Aroma: “Not as aromatic as most in the style with hints of treacle and brown sugar plus some light oral hops. Medium malt notes amd some dried stone fruit (plums and cherries). Light-to-medium alcohol. Well-blended oak and vanilla. Sweet and malty.”

Flavor: “Malt sweetness is substantial but hiding behind the hops bitterness. Medium wood expression contributes in a supportive way, but not a lot of whis- key avor from the barrel. Strawberry and vanilla up front along with some light stone fruit, especially apricot and peach. Tannins from the barrel dominate late in the palate. Some woody and boozy notes with a bit of vanillin.”

Overall: “Well crafted with a good base beer and front of palate. The straw- berry notes are very nice, but the hops bitterness detracts somewhat from the smooth malt.”