J.W. Lees Vintage Harvest Ale - J.W. Lees & Co (Brewers) Ltd

saintwarrick

South Carolina

4.33/5  rDev +0.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2007 vintage.
Pour is a light honey brown with a foamy white head that build quickly but gradually disappears as it warms. Aroma is distinctly a British barley wine, somewhat boozy, but very malty with some grapefruit and a touch of bourbon and whiskey giving it a sharp edge. Almost cloying in its sweetness. Taste is surprisingly sweet, honey is very distinct, syrupy; lots of butter rum and brandy with a distinct alcohol warming; a very big brew, but very drinkable for a sipper of this strength. Bitter aftertaste is noticeable at the very end keeping this brew from being too sweet.

A very unique brew not to be missed, though I would like it to be a little less sweet.

2008 vintage
Appearance is same as the 2007 except a billowy white head resembling an IPA is constant throughout. Aroma has a lot more sweetness to it, like bourbon-soaked bread dipped in brown sugar. This version has less bitterness at the end as the sweetness is front, center and all other directions. A sipper to be sure, but the cloying sweetness makes this a little too big. I have a 2001 stashed away and am hoping this brew gets better over time.

Serving type: bottle

06-12-2009 03:58:54 | More by saintwarrick

cp45

New Jersey

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-19-2013 19:12:04 | More by cp45

midlifec

Michigan

4.75/5  rDev +10.7%

05-19-2013 17:46:08 | More by midlifec

ShawnMH

Indiana

3.75/5  rDev -12.6%

05-19-2013 15:36:34 | More by ShawnMH

Photekut

Azerbaijan

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-18-2013 22:03:43 | More by Photekut

raffy313

Texas

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-18-2013 00:05:31 | More by raffy313

gpawned

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-17-2013 05:13:04 | More by gpawned

Tom-Peters

California

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-13-2013 18:53:57 | More by Tom-Peters

Slatetank

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-13-2013 18:43:41 | More by Slatetank

vrbulldog22

Ohio

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-13-2013 02:07:52 | More by vrbulldog22

Bill235

Ohio

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-12-2013 22:35:06 | More by Bill235

ipas-for-life

Virginia

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

05-12-2013 15:56:31 | More by ipas-for-life

nbaeteer

Pennsylvania

4.66/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5

2010 poured into a wide bottom wine glass.

Appearance: Striking, flat light brown color with almost no variation from light. Very little if any head that completely dissapears very quickly.

Smell: Wow. Can they make scented candles that smell like this? Brown sugar, raisin, malt.

Taste: Complex sweetness up front with the alchohol showing up late. The kind of taste so powerfull you want to swirl it in your mouth as long as possible to hold onto it. So complex I might have to drink another one and revise this post.

Mouthfeel: Smooth, smooth, smooth. Perfect weight.

Overall: This feels like a beer I should be sharing with friends to celebrate a special ocassion. Now I understand the JW Lees following and price tag. This is in my personal beer HOF.

Serving type: bottle

05-11-2013 06:11:19 | More by nbaeteer

jjheinrichs

Wisconsin

3.75/5  rDev -12.6%

05-09-2013 02:08:08 | More by jjheinrichs

bigclydeoliver

Ohio

2/5  rDev -53.4%

05-09-2013 01:01:51 | More by bigclydeoliver

mctizzz

New York

3.33/5  rDev -22.4%
look: 3.75 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 2.75 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

2006 Vintage.
This great brew has diminished into a flat sweet syrup with almost no hint of booze. I would like to try it after 2 years but this makes me question whether cellaring a brew for 7 years is even worth it. I have only had 3 beers now that have been cellared for over 5 years and this is the only one I know was far over the hill, live and learn...

Serving type: bottle

05-08-2013 22:12:26 | More by mctizzz

cadaugherty

Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.9%

05-07-2013 23:53:10 | More by cadaugherty

cnbrown313

Illinois

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-07-2013 14:09:00 | More by cnbrown313

prisoner1572

Illinois

2.5/5  rDev -41.7%

05-06-2013 18:00:19 | More by prisoner1572

garfscores

Connecticut

3.5/5  rDev -18.4%

05-05-2013 17:16:01 | More by garfscores

Archemedies

Massachusetts

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-05-2013 13:12:57 | More by Archemedies

lordredsnake

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +16.6%

05-03-2013 23:54:12 | More by lordredsnake

hatfulofhollow

Pennsylvania

4.75/5  rDev +10.7%

05-03-2013 15:03:17 | More by hatfulofhollow

jdobe13

Ohio

4/5  rDev -6.8%

05-01-2013 12:52:14 | More by jdobe13

AOShabaz

Massachusetts

4.25/5  rDev -0.9%

04-28-2013 22:47:32 | More by AOShabaz