Past its prime by this point, less than 18 months old. Not much chocolate left. I get bitter coffee and molasses finish. I'll have a 2017 soon to compare. At 1 year old this was still nearly identical to the fresh batch.

Smoother mouthfeel than the 2017 but coffee has dropped off significantly. I like the 2017 better already and I expect it to smooth out quickly as ot settles in the bottle.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

I like this vintage a little cooler. Surprisingly, that's where the barrel character comes to the fore. Less distinct and balanced as it warms. I experienced something similar with the BA Silhouette, so maybe it's my palate changing with all the big beers I've been drinking this winter. Really good when it's good, at those lower temps. Not refrigerator cold, but cooler than I typically drink by high gravity beers.

Kind of a mess right now, honestly. Boozy, harsh and thin. Carbonation overwhelms. Nice vanilla flavors but way too fresh at 8 days old. Should be nice later, though.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.

Disappointing, especially at the price point. Not much whiskey character. Had to warm up to near room temp before it smoothed out, that was unexpected. Maybe I should have drunk this young and there would have been more whiskey? It was quite pleasant once it warmed up, though. It had a rich flavor and mouthfeel. I'm not buying any more of this stuff, though. Too much money. The BA Old Stock ale was phenomenal but this was not worth it. I've heard people bash BCBS as overpriced but BA Rasputin is double the cost of BCBS and nowhere near as good. I know it was just one year but a poor showing for $20+.

This is insanely good. Pure dessert. Hops barely present compared to the 2017 at this point. Not sure how much to attribute to vintage vs. age.

Drank a bottle with a dessert consisting of butterscotch pudding and homemade shortbread. Really brought out the "American" style. Hops were much more prevalent when consumed with sweeter foods. Still amazing every time.

Best just below room temperature.

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.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.

Not bad, very malty for <5%. Would like to try it fresher, but this was barely 2 months old. Rather expensive, though, for what it was.

This one was much more pleasant than the previous bottle. It's a bit older and a different batch, not sure where the difference lies. Not as sweet and has more depth. Good value at this price.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

Just not the part of the spectrum of IPAs I prefer. You can tell it's well-made, but not for me.

SUper malty IIPA. Too malty. Even sweet. Doesn't hide ABV at all. Has a nice bitterness. Hop flavors are more earthy than fruity.

Wow, really good today. Even better than last week. Definitely more juicy fruitiness. Less bitterness, which isn't necessary for me, but this one hit its prime (to my taste buds) after about 3 weeks. Similar to Pipeworks Citra...

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.