Old Ruffian Barley Wine - Great Divide Brewing Company

AmitC

Indiana

4.64/5  rDev +9.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

This will probably taste much better right now than it probably is. Cause I am in the mood of celebrating. Ticking off one from the top 250 as well. This one a 2009 vintage - Dec 08 2009. At 8.99,i guess it is good. There was a 2011 sitting right next to it, but bought this instead.

Poured from the 22oz bomber into a large snifter. Freezer cooled for 30 minutes. Will pour half of it a bit later.

About one finger thick tan colored creamy head. Color is Brown with huge ruby highlights. Excellent lacing on the sides with each sip and the one left by the head. Surprised to see some bubbles rising up still, after over three years of bottling. There is tan colored layer that stays throughout. A bit dark and more cloudy and hazy. Almost opaque. Suspended hops or some white suspensions seen in the bottom.

Aroma is extremely boozy and malty for this old beer and at 10.2% it is not hiding it well. I will give it points for that. Hops have completely died out, I wasn't expecting either. Maltiness is fairly neutral and dominated more by alcohol. Smelled a lot like a boozy stout or American strong ale. Smelled some hops in the later stages, which is good. I guess i like the smell.

Taste is also full of booze. A good amount of bitterness as is expected. Probably a bit warm which is good as such, but i like it when drinks are colder. Hops are doing well to impart bitterness to the stuff that stays as an aftertaste. A very well constructed sweet bitter finish. Bitterness is what is lovely about this. I must try a fresher version of this. Alcohol is exceptional and in your face.

Mouth feel is more medium to very slightly full. Astringency - No - just a lot of booze. Smells as if it is 15%. Drinks rather well for me. No carbonation seen, but those bubbles might indicate a more stronger carbonation in the fresh ones.

Cold version drinks exceptionally well. I love this stuff.

Ticking off. And good luck to me.

Style rate: 4.5
Personal Rate: 4.5

Serving type: bottle

01-24-2013 23:19:04 | More by AmitC

GMUPatriot_inKansas

Kansas

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

06-18-2013 03:05:38 | More by GMUPatriot_inKansas

ChugginOil

Illinois

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-16-2013 16:28:53 | More by ChugginOil

Drknight

Virginia

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-15-2013 15:37:29 | More by Drknight

Hallertau

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-15-2013 03:20:53 | More by Hallertau

marlinsfan4

Maryland

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-14-2013 00:45:39 | More by marlinsfan4

JSchock7

Kansas

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-12-2013 06:58:50 | More by JSchock7

Poucher86

Maryland

4.75/5  rDev +12.3%

06-12-2013 00:30:07 | More by Poucher86

haknort

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

06-10-2013 21:12:22 | More by haknort

dhbiker0889

Colorado

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-10-2013 20:00:25 | More by dhbiker0889

humulus

Sweden

4.61/5  rDev +9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: reddish, chocolate with a beige head.

S: malt, chocolate, syrup, leather, red berries and dark fruits.

T: very well balanced. Dried fruit, chocolate, pomerans, orange zest, bit of oak, bitterness that is very well balanced against the fruity chocolate sweetness.

M: creamy, smooth, elegant.

O: World class. This is incredibly good. Just a shame I only got one bottle and it's out of stock in Sweden.

Drank from snifter.

Serving type: bottle

06-10-2013 19:23:07 | More by humulus

eduardolinhalis

Switzerland

4.23/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

660ml bottle served in a snifter glass.

A: Pous a deep amber color forming a medium to small thin bubbled and creamy yellow head. Medium to low retention and many small spotty lavings left in the glass

S: Sweet. Strong notes of caramel, caramel malts, brown sugar and flowery hops. Booze

T: Sweet upfront. Strong notes of caramel and caramel malts. The sweet taste switches to bitter quite quickly. Nice bitter hoppy kick, anyway. Great bittersweet balance

M: Heavy, creamy and molasses body. Medium carbonation. Lovely smooth bittersweet aftertaste

O: Great drinkability. Perfect barleywine. World classic

Serving type: bottle

06-09-2013 18:00:17 | More by eduardolinhalis

zbooks

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -17.3%

06-08-2013 18:29:49 | More by zbooks

jreindl

Wisconsin

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-08-2013 13:56:24 | More by jreindl

Lucho

Florida

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-08-2013 07:16:59 | More by Lucho

NeverSettle

Texas

2/5  rDev -52.7%

06-08-2013 00:47:54 | More by NeverSettle

Boga

Mexico

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-07-2013 20:51:16 | More by Boga

imperialking

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

06-07-2013 18:18:46 | More by imperialking

xShoWTeKx

South Carolina

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-07-2013 04:30:28 | More by xShoWTeKx

HoppyLuckyGoGo

California

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-06-2013 18:58:35 | More by HoppyLuckyGoGo

Matthewpakula

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-06-2013 18:39:32 | More by Matthewpakula

CCutch

Minnesota

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-05-2013 23:25:20 | More by CCutch

abex44

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +6.4%

06-05-2013 05:20:42 | More by abex44

sharpski

Oregon

4/5  rDev -5.4%

06-03-2013 17:06:21 | More by sharpski

maxwelldeux

North Carolina

3.75/5  rDev -11.3%

06-03-2013 01:17:07 | More by maxwelldeux