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750 ml bottle I picked up at Hop City in ATL last year. This is the 2007 vintage served up in a tulip. I believe this is the first offering from d'Achouffe I have ever had. Let's do this.

A: Pours a dark brown colored body. At the thickest part of the glass it is at its darkest, but as you branch out it gets lighter with more crimson red hues coming out. The body is pretty clear with a pretty lazy carbonation to it. Sadly, little to no head builds at the pour. Just a touch of white bubbles sit on top but they fade as soon as they show. No lace and no top cap. Meh.

S: After putting my nose on the tulip for a while, I am getting mostly a very spicy booze note. I guess it could be described best as a spicy rum aroma. Behind that I getting a nice orange note mingling in there. Candied sugars sweeten up that boozy quality. Things round out with a herbal/spicy quality that is nice and comforting.

T: Starts off with that nice Belgian quality of candied sugars. This shifts into an almost tart citrus quality. Definitely getting the orange peel and meat coming across. The flavor is not as boozy as the nose lets on, but it does have a nice herbal and spicy quality. Getting a light pepper note that moves more to a nutmeg and thyme flavor. Things round out with a little raisin and prune. Very tasty and well put together in the flavor profile.

M: Medium bodied with a light carbonation. ABV does have a slight warming quality to it on the back of the throat. Has a nice sugary quality. Things are a little sticky in the texture but it finishes pretty clean and dry. Aftertaste is all dark fruits and spice.

OA: Its nice indeed. It has that comforting Christmas quality to it but its not over the top at all. Everything is in good balance here, and I like that in my winter warmers. This wasn't overdone and it wasn't pushed into the novelty area that some Xmas/WW tend to seem to make it into. Good Stuff.

Served In: Tulip

Tall wine styled green 75cl bottle with a big cap and no cork. 2004 Edition - Deep dark mahogany cloud with a bloodish hue within. The perfect medium sized cap grows up quickly from the pour. Its dazzling soft whipped foam is very lovely and its color is lightly off-white with a slight sandy cover. Lacing is delicate and lasting in sheet lined dangling thick strings. One fine looking glass

Aroma is lightly perfumey and complexing with a dark tender fruity zip of dark berries, raisin, prune, orange zest, and starfuit. Larger then life sitting on top is one complex alcoholic spice with tinges of metallics, flowery vineous powder, pepper, thyme, and ethonalic-like heat.

Taste is nearly as complex with a simple, delicate, and firm display of dark grapes, raisin, orange, and dark candied sugar. Semi mild mid range spice and alcohol noted throughout. A bit peppery and floral. Almost minty with very microscopic tin tannins making the alcoholic warmth a bit earthy and softly dry.

Feel is finely carbonated and forward with a full body and fluffy, tingly texture. Dark, mildly fruity and malty; sugary soft and nearly doughy. Smooth overall and balanced with a great little additional spicy warmth and one greatly adorned quiet dryness.

Warming, soft, darkly sweet, and quite good and drinkable for 10%. A very nice Belgian brew. Recommended.

Served In: Goblet

Shared with Lordofthepale>

Pours a dark burnt amber with a thin white head layer on it. Smell is light malts with some sweet candi sugar to it. Really sweet flavorful brew. Deep fruit flavor carries the sweetness well. Nice malt overtone as well. Solid mouthfeel makes this one really easy to put back.

Served In: Pint Glass