Full disclosure, I’ve never had Utopias. My mantra is that I would try anything once, and that’s true, but I’ver never bothered to seek it out in 20+ years, and I won’t do so in the future. If I come across it great, if not, no worries. Back to this beer.

I’m a fan of 120 in as much as I drink about one bottle per 9-12 months. I really enjoy it when I drink it, but that’s as far as it goes.

Deep copper body – and admittedly after an aggressive pour – the head is great. White, high and a little retention. Surprising I could coax this out of a beer with this ABV.

Nose has a lovely, high alcohol solvent and a caramel, whisky-infused sweetness. Tastes reflect all the same attributes. Wow. There’s a LOT of Port in this. Sweet, rounded and caramel-like. There’s a lovely alcohol burn here that is not that far removed from 120, but adds a level of complexity that I would have thought hard to achieve on top of the base beer – but it works! The more it warms, the more this feels like straight up 120 but with a twist!

Mouthfeel has some slickness of course, but it’s never too viscous or cloying.

Alcohol is there, and although you might think it was getting up to the advertised 17%, it somehow never feels too much. Maybe some butterscotch syrup notes too. It’s smooth, and it’s good.

Impressed, and I’m not easily impressed these days, nor do I feel the need to encourage DFH silliness, but this is a lovely experience that works well and does a nice job. I’d buy maybe one more bottle.