Bb 01.2024. Magus, linnaseline, karamelline, alkohol, isegi viin, vanilje, röst. Ok, see viinane alko häirib.

Sweet, honey, vanilla, bourbon, booze, butterscotch, alcohol

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

13th September 2022
Almost opaque dark brown beer, small bubbly pale tan head. Smooth palate, a very light viscosity, reasonable fine carbonation. Whenever I see the Black Barleywine label bandied about, I expect to find some Impy masquerading as a Barleywine. Happily no such frustrations here. There is a trace of chocolate in here but it's a barleywine through and through and one that only exists to deliver it's rather splendid barrelling. Smooth malts, a nice level of creamy sweetness and just a touch of caramel. Big bourbon but so smooth and rounded and ripe fruity as well. Next to no alcohol spice or heat. A little soft vanilla oakiness is the cherry on this sumptuous cake. Yeah, it's not the most complex of barleywines but what it delivers it delivers in spades.

The last of this festival is also the last LCI. Quite heavy beast of a beer, feels like more than 11%. Barrel ageing is a bit stronger, but still pretty well balanced. Boozy, rich, malty, some dried fruit, and bourbon. Quite nice.