Bitterness and harshness has faded a bit but the flavors, overall, aren't as strong. I'll stick with my original analysis, I like the regular Anti-Hero better. I still want to try the other iterations.

Super hoppy. Fresh IPAs are so much better. I'm lucky to have access to mega fresh world class IPAs. This one was very grassy and resinous. I expected more citrusy flavors. I think I like the regular Anti-Hero better but this is really nice. There are five to go.

Exceptional. This is in my top tier. Dripping with chocolate. Bourbon is present but a partner rather than a leader. Roastiness is in the background but I didn't mind it. Some stouts are sweet, and that's a quality they have to overcome according to my taste, this managed to be potent and (eventually) boozy without the sweetness. Add a pleasant viscosity and it's up into my favorites. Downsides: $20/bottle, 12.9%. Central Waters is outrageously efficient.

So, this takes 2 or 3 years of aging to get it where I want it. The bite is gone, the heat is gone, so smooth and rich. Tastes unmistakably like a barleywine, and an American barleywine at that, but so well integrated. One of the few worth the cellar space. Sigh, not quite Straightjacket but half the price.

Life.

This was a little more woody tasting earlier on but now the sweeter stickiness is coming out just like you want from a barleywine.

We all loved it. Highly carbonated. Loud pop when uncorked, I half expected a gusher. A healthy white head foamed up when poured. Smelled like rye whiskey. No mistake. Plenty of whiskey in the flavor, too. It had the nice spiciness of rye but also got more sweet as it warmed. Surprisingly "refreshing" at 12% when cold. Not syrupy or overwhelming. I'd like to taste the base beer so I can separate what came from the barrel and what came from the beer because it blended so well. I loved this. It's one of those where I think it's barely beer, but who cares?

Unfortunately this one had turned pretty far, I didn't want any more after the first sip. Parents still thought it was good until I opened the 2015, which had fared much better.

Bitterness and harshness has faded a bit but the flavors, overall, aren't as strong. I'll stick with my original analysis, I like the regular Anti-Hero better. I still want to try the other iterations.

Super hoppy. Fresh IPAs are so much better. I'm lucky to have access to mega fresh world class IPAs. This one was very grassy and resinous. I expected more citrusy flavors. I think I like the regular Anti-Hero better but this is really nice. There are five to go.

Overall I didn't care for this one. Smells like a foot. Not a sweaty, nasty foot, but still. Champagne like carbonation. Pleasantly sour, little flavor. Admittedly, I have no clue what they were going for but it didn't do anything for me.

Wow, finally, 6 months after bottling it's finally starting to taste right. That weird, hoppy? flavor has faded and it's sweet and boozy and carmely and buttery.

Something's wrong this year. Last year was as good as any barrel aged wee heavy on the market. This year has a bitter bite the destroys the carmely sweetness. Can't believe I bought so much this year instead of last year.

Bitterness and harshness has faded a bit but the flavors, overall, aren't as strong. I'll stick with my original analysis, I like the regular Anti-Hero better. I still want to try the other iterations.

Super hoppy. Fresh IPAs are so much better. I'm lucky to have access to mega fresh world class IPAs. This one was very grassy and resinous. I expected more citrusy flavors. I think I like the regular Anti-Hero better but this is really nice. There are five to go.

Bitterness and harshness has faded a bit but the flavors, overall, aren't as strong. I'll stick with my original analysis, I like the regular Anti-Hero better. I still want to try the other iterations.

Super hoppy. Fresh IPAs are so much better. I'm lucky to have access to mega fresh world class IPAs. This one was very grassy and resinous. I expected more citrusy flavors. I think I like the regular Anti-Hero better but this is really nice. There are five to go.

Smells better than it tastes. All kinds of tropical in the nose, but a relatively bland IPA flavor.

Like bourbon soaked cocoa powder. As good as I've ever had it.

It's nearly perfect. I wouldn't mind a little more viscosity but no complaints other than that. If it's truly 9.5% this is a marvel. And much better than the other 2016 batch. I can't remember which one I gave to Jen, I hope it was this one.

Wow. Chocolate much? So much richer than when fresh. Bourbon has mellowed a bit but more chocolate roast. Very, very nice.

Shared 3 ways, we each had a small pour. Drank with berries and cookies. I noticed more coffee flavors than I ever have with this brew. Holds up well against competing sour and sweet flavors. Best on its own, though.

Bitterness and harshness has faded a bit but the flavors, overall, aren't as strong. I'll stick with my original analysis, I like the regular Anti-Hero better. I still want to try the other iterations.

Super hoppy. Fresh IPAs are so much better. I'm lucky to have access to mega fresh world class IPAs. This one was very grassy and resinous. I expected more citrusy flavors. I think I like the regular Anti-Hero better but this is really nice. There are five to go.