Cinnamon-flavoured barleywine by Norwegian superstar Lervig, from their so-called Rackhouse programme, focusing on barrel ageing (in this case bourbon barrels); from a 37.5 cl bottle with crown cap covered in golden wax, at two months less than two years of age at the time of tasting. Thickly moussy, pale grey-beige, large-bubbled, audibly fizzing head, quickly reduced to a thin greyish ring and eventually completely dissolving over a (very) dark mahogany brown robe with misty burgundy edges. Expectedly intense bouquet of sharply alcoholic bourbon, strong vanilla-scenting oak in itself accentuated by the bourbon, clear cinnamon (powder), caramel candy, brown rum, hazelnut paste, beef stock, fig compote, cooked elderberries, nougat, medlar, hints of damp earth, dried orange peel, molasses, raisins soaked in brandy ('boerenjongens'), clove, damp autumn leaves, old leather. Sweet dark-fruity onset, lots of fig, cooked plum, medlar and ripe blueberry cut by a sourish aspect reminiscent of elderberries or blackberries, under prickly but very fine-bubbled effervescence; oily, essentially thick body, but notably thinned by alcohol. Caramelly and hazelnutty malts with nougat- and brown bread-like edges, remaining covered under a thick layer of dark sweet-and-sour fruit jam (blackberry, plum, pear, fig) and showing a brief moment of toasty bitterness in the end, right before the oak (with a lot of retronasal vanilla), bittering cinnamon and eventually alcohol from the bourbon take over, the latter disrupting the flavours a bit and becoming too dominant even for a barleywine of this strength. Spicy (cinnamon), caramelly- and nutty-malty and strong dark- and red-fruity flavours nevertheless withstand this heating wave of bourbon booziness. Going in too many directions and way too hot-boozy for my personal liking (and clearly a divider of opinions, seeing the ratings below), but still an interesting, ambitious and formidable barleywine, with this typical Lervig 'force' and boldness to it. Probably improves considerably with even more ageing on it (say, three to four extra years, perhaps?).

Tap @ Cardinal. Almost clear deep amber body under a small tan head. Aroma has dark malt and intense coconut. Taste is lice the liquid version of a Bounty bar with some alcohol sting. Fine body and long lasting aftertaste. Feels a bit funny to taste a novelty beer but end up rather one-dimensional. Great if you really, really love Bounty or coconut but not really great as a barley wine style beer.

Mørk brunsvart. Lukter røstet malt, karamell, kanel, vanilje og kokos. Fyldig og kjenner alkoholvarmen godt. Absolutt godt drikke😀

Can at hom, Nivala. 2020 Edition. Enjoyed straight from the can. Aromas and flavours: Chocolate, cardamom, cinnamon, ripe fruits, raisins.. lots of christmas spices.

Can 330ml @ yngwie nyttår 2020
Pours dark brown with a off-white head. Aroma has notes of malt, coconut, dried fruits and alcohol. Taste is heavy sweet and light bitter with a long warm, coconut, dried fruity and malty finish. Body is full, texture is oily, carbonation is soft.