2005 Vintage.
Well, essentially this is a Madeira Port posing as beer. When I smelled this and then drank it, I could think of nothing else.
It’s huge in all respects. Alcohol is warming and then burning, the deep and dense liquor smell is absolutely immense, and it drinks like a port. Hugely rich and although not difficult to drink, one is plenty for me in most sitting, settings. A “one-bottle sipper” in my opinion.
Aromas and tastes are dominated by the warming, intensely fruity alcohol.
The pour is pretty ordinary looking, reddish brown with a small head, but the viscosity is not ordinary. Very syrupy obviously as a result of the high ABV.
Huge beer and not by an means an everyday drinking beer.