AleSmith Wee Heavy - Barrel Aged
25.4 oz. bottle, 2006 Barrel-Aged Vintage, #224/254, procured in the April 1st, 2008 release, drunk 4/4/08 A: Pours a dark brown, with a small white head, good retention, and great thick lacing. S: Maple syrup, cognac, vanilla, Madeira wine, peat smoke. T: Definitely a peaty maltiness, huge brown sugar notes, hint of Islay whisky and vanilla. Good amount of lactic acidity, probably from the barrel aging, also has a really good long lasting aftertaste you get from a good whisky, really tasty stuff. M: Very smooth, has a softness in its character making it very easy to drink, nice prickly carbonation. D: I definitely think the Barrel Aging has improved the Wee Heavy from Alesmith, which was already a great beer. It gave it more complexity and in the end made it much more interesting, I'll definitely buy another bottle or 2 at the next release, a beer that certainly grows on you as you drink it.