Side by side tasting of the 1991 and 2004 vintages on February 19th, 2008.
1991 Vintage Limited Edition - 275 ml. bottle - Purchased May ’07 at Blue Max in Burnsville, MN. Pour is ruby-brown, mostly clear with absolutely no head whatsoever. A few carbonation bubbles cling to the sides of the glass. Aroma of the caramel sweet malt, and some faint licorice, almost dusty spiciness in the background. The taste is immediately licorice and soy, quite strong and overwhelming. Really not much of the sweetness in here at all. The dusty dryness reappears during the finish. I was amazed at how much the body of this one had thinned. I am afraid this one was a it beyond its age for my liking. 7,4,6,3,13 (3.3)
2004 Vintage Limited Edition - 275 ml. bottle - Purchased May ’07 at Blue Max in Burnsville, MN. Pour is ruby-brown, mostly clear with a very small tan head which fades quite quickly. None of the carbonation bubbles that were visible on the 1991. Aroma is the same caramelly sweet malt expression as the 1991 - but is much fuller and more rounded. The 2004 also lacks the dusty licorice in the nose. Taste is sweet caramel (maple syrup) at the beginning, with licorice and soy in the middle, and finishes with a very rich honey sweetness. I get some dried fruit sweetness in the taste as well. Very good, though I felt the 1997 had more depth of character to it. Between the 1991 and 2004, I certainly preferred the 2004, though it did not seem to have the layers of flavor I remember from the 1997. 8,4,7,4,15 (3.8)


1997 Vintage Limited Edition - 275 ml. bottle - Purchased May ’07 at Blue Max in Burnsville, MN. Drinking in honor of Michael Jackson, who passed today. Pour is a garnet brown with a quarter inch tan head. Aroma is quite big, though not overpowering. Sticky sweet raisin malt and some muted licorice. The taste reveals more of the licorice, initially then moves into more of the malt sweetness. I pick up a bit of soy sauce in the back of the taste. There is no alcohol present in this at all. The flavors blend together nicely, and there is a gentle transition from licorice to slight sweet to the soy. Cellar stored, chilled for 60 minutes, poured into a white wine glass. Thank you Michael Jackson for your contributions to Beer and Whisky throughout your distinguished life and career. Thank you for setting me on my Beer Hunting journey through your writings and documentaries. You will be missed. 8,4,8,5,17 (4.2)

9.3 fl oz bottle Brewed in 2005 purchased at Lukas KCMO. Pour is initially somewhat hazy orange that went clear after a moment with carbonation and no head whatsoever. A few soapy bubbles clung to the edge of the glass. Aroma is malt sweetness, and earthiness. The initial aroma did not reveal much of the whisky. As it warms a touch, there is an absolutely great wood smokiness to the nose. Initial taste is big, with the sweet caramel candy malt to start, the peaty sea salt and woodiness of the whisky in the middle and a real long finish of butterscotch. I could not perceive any alcohol in this at all. Wonderful flavor transitions in this one and a really nice drink after a long week.

My thanks to Brewfiend for sharing. Excellent like all of their beers. Sweet aroma with sherry that promises a full flavored and heavy beer. Light alcohol in the aroma and flavor that in no way detracts from the quality. Very low carbonated, nearly still. Flavor is full of fruit and sugar, with a very light vinous character.