I'm reticent to pass judgment without tasting the base beer but considering the discrepancy in ABV and Sketchbook's track record, I'm willing to lay the blame for lack of depth/complexity on the low volume barrel aging process. Not to slander Few at all. Without any standard to chase or blending process to chase this is a hit-or-miss prospect. It's simply not great.

The base scotch ale seems a bit one note, dirty caramel. Lots of char from the barrel. Doesn't approach the offerings from Central Waters, or Founders.

Sad to see this starting to turn sour, not ruined yet but a shade of what it can be.

Smells great, but this is going sour.

This is amazing.

Really sweet, seems well integrated now compared to my previous notes. Exquisite, tiny, soft, foamy bubbles. Looks kind of gross, lots of suspended matter. A different approach to a barrel aged barleywine that my experience with American made examples of the style, and I don't mean the hoppier American style barleywine.

More cask on the nose than the tongue. Really nice, but probably needs some time to age. I liked the non-BA version even better but that was 2001 vintage so not a fair comparison.

Very heavy on the apple from the Teku glass.

Blows me away, every time. The wrong food pairing can wreck this beer, though. First glass was amazing. After a salad with vinegar mustard dressing, all I could taste was the apples and a little cherry tart and cranberry sour.

I'm reticent to pass judgment without tasting the base beer but considering the discrepancy in ABV and Sketchbook's track record, I'm willing to lay the blame for lack of depth/complexity on the low volume barrel aging process. Not to slander Few at all. Without any standard to chase or blending process to chase this is a hit-or-miss prospect. It's simply not great.

The base scotch ale seems a bit one note, dirty caramel. Lots of char from the barrel. Doesn't approach the offerings from Central Waters, or Founders.

Sad to see this starting to turn sour, not ruined yet but a shade of what it can be.

Smells great, but this is going sour.

Now it's really really good. Wish I had waited a little longer to open the first couple of bottles. Then I'd plan to drink them this winter. I guess it could get better, but it's really nice now.

I can drink it with tacos. Certainly not the most optimal pairing but they're both still good even if they have completely separate flavor profiles. It's sweet. That's mostly what I'm getting this time. It's good, doesn't beat you over the head with hops.

Now it tastes good. Alcohol heat is gone, leaving behind raisin, date, fig, sweetness. Incredibly deceiving 15% now, I would guess 11%. However, as pleasant as it is I don't long for a beer that tastes like this. I don't avoid eating food or brushing my teeth afterwards in order to continue enjoying the aftertaste. It's as good as any naked barleywine I've ever had, but can't aspire to the same heights as one aged in spirit barrels.

Still plenty of alcohol heat. Not a dramatic amount of flavor for 15%. I guess I'll give it another year but I'm underwhelmed. Why do I keep trying stuff that isn't Central Waters?

Five years was just a bit past its prime. Great to know. Maybe just this vintage or this bottle, but no reason to sit on this for longer than 4-5 years.

Thick and rich, but definitely improves with a few years under its belt.

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

When fully chilled, coffee is bitter and maple syrup is barely present. Let it warm a little and it all integrates much better.

When fully chilled, coffee is bitter and maple syrup is barely present. Let it warm a little and it all integrates much better.