Crystal clear ruby tinted copper body with almost no head at all and a nice glow. Aroma of alcohol, raisins, pit fruits, oak, vanilla pods and a bit of scotch. Medium-bodied; Completely still (five years old) with a pungent alcohol, oak and vanilla flavour with a good amount of malt and a lot of sweetness still remaining. Aftertaste shows a lot of sugars, some pungent alcohol and a potent oaky and bittering flavour. Overall, a strong and potent beer that still holds up okay, not great after a few years. I sampled this twelve ounce bottle (bottled 09-November-2006), about five years ago [with proper cellaring] sampled today (to drink a beer from Washington) on September 11th, 2011, the ten year anniversary, after visiting the Pentagon, at home, two blocks south of the Pentagon.

Bottled. Copper, large, off-white head. Coffee and caramel in the nose... sweet cherryish in the nose as well. Sweet, slightly malty mouth... kinda plain.

Clear deep amber body with a small white head. Sweet caramel and vanilla aroma. Strong vanilla flavor with some light caramel and a bit of a nutty background.

Bottle. Vanilla, caramel aromas, with a slightly sweet, caramel flavor. Pretty smooth, and nothing overly offensive about this winter beer.