500 ml bottle into snifter; 2013 vintage, bottled in early 2015. Pours fairly cloudy deep reddish brown color with a 1-2 finger fairly dense light khaki head with good retention, that reduces to a thin cap that lingers. Light spotty soapy lacing clings on the glass, with a good amount of streaming carbonation retaining the cap. Aromas of huge raisin, plum, fig, date, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, coconut, toasted oak, bourbon, light leather, and oak/toasted earthiness. Fantastic aromas with awesome balance and complexity of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel notes; with great strength. Taste of big raisin, plum, fig, date, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, coconut, toasted oak, bourbon, light leather, and oak/toasted earthiness. Light-moderate bourbon/oak spiciness on the finish; with lingering notes of raisin, plum, fig, date, caramel, brown sugar, toffee, vanilla, coconut, toasted oak, bourbon, light leather, and oak/toasted earthiness on the finish for a good bit. Incredible complexity, robustness, and and balance of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; with a great malt/oak spice balance and zero cloying flavors after the finish. Light-medium carbonation and medium-full bodied; with a creamy and lightly slick/sticky mouthfeel that is great. Alcohol is well hidden with only a light-moderate warmth lingering after the finish. Minimal booziness overall in aromas and flavors. Overall this is an absolutely incredible barrel aged old ale style. All around fantastic complexity, robustness, and balance of dark/bready malt, fruity yeast, and bourbon barrel flavors; and very smooth to sip on for the huge ABV. An insanely enjoyable and delicious offering.

2013 at Stein’s 2nd Anniversary! Dark fruit, molasses and alcohol combine smoothly on the nose. Rustic hazy brown with white head. Complex fruit and layers of malt - molasses, bread, dough. Alcohil is hidden behind the flavor but crept in as it warmed. Smooth sherry finish that is moderately dry for the alcohol. Wonderful.

2009 bottle thanks to Adam! Pours a cloudy brown with small beige head that diminishes to nothing. The aroma is apple skin, caramel, bourbon, and butterscotch. Slick mouthfeel, nice bourbon, vanilla, candy sugar, wood, lingering sweetness, really enjoyed this one.

2009 vintage. Among the best barley wines I’ve had. Pours clear mahogany with good head and lacing. Not so syrupy but thick. Smells like a lot of barrel on initial whiff but comes together with good balance afterwards. Some caramel, booze is well-hidden. Great stuff. Bottle pour at Churchkey -- thanks to Jackl for a taste of this.

Bottle. From notes. Boozy witha hint of oak. Bourbon, vanilla, brown sugar and dark fermented fruits. Awesome .

500 ml bottle received in trade. Thank you! Pours clear deep copper with a thin fizzy golden head that quickly dissipates without leaving any trace on the glass. Smell is intense, sweet, fruity and malty with caramel, biscuits, toffee, bourbon, tons of raisins but also figs and dates, vanilla fudge, charred American oak, burning and tingling alcohol, caramelized almonds, roasted hazelnuts, coconut shells, brazil nuts, dried papaya, sweet dark bread, high quality sherry and hints of Christmas fruitcake. Taste is slightly sweet, tiny bitter, malty and fruity with sweet dark bread, raisins, figs, dates, bourbon, sherry, moist wood, vanilla fudge, toffee, brazil nuts, caramelized almonds, hay, alcohol and biscuits. Mouthfeel is tiny round, boozy, slightly dry and medium bodied. Finish is tiny sweet, tiny bitter and slightly fruity tart with caramel, vanilla fudge, moist wood, raisins, dates, hay, charred wood, roasted nuts, sherry and hints of tart cherries and dry sparkling wine. Amazing smell supported by a great taste. Only thing I feel is lacking is a rounder smoother mouthfeel.Actually rolling the beer around in the mouth a little really helps the mouthfeel. Very tasty...

From a bottle at the mark dine and tap in south bend IN. Vintage 2009. Pours a hazy dark brown with a thin, quickly disappearing head. Sweet caramel aroma. Complex nutty flavor with muted sweet caramel and candy sugar. Warming alcohol finish. A really exceptional barley wine.