Bottle pour at the brewery, 9/13/23. Undetermined clarity. Dark raspberry-brown. Tan bubbles cluster in edges Alcohol alternating with strong whiskey as brown sugar inserts itself somewhat ingloriously in between. Maybe vanilla has exacerbated things. The malt is well-done, though, with low roast and a cacao-like character with light fudge and caramel. Very, very fruity yeast with less alcohol and sharp whiskey as it warms, surprisingly. Soft, chewy, lightly syrupy, not incredibly thick or anything, though very sweet for Hill, possibly one-upping the recent Aaron releases. No roast; this could almost be a barleywine. Vanilla is spicy, very flavorful, bourbon is very spicy, very flavorful. It's a difficult ask but I wish it were fuller, rounder, thicker and drier. Another year should help dull some of the sharpness and maybe dry some of the sweetness, but the loose texture on the finish is concerning. The heavily fruity, spicy, ebullient vanilla, bourbon and raisiny-chocolatey malt is a strong point here.

Bottle shared by Jeff, thanks! Pours near black with an earthy brown head that dissipates nearly completely. Aroma has earthy dark grains and roasted malts with a bit chocolate underlying. Flavor is chocolate forward with a bit of maple, sweet dark grains and roasted malts supporting.