Appearance - 8 | Aroma - 7 | Flavor - 8 | Texture - 6 | Overall - 7.5

Draught at 3 Tides, 7/17/15
Small snifter is a deep mahogany/ebony blend with a small tan head that sits at cover. Intdeterminable clarity, though I’d assume it’s pretty bright, as most all their beers are.
Big buttery sherry nose is pretty enjoyable. Sweet and creamy with a deep, liquorous heat at the very end. Light black pepper, toffee, some ash and lingering vanilla-butter cream. I wouldn’t really call it boozy, as the alcohol seems quite controlled and works with the malts to balance, in the absence of hops. No wood tannin/astringency and no flaws.
Flavor is oily, buttery, lightly tart and with a strong iodine-like smokiness through the middle, must be the peated malt. Ashy and yet supple malts dry out the finish, in coordination with the alcohol. It’s certainly stiff and lightly boozy, with the sherry loosening up the body quite a bit. Still, can’t deny the old ale behind it is deliciously well-brewed. Not really my type of beer, but for moderation’s sake, I’d rather sip on one of these as a nightcap than a Oloroso.