Draft taster at RB, 1/31/08. Time to check it again, since by now this beast has aged for 9 months. A barleywine brown, with a flavor that’s come into its own. Fruitiness of apple cider and grape juice mixes with bourbon, vanilla, and a head-biting hop bitterness to stand with thick threads of bourbon and oak. This is in Bigfoot territory. original rating Nov 8, 2007 (6-4-8-3-15, total 3.6): Sampler at RB. Deep brown color, topped by a lighter brown head. Slightly citrus smell, like a Triple Sec. Taste has yer basic brown ale malts, highlighted with a bit of high-end fruit-flavored schnapps. Sniff of bourbon and vanilla, too. Smooth light bourbon texture, only aided by its fizz. Alcohol shows, but does not interfere. A very happy beer. A FoBAB silver medalist.