Aroma: “Rich malty nose, warm and toasty, with a bit of alcohol backbone and mild hoppiness. Banana fruitiness and a touch of caramel. No hops. Sweet bread with gingersnap cookie highlights. Candied cherry and lots of fruity es- ters—mostly apple, raisin, and pear.”

Flavor: “Toasty and caramel, a little bit oxidized (mostly sherry but some papery notes). Fairly fruity with some stone fruit complexity and nice alcohol warmth in the swallow. Sweet with a balancing bitter foundation. Banana-like esters up front and a long, bitter nish with just enough hops bitterness to avoid being cloying.”

Overall: “A decent English barleywine, but a bit thin-bodied and hoppy for the style. Enjoyed the banana esters, but would like more chewy malt. Could use a bit more caramel malt character and fuller mouthfeel for a more classic English barleywine experience.”