Cocoa powder. Held up better than the Scotch Ale, little bourbon left. Doesn't benefit from aging, though.

Yes.

Tried this next to the (very fresh) 2016 and there's no comparison. The 2015 is so mellow and rich and deep. Should be interesting to compare after another year.

Yes. So much flavor. Doesn't have the rick, thick, bite of a RIS but so good. Lots of barrel character. Vanilla in the aroma, chocolate in the flavor. No need to buy Uncle Jacob's Stout anymore.

Held up remarkably well, much better than the 2016 I opened the same night. Rich malty depth and retains more barrel than bourbon. Still, it showed its age, not a beer that needs cellaring. Sad to see CW let this one go.

I like it chilled a bit, now, but not 44 degrees or anything. As good as it gets for me.

The best.

This is just my favorite beer. So rich and sweet, but not alcohol sweet. Smooth and delicious.

Bourbon had faded significantly after 9 months. It's still there but more in the background. It's smoother overall but I really liked the big bourbon presence.

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.

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.

Last bottle. Last night in Wisconsin. It can't get much better than this. Will probably never have it again.

Now this is more like it! So much more well integrated after a year in the bottle. I can taste the base beer and it's great, and the barrel adds so much. It softens the corners of the aggressive stout underneath without losing the bite. This is what I was expecting, one of the best I've ever tasted.

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.

It's good. Maple is coming through now. Bourbon, not so much. Very smooth.

This was exceptional. Every bit the equal of ROSJ. Vanilla toffee with some toasted, even burned edges. And absolutely drinkable! I could have finished two of these bottles, ABV notwithstanding. Can't pick a favorite without a side-by-side but this is right up there. Wish it weren't so expensive.