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Very clear pumpkin tinted copper color with a smallish softly firmed cap of light tan foam. Capping slips away quickly to a thin collaring and thinnly placed strings of minimal consistency.

Aroma is light to the nose with some chewy/gummy fruits that are melonish and dull. Some light notions of toffee, pear, apple, mint, and a whisp of medicinal cherry cough drops. Gains undesirably strong alcoholic phenols as it sits.

Taste is semi fruity with a sliding toffeish backing. Brimming warm tones abound and around a soothing malt profile of butterscotch, toffee, and lighter mixing raisin and fig. Delicately chewy in the fruits, doughy, breadish, and fulfillingly long in the finish with durably softened warmth, gradually darkening toffee, and pinches of brown sugar and oily mint. Nice finisher. Not much hops noticed here as the malts stay true to the English style. Perhaps a bit of tobacco breeze in the background under the mint. Akin to a great Scotch Ale without much cloying action. Quite nice.

Feel is smooth, silky, and warm. Very tender to the palate. Welcoming and nearly full, especially from midway to finish. Has a great crescendo in character. A very excellent sipper that grows and grows on ya. A definate showcase of the English variety Barleywine.

Served In: Pint Glass

A: Rusty Red hues. Scarce Head. Cloudy

S:No alcohol burn I expected. Brandy-like esthers with oak overtones

T:There's the burn, but smooth. Roasted Hops and Oak. Warming Caramel

M:Spicey on the tongue. Mellows as it warms

D:Great sipping Beer on a winter night.

Update
Tried again last night (12/03/08)
Holding up well. Hops have faded drastically to almost nothing. A bit thinner than I remember but still fantastic! I wish I had more.

Served In: Bottle

A - Pours a hazy bright orange colored body. Very little head to speak of, even on the pour. Starts with a slight skim on the surface and is now just a ring around the glass.

S - Big whiffs of caramel. Apples and pears. Bready.

T - Starts with some bittering hop presence. Lingers in the mouth for a bit. Then comes waves of caramel and toffee sweetness along with a slight alcohol bite. Brown sugar. Some dark fruit flavors with dates and raisins. Finishes with some more bitterness.

M - Medium to full bodied. Carbonation is a touch biting.

D - Good barleywine that has done well with aging. Recommended if you can find a bottle anymore.

Served In: Pint Glass