, cigarleaf, dark raisins, vinous, parsley, green leaves. Raisins, raisins or plums on brandy, alcohol & fusels. Sweetened black chocolate, Weinbrand , spiced/peppered portwine, sweetened mole. Quite chewy, rich & viscous, mild carbonation. Alcoholheat. Long-lasting flavour of heated raisins in the aftertaste. Impressive barley wine - amongst the best in the genre!

Nu tijd om even te relaxen, filmpje op de buis,biertje erbij om te sippen. Prima zondagmiddag.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 9 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Dark amber colour, beige foam. Syrupy mouthfeel. Lots of dried fruit, marzipan, vanilla, raisins, dates, bourbon finish. Lovely sipper.

Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 8 | Flavor - 9 | Texture - 8 | Overall - 8.5

Bottle at the SHIG parachutes in with beavers to the Boise Crew tasting: Poured a black with a tan head. Aroma is boozy, rich roasted malts, chocolate. Taste is rich roasted malts, boosty, alcohol, toffee. Complex finish