Bottle, in a trade from Notalush, brewed in 2002, bottled in 2003, consumed on 10/6/06
Small beige head loosely clings to the liquid, though it forms quite a pile of froth on the edges. Moderate to poor retention on the head. The body is a dark brown-black with deep purple and magenta tints on the edges. Sediment left in bottle, though it still had only a medium to medium-low clarity.
Heavily vinous, oily nose suggests all manners of dark berries. Currants, plums (prunes), concord grapes, elderberries and what have you, with a sweet note of oxidation and light hints of toffee and butterscotch on the finish. Tartness collects on the front of the aroma, with some braised cacao and light licorice notes emerging as it warms. Never does it get very sweet, but just seems, well...old. Mossy/moldy and lightly dirty, it certainly seems like it might be true to the original. Some alcohol esters are perceived upon warming
Grapey oxidation and tart berry notes are somewhat softened by light chocolate and caramel suggestions that dry out significantly on the finish. Very low carbonation by now, but the beer is well-attenuated so at to prevent it from getting syrupy/overly thick. Notes of vanilla, acrid roast and tart vinousness are dominant. Very unexpected as an American-made beer, though Phil certainly aims for authentic. I think the grapiness is a bit overt by now, but I do like the tartness, bordering on sourness. And there really wasnt any heavy soy. Malt seems a little too attenuated for an old ale and thus some thinning occurs on the palate, combined with light alcohol dryness. Much more interesting than the new 10th anniversary old ale, however, as the lactic qualities abound but do not dominate.

Muddy amber colour. Very malty aroma, with some cherry. Strong alcohol presence interferes with the palate. Rich toffeeish malts abound, but without form nor complexity. Vague fruity notes are pleasant, but for a beer so reliant on the malts, I needed those to be better-extracted. It almost tasted like it was too old.

Dark amber with excellent lacing - musty, cellared aroma, with toffee, grapes and caramel - initial flavors introduce tartness, damp leaves (sounds odd, but that's the only way I can describe it) and earthiness - these gradually fade to reveal many layers of subtle complexity - sweetbread and various other pastries - toffee and chocolate - bananas foster - plums and brown sugar - finishes with the earthiness it starts with - this is a refined ale with a unique style that grows on you.

2002 Vintage: Copper colour, tan head. Sweet smell, definate hoppyness. Strong malt presence in the taste along with an adequate amount of hops. Musty flavours in the palate, some toffee as well. A pretty good 'Old Ale'! I had this one out of the same bottle with DougShoemaker given to us by Lyle Ostrow at Premier Gourmet in Buffalo, New York.