Dark brown body with a decent head if one gives an aggressive pour. Decent head, but not a great deal of retention or lace. That’s all in order for the ABV.

Nose has a weird combination of sweetness and light bourbon character.

Pretty thin in the mouth TBH. This seems like a feature of a number of the 2025, 12 Days Series.

The old ale element definitely comes through here, and that’s a good thing for me. It keeps the bourbon character in check, and I’m happy about that. The middle of the beer gets into a weird, sweet and sour feel, and is pretty light and drinkable., I wouldn’t put this anywhere near 12%, even though the finish is sweet and alcohol based. There is definitely the advertised toffee, and that becomes the dominant factor here as the beer warms.

Interesting in as much as it feel so light and quaffable, and has a real old ale element making the bourbon for me a little pushed back; again a good thing for my palate, wants and tastes.

Honestly, I probably wouldn’t bother again, but I am very happy to have gotten to a version of 12, even if it’s not the original.