Samuel Smith's Winter Welcome Ale
Sampled the 2006-07 version. Sampled & reveiwed on 1/19/07: Ap: Hard pour raises two fingers of rocky head. Good carbonation. Copper color sparkles in the light. Ar: Sweet malt prevalent. Some raisins, dates & plums. No hop profile noted. Buttered caramel toast. Ta: Sweet malt dominates the flavor as in the aroma. Caramel, toasty flavor. Biscuity. Slight bitterness in the finish nicely balances the sweetness. A bit sweet towards the end of the bottle. Mo: Medium bodied. Very clean on the palette. No real lingering aftertaste. Carbonation leaves mouth tingling. Dr: Easy drinking. Smooth & clean. No overbearing flavors to detract its drinkability. Comments: Very tasty Winter Warmer. Not overdone with spices as in most WW. Almost an Old Ale but not as high ABV as most Old Ales. Good flavor & well balanced. Again, a bit sweet after a full bottle, but a smaller portion would be perfect.