An unclear dark brown beer with a disappearing brown head. The aroma is sweet - very sweet and quite powerful - with notes of roasted malt and even chili. The flavor is sweet with notes of caramel, chocolate, roasted malt, as well as light notes of alcohol.

Winter 03-04 bottle. Just pitch black. Some dark espresso/charcoal tinges on the edges. Opaque, bottle conditioned with a small, light tan creamy head. Smells of deep, dark prunes, figs and a moderate amount of malt (lightly chocolatey, some port wine hints). Lightly salty, a bit of bittersweet hops. Flavor is immediately big, thick and bold. Salty and malty, it has tons of dark fruit and malt. Medium sweet chocolate, vinous dark grape hints. Hops come out somewhat on the finish and there is a brief glimpse of bitterness, but it passes and the flavor lingers on in a lovely chocolatey/pruney way. I dont know how long they cellared this before releasing it, but it does not come off young for being just released. Balanced and no hints of thinning. This should age marvelously. Will hopefully develop some more interesting complexities, as it is a bit delinquent in that category. Wonderful example of the English style and superbly drinkable. 8/5/8/5/17
Winter 04-05 bottle Kind of disappointed here, this one grows less English this year. Lots more crystally, hard American malt feel to it, tons of caramel and definite American hops (though not overly bitter). My biggest complaint is that it loses the anise and black licorice that were so appealing in last year’s bottle. Gone is the port-wine like vinousness and in place is just another well-made ubiquitous American Barleywine. Too bad I sent my last 03 bottle to Denmark, hopefully Jacob likes it!. 7/5/7/4/14