Xyauyù Etichetta Rame (Copper) - Birrificio Le Baladin

cfrances33

Illinois

4.13/5  rDev -4.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A few ounce decanting thanks to yamar68, poured into a snifter.

Pour: A dead burgundy with no head, no lacing, no carb. Nice legs, alcohol presence is definitely letting itself be known. Port?

Aroma: Caramel, brown sugar, raisin, fig, vanilla, light booziness. All come together pretty seamlessly. In keeping line with being closer to a sherry or port, the alcohol provides more of a sting on the nostrils than a boozy character.

Taste: Decadent, truly. Brown sugar and chewy raisins up front, followed by boozy fig newtons. Halfway through my pour, the barleywine characters come out, with chewy sticky caramel. Finally, the complexities of a smooth bourbon dance on the last sip, even though barrel aging was not part of this beasts regimen.

Mouthfeel: Light syrup effect, but not cloying. Slightly boozy.

Overall: A very unique experience, and one I relished. I would love to have this, or other Xyauyu's in the future.

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2012 15:21:03 | More by cfrances33

VaTechHopHead

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-19-2013 19:44:42 | More by VaTechHopHead

ehammond1

California

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

05-19-2013 17:13:18 | More by ehammond1

IMSPEAKNOENGLISH

Illinois

4/5  rDev -7.6%

05-19-2013 15:37:21 | More by IMSPEAKNOENGLISH

Bonko_the_sane

North Carolina

5/5  rDev +15.5%

05-15-2013 02:37:12 | More by Bonko_the_sane

Cloaked_Phantom

Georgia

5/5  rDev +15.5%

04-21-2013 16:48:14 | More by Cloaked_Phantom

spycow

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

03-10-2013 23:38:17 | More by spycow

Florida9

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

Dark brown in color. flat. no head. no lacing. Aroma is a mix of nuts, barrel, and caramel. taste is nothing like a barleywine. this is very sweet, almost port or sherry like. Mildly grapy, sweet, raisin, and very sweet molasses. On the thicker side of medium, but I think this is mosttly becuase of the lack of carbonation.
This would make a fine port, but as a beer, its lackluster.

Serving type: bottle

02-17-2013 01:44:46 | More by Florida9

TMoney2591

Illinois

3.65/5  rDev -15.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Served in a shaker pint glass.

2005 vintage. Based on some high praise I've seen this beer garner, I had to give it a try, especially considering I had the disposable income necessary for an investment in a bottle. Let's do this, my first beer in 2013: It pours a brackish amber topped by a half-finger of tan foam. The nose comprises biscuit, honey, light and mild booze, and a vague sense of sweet fruits not unlike a sauternes or sherry. The taste brings in more of the same, with the sweetness really taking hold, and some cardboard-y hints of oxidation poking through every now and again. Things are slightly messy, muddled. The body is a stoic medium, with a very light moderate carbonation and a drying finish. Overall, I can see the allure of this beer to many, but it wasn't entirely my cup of tea. The sweet and oxidative notes are generally pleasant, but when mixed they don't cooperate, nor do they do so with any of the other components. Still, I'm glad to have tried this stuff, and I even hope to try the Silver and Gold editions some time in the future.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2013 01:50:59 | More by TMoney2591

Dope

Massachusetts

4.38/5  rDev +1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

2004 vintage, 13% ABV.

A: Pours a dark, menacing reddish amber. Fairly syrupy. Completely still as this one is uncarbonated. Obviously no head or lacing. I didn't want to mark it down for poor appearance since this is an intentional feature of the beer. Figured a 4 was reasonable.

S: Very sweet. Loaded with caramel and dark fruits. Cherries mainly it seems. Touch of molasses. Kinda smells like sherry sometimes. Not as boozy as I would expect, only slightly. I guess oxidation and aging has mellowed it.

T: Wow, this is very interesting. It is very sweet and syrupy. Up front there is a wonderful caramel and brown sugar combination with dark fruits mixed in. Cherries and grapes mainly it seems. Raisin too. They're sort of indistinct fruit flavors, just heavy sweet dark fruits that meld together to form a singular flavor. No real indication of alcohol at all which is shocking. Aftertaste is long lingering sweet dark fruits (have I said that enough yet?). Mouth-coating effect adds to the long aftertaste. No sign of oxidation really, at least from a cardboard standpoint. A touch like sherry but honestly it only improves the beer (I guess that's the point). Very mellow in general with well integrated flavors.

M: Mouthfeel is syrupy, thick and heavy. Coats the mouth like syrup. Similar to a JW Lees...but with no carbonation. Must be sipped. Like drinking slightly watered down maple syrup. Emphasis on SLIGHTLY watered down. Having said that, it is super smooth, no alcohol bite and not cloying despite the heavy sweetness. Somehow - not sure how they did that. For a flat beer this is outstanding.

O: Well, I'm glad I dropped the coin on this one. No beer, wine or spirit even comes close to be able to compare. It is super thick and sweet but not cloying and in fact is quite wonderful (take note, JW Lees). I can't even describe why it's good. No big west-coast style hops to jump out at you or delicious adjuncts like vanilla beans to add to the flavor. It's just sweet and fruity and it just plain works, that's all I can say. Dessert beer for sure due to the sweetness and lack of carbonation.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2012 04:53:57 | More by Dope

SLeffler27

New York

4.8/5  rDev +10.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Xyauyu' pours syrupy with a dark copper hue and garnet highlights. There is no head whatsoever, and the viscosity leaves long, thick legs on the Arrogant Bastard snifter.

The aroma includes caramel, crème sherry, dates, figs, and honey all up front and center.

The sweetness of this beer is exquisite, with ample dark fruit flavors that follow the nose. Nut flavors come out with some bitterness. Meanwhile sherry and honey maintain a consistent theme. The finish is light and quick. Warmth brings out a progression of the above flavors, each more pronounced than initially encountered. Vanilla and oak are found late.

There is a hint of carbonation in this dense, super smooth, syrupy beer. The alcohol is high and expected, but not hot. Residual sugars are left on one’s lips.

This is undoubtedly a sipping beer. It has the nuances that first turned me on to Barleywine. One can enjoy this equally well while reading, during contemplation, for dessert or as a digestive. This would even work well for a romantic evening.

Serving type: bottle

11-25-2012 21:09:25 | More by SLeffler27

Bouleboubier

Pennsylvania

4.5/5  rDev +3.9%

11-02-2012 03:16:04 | More by Bouleboubier

yamar68

Minnesota

4.2/5  rDev -3%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer was bottled the same year that:
-North Korea banned cell phone use
-Facebook was launched
-A grocery store fire in Paraguay killed over 300 people

2004 vintage, poured into a wine tasting glass:

Pours a bright ruby gold, zero head or any other sign of carbonation. Good amount of alcohol legs.

The nose is extremely rich - heavy toffee and caramel, toasted grains, maple syrup, brown sugar, slight leather, oats, almonds. I'm amazed how well this 'oxidation process' has turned out. Zero wet cardboard/must.

Incredibly rich. Massive sweet caramel qualities - a bit of red fruit, a bit of alcohol heat, loads of maple syrup, taste like a sundae. Not overly sweet though, somehow. Warming, a tad cloying, but still relatively dry. This is beer?

Like nothing I've ever had.

Serving type: bottle

09-27-2012 19:13:55 | More by yamar68

DCon

Missouri

4.75/5  rDev +9.7%

09-12-2012 04:47:59 | More by DCon

bsuedekum

Missouri

3.5/5  rDev -19.2%

09-12-2012 00:53:08 | More by bsuedekum

Etan

Illinois

4.3/5  rDev -0.7%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4.5

2005 bottle, taken down solo.

A: Pours a thinnish woody brown with a bunch of floaties and no head.

S: Thick raisins and booze, lots of grapey vinous notes, prune.

T: Very rich maple, raisins, brown sugar, slight pleasant heat, vanilla.
Becomes more rich and warming as the beer settles.

M: Flat, thick and a tiny bit syrupy.

O: I really enjoy the intense oxidation character of this beer. I can see how it could be a bit sweet for some, but that's the point of the beer. Utterly unique (Utopias probably comes the closest). Can't wait to try the other beers in the series.

Serving type: bottle

08-31-2012 03:05:07 | More by Etan

Hanzo

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -1.8%

08-26-2012 00:47:25 | More by Hanzo

sholland119

Pennsylvania

3.5/5  rDev -19.2%

08-24-2012 14:47:24 | More by sholland119

t0rin0

California

3.5/5  rDev -19.2%

08-23-2012 03:01:36 | More by t0rin0

corby112

Pennsylvania

2.78/5  rDev -35.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 3

2004 vintage.

Pours a dark copper/amber color with burnt orange edges.  Completely still with no head or lacing but it does have nice legs after an aggressive swirl.

Sweet, boozy aroma that's almost all alcohol until t warms up considerably.   Once it does, sweet malt and dark fruit are apparent.  Hints of caramel, toffee and maple syrup followed by raisin, fig plum and more alcohol.

Viscous with no carbonation to speak of and a real syrupy consistency.  Boozy, syrupy flavor dominates with lots and lots of alcohol sweetness but not overly hot.  After it warms the sweet malt and dark fruit notes come to the forefront.  Hints of toffee, caramel and hazelnut followed by plum, raisin and fig.  These notes are still pretty faint with the overbearing alcohol flavor dominating everything.  One dimensional, lacking in carbonation and pretty tough to drink more than a few ounces of.  I was the only one at a recent tasting that finished their pour.

Serving type: bottle

08-05-2012 01:12:56 | More by corby112

drewone

California

3.25/5  rDev -24.9%

07-24-2012 05:07:18 | More by drewone

UCLABrewN84

California

4.28/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5

Bottle pour courtesy of jmgrub at Woodshop 7 held at Beachwood BBQ & Brewing in Long Beach, CA.

Pours a clear orange with no head and no lacing on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, wood, and vanilla. Taste is much the same with a very syrupy sweetness to it. This beer has a low level of carbonation with an almost flat mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with some great flavors and smells but the mouthfeel is a bit lacking in my opinion.

Serving type: bottle

07-24-2012 01:48:10 | More by UCLABrewN84

DefenCorps

Oregon

4.45/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

$9 for a 5 oz glass at Max's today. 2004 vintage

Mildly hazy, this amber-copper colored beer is still with no head or lacing. The nose is rich with toffee, sherry, port, beautifully oxidized with deep dark fruit - raisins, and plums. While not bright, this is vibrant and vivacious. Some butterscotch is noticeable as well.

The palate opens full and sweet with dark fruit, buckwheat honey, raisins, caramelized raisins, dates. Full in body with nice sherry notes on the finish. More oxidized than the Xfume, but this is really distinctive. Great, long lasting finish. Amazing stuff.

Serving type: bottle

07-14-2012 00:06:17 | More by DefenCorps

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.7/5  rDev +8.5%
look: 3 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Poured by the glass from a 2004 bottled version of this beer. At Max's...

The beer pours a slightly cloudy, brownish amber color, with no head retention to speak of. This beer is completely still. On the nose, you know you're in for a treat. I get considerable brown sugar, caramel, light chocolate, fig and rum raisans. There's a hint of nuts and sherry as well in this lightly oxidized beer. If anything, the beer is even better on the palate. Also, while fairly sweet, the oxidation helps to counter that sweetness nicely. Otherwise, this is an increadibly rich and complex beer, with the brown sugar and chocolate taking center stage. This beer is just lip smacking delicious! Mouthfeel is full and very, very long... like drinking the finest XO cognac or aged vintage port. Incredible!

Age has treated this beer very well... an absolute bargian by the glass at Max's; $9 for a 5 ounce pour. I'll probably have to order another.

Serving type: bottle

07-13-2012 19:33:33 | More by johnmichaelsen

Pahn

New York

4.53/5  rDev +4.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

2004 vintage split 3 ways into tulips.

Appearance: No head, no lace, no carbonation. Hazy brownish red.

Smell: Raisin, some nutty aromas, marzipan. Beautiful, alcohol infused pastry and malt aromas, well-integrated.

Taste: Slightly apple-tinged brown sugar and marzipan malt flavors. Very light toffee.

Kind of a smooth, nectar-y barleywine juice. Lack of carbonation doesn't hurt it at all. Surprisingly easy drinking. Mild warmth.

This is difficult to review, because the flavors are so well integrated. It's not really individual notes, but a divine melding of dessert beer maltiness.

Mouthfeel: Light side of medium bodied. Flat, but not difficult to drink at all. Mild heat, almost undetectable.

Overall: Delicious, and just amazingly easy-drinking. At $45~ I would never buy it again, but I love it nonetheless. Great sugary barleywine flavor, almost no oxidation influence after 8 years of storage. Beautiful beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-04-2012 03:12:19 | More by Pahn