YuleSmith (Winter)
Pours a deep burnt red/rust color, not much head but, curiously, a healthy gathering of lace strings and dots form with each little tilt of the glass. Sherry, glazed donut, red licorice, caramel, herbal tea and tobacco in the nose. Interesting. Similar to the aroma on the tongue. Start to take on a barleywine-ish quality, with tobacco, pine, grapefruit, red licorice, caramel, vanilla and sherry notes all nestling up cozily together. A nice resiny hoppiness lays on the tongue during the long finish, which will please hop lovers and all but disgust non-hopheads. While the hoped-for amount of roundness and heft is present on the tongue, it has a kind of watery character that would be improved with a more present carbonation. I'm usually wanting less carbonation in my beers, but this one leaves me wanting a little more. Not disappointing, however. Somewhere between double IPA, barleywine and American strong ale. I remember liking the summer version much more, but this is pretty special too.