Spring 2004 bottle. Wow!!! What a beer. Very excited to rate this one. On the pour, my biggest complaint is the obvious filtration. Mostly clear ruby-mahogany, with some darker black/browns. Good dark cream colored head that sticks atop the beer. The aroma is quite peculiar. While not overly aromatic (the aroma dosent jump in your face), when you do take the time to sniff close to this stuff, it is about as complex and wonderful as a scotch ale has smelled to me. Dark black anise, molasses, light malted peat, rich but dry caramel, some other spices that I can’t name in there as well. Flavor however, goes a step farther with complexity. The black licorice is quite obvious and in the background a deep rich malt develops. At first I thought I detected smoked peat, but I never could find this flavor again, so I’m not sure. Spicy, rich, dark and wonderful. The malt is neither too sweet nor too dry. Intensely engaging on the palate. It has that anaesthetic property that you feel when you are drinking jagermeister. At the end of the glass, my tongue was slightly numbed. Some hazlenut in there as well, but very subtle. Flavor never thins, the body is medium to medium full and there is a moderate carbonation. This was a true gem and I’m glad I found this single bottle, because there were no more six packs of this to be found in the area. Highly recommended (take your time drinking this one). Drank this one only slightly chilled.