AleSmith Old Numbskull - Barrel Aged - AleSmith Brewing Company

maximum12

Minnesota

4.3/5  rDev -1.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Thanks out over the wifi to ObeMaltKenobee & kyle2k10 for this beer, which I've been unreasonable obsessed with for quite a while. Big 750ML bottle, 2012 vintage, split with my wife after a good Twins win at Target Field with our girls.

Pour is respectably carbonated for its bigness that looks like slightly frothed liquid caramell rolls. The nose is heady bourbon, toffee, & wood. That is a good smell.

Old Numbskull - Barrel Aged thrust the barrel forward & jams it into your solar plexus. Barrel is as subtle as a chin-high fastball; bourbon, vanilla, & drying oak all defining the beer with pizzaz. The base beer contributes caramel, toffee, Samples of earthiness & brown sugar accent a distinct sweetness in the middle, before bleeding back into barrel & a slice of alcohol soaking the end. Pretty quiet in the glass & mouth. Easy to swill. The alcohol presence isn't keeping me from putting my lips on it with frequency.

Alesmith knows their way around a barrel, & this is no exception; I'd be delighted if they stepped up the frequency & volume of their releases. A standard for the fairly rare style of barrel-aged old ale: an excellent beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 03:40:09 | More by maximum12

Dreadnaught33

District of Columbia

4.49/5  rDev +3%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks to Matt (starrdogg) for sharing this beer!

The look is a nice brown core with golden color on the rims,small ring of head almost clear look. The smell is nice, with a mellow oak slightly bourbon vanilla overtone with brown sugar, molasses, leather, and more malt in the nose as well. Actually some small fruit notes and honey too. The taste follow the smell closely, and strikes an incredible balance and palate ability for a beer of this abv barrel aged. Actually, all the guys at the tasting thought that it was remarkable how little bourbon overpowered the taste, for me the barrel actually just pumps up the flavors of the base beer very well: huge oak, brown sugar, savory almost meat like malts, vanilla. Great taste, very balanced feel.

Very nice beer, worth seeking out.

Serving type: bottle

03-16-2013 01:01:23 | More by Dreadnaught33

UCLABrewN84

California

4.24/5  rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

On tap at AleSmith Brewing Company in San Diego, CA.

Pours a murky dark orange-brown with a foamy khaki head that settles to a wisps of film on top of the beer. Small streaks of lace form around the glass on the drink down. Smell is of malt, brown sugar, caramel, toffee, bourbon, and wood. Taste is much the same with a woody flavor and an alcohol kick on the finish. There is a mild amount of hop bitterness on the palate with each sip. This beer has a good level of carbonation with a crisp but medium bodied mouthfeel. Overall, this is a very good beer with a great aroma and some tasty barrel aged flavors.

Serving type: on-tap

01-21-2013 20:09:57 | More by UCLABrewN84

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.98/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

750ml Bottle from 2005 - Thanks to Phyl21ca for sharing this

Appearance - Hazy copper/brown colour with almost no head. Hard to make out the level of carbonation and there is some fair lacing. The head lasted for only seconds.

Smell - Malts, dark fruits, butterscotch/toffee, hint of chocolate

Taste & Mouth - There is a low amount of carbonation and I can taste malts mixed with some toffee/butterscotch. There is also a bit of a dark fruit taste and a woodiness mixed with a touch of chocolate. The booze lingered a bit on the finish but it was still very smooth.

Overall - Perhaps a bit past it's prime, but still a fantastic beer. The smell was amazing and with a little more carbonation this beer would have been even better. Glad I had the chance to try this.

Serving type: bottle

10-04-2012 18:28:27 | More by spinrsx

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle: Poured a deep copper color ale with a light foamy head with minimal retention and minimal lacing. Aroma consists of sweet toffee and caramel notes with light cardboard notes and light bourbon notes. Taste is also dominated by sweet toffee notes with some caramel malt with some bourbon notes though not as much as expected. Light cardboard notes a re revealing that this bottle might be past its prime. Bourbon notes are not as dominant as I would have expected. Body is a little bit thin for style with medium carbonation and no apparent alcohol notes. Fell a bit short of my expectation but good nonetheless. It would be interesting to try a fresher bottle next time.

Serving type: bottle

09-19-2012 18:47:04 | More by Phyl21ca

claspada

New Jersey

4.21/5  rDev -3.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25

2005 Vintage shared with HimerMan and mrand01 @ a recent bottle share.

Pours a murky caramel, deep copper-hued color with zero head; pretty much par for the course though after all these years.

Aromas begin with copious amounts of vanilla and dark caramel, almost dessert-like in sweetness. Then I get some toasty, sugar cookie and toffee. As it warms the barrel imparted aromas are more detectable highlighted by vanilla, brown sugar and light musty oak.

The tastes are quite lucious to say the least beginning with sweet vanilla bean, caramel, and sugar cookies. Toasted wood character emerges mid-palate. As it warms you get some dried dark fruits and some musty slightly oxidized toasty/bready malts.

The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied with zero carbonation (pretty much still like wine). Finish is quite sticky and creamy.

Overall this was super even though I think it is slightly past it's prime. The oxidated notes and low carbonation hurt the overall experience but it's a deal breaker for this style. I would say consume this within 5 years for maximum enjoyment so it is still worth it to seek out the 2007 release but get it soon.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2012 16:49:35 | More by claspada

Huhzubendah

District of Columbia

4.48/5  rDev +2.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by ygtbsm94. Thanks Brad!

The beer is hazy and appears brown to amber in color. The head is off white and thin. The aroma is bold and offers malt, booze, toffee, dark fruits. Very enticing. The flavor really delivers. A delightful beer to sip and savor. Medium to full bodied. Very malt forward and well balanced. A gem - I definitely recommend this beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-25-2012 22:07:31 | More by Huhzubendah

drabmuh

Maryland

4.45/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Thanks Brad, served in a snifter. At the time of the review, this is the #5 beer on the "Top Beers - American Barleywine" list on beeradvocate.com.

Beer is dark amber / brown, hazy with a thin off white head of small bubbles. No lacing, low carbonation, low carbonation.

Beer smells like barrel, oak, wood, malt, raisins, plums. Smells really nice, in my face, strong, aggressive.

Beer is medium in body, creamy with a mildly dry finish. It is strong, fruity and malty. Very strong, nice finish, a very good beer.

Serving type: bottle

06-13-2012 19:45:26 | More by drabmuh

scottfrie

California

3.98/5  rDev -8.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I have to thank the same guy I always thank for beers like this. Thanks Jeffy. 2007 vintage.

A: Pours a clear, deep, dark caramel color with a thin light tan head that faded into a faint collar.
S: Sweet and fruity smelling with hint of leafy hops, tobacco, brown sugar and hint of bourbon.
T: Flavors of raisin, caramel, oak, tobacco, vanilla, bourbon, barrel wood spices, sweet fruit juice and a bit of cocoa. Oak is strong in the finish along with some brown sugar and toast.
M: Full body, slick moutfeel, tingly but low carbonation. Booze is barely noticeable at this point and oh so smooth.
O: A great barley wine and an improvement on the original. Thanks ipa247.

Serving type: bottle

05-19-2012 06:58:30 | More by scottfrie

barleywinefiend

Washington

4/5  rDev -8.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

2006 vintage

A: Poured a murky brownish color with a light sediment presented, a light tannish cap

S: Still has a quantifiable amount of old spent oak spirals, Earthiness, light vanilla and booze

T: Still had some light residual sugar sweetness, with old wood, light vanilla and pinch of raisin remains

M: Medium to big body at this age with lower carbonation, some fading flavors, light booze and stickiness

O: Good but it is peaking IMO or has recently peaked

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2012 15:55:31 | More by barleywinefiend

drowland

Florida

4.58/5  rDev +5%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

6/26/10. Sampled at the Tally Tasting 2010, with HUGE thanks to fata2683. Could have used this as rating 1900, but I did like one brew better, so I’m using it for 1899. Aroma is AWESOME BA. Amazing buttery, vanilla, coconut, holy shit. The flavor will knock you over. Much the same but with wonderful sweet and dark fruits. Love it.

Serving type: bottle

02-05-2012 21:59:35 | More by drowland

FosterJM

California

4.38/5  rDev +0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

767th Review on BA
Bottle to snifter
750Ml Cap/Foil

2006 Vintage

@Woodshop Classix
Thanks to Adam for sharing!

App- A murky mix of browns. It's pretty flat as its poured being an older bottle but with a quick swirl you can build up a nice 1/2” of head. A nice bit of cling and spots as it falls.

Smell- This was a very nice nose on a barrel BW. Big amounts of the oak come through with the malts being very subtle and mostly the vanilla and caramel taking over.

Taste- For a bottle being aged and a BW this was very smooth. Most of the malts and juicyness were gone, instead replaced by the oak notes and a lot of vanilla and caramel sweetness.

Mouth- Medium bodied and a smooth low carb feel. Very creamy finish with a few bubbles and a ton of vanilla.

Drink- This was very damn tasty. I haven't had the Old Numbskull as a base beer yet, so this was quite a treat. Ill have to go pick up a bottle. Great imparted flavors on the beer and aged quite well.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2011 16:28:14 | More by FosterJM

BlackWednesday

New York

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

170/223. Sampled with the MN crew at the Winter gathering. Bottle via trade from cbkschubert. aroma of sweet malt, toffee, huge wood influence, alcohol, vanilla and loads of bourbon spice. Pours thick amber with minimal carbonation or head. Boatloads of vanilla, charred wood and bourbon on the palate. Spice. Sweet charred caramel. Toffee. Creme brulee. Holy thickness! Chewy. Rich thick and oily.

Serving type: bottle

07-18-2011 03:42:26 | More by BlackWednesday

tmoneyba

Ohio

4.5/5  rDev +3.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured hazy reddish-brown hue with a large off-white frothy head that mostly lasted with good lacing. Moderate complex aroma of bourbon, malt and caramel. Medium to heavy body with chewy malt texture and flat carbonation. Flavor is full complex sweet with the same complexity of moderate to long duration. This is one of the best.

Serving type: bottle

07-11-2011 23:17:07 | More by tmoneyba

ChadQuest

Illinois

4.63/5  rDev +6.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

My pants fit tighter the moment i saw this bottle set down at the Alewatcher/Oreo fest. Thanks to Dan for this wild want.

Did i mention this is the 2004 batch.

Anyway, the body was pretty murky with alot of yeast, my pour was at about 1/2 bottle so i wasn't at the dregs zone at all. color was a brown leather color.
The aroma made me work to get the details, im not saying there wasn't alot of aroma, but it was just so packed together and the heat was present but somehow speaking second that it was like hearing 30 people whisper the same thing. Balanced and incorperated like only a well aged barleywine can achieve.
The flavors were the amplifier to these whispers and said without hesitation that toffee and cleanly fermented brown sugar would take the lead and the barrel heat would wait their turn. there was some great butterscotch flavors noticable along with caramel. delicious. who has a bottle to trade.
The mouthfeel was unique in that it was semi-viscious, but seemed soft, like how soft water is to hard water, it seemed...how to say it....puffed, whipped, just made more volumous. Like Silk,Velvet. Most likely from the hazy body i assume.

I would love to get another chance to try this, it was excellent...
I mean, it was horrible, trade me all your bottles for daisy cutter.

Serving type: bottle

07-01-2011 06:58:04 | More by ChadQuest

Sean9689

Illinois

3.93/5  rDev -9.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Bottle brought by me, 2007 Vintage, #117/449. Poured into Darkness snifter.

A - Pours a dark brown/reddish color, cream ring, with random whisps on top.

S - Dark fruits, huge oak/barrel, ever so slight hoppy bitterness, caramel, burnt sugars. Perhaps a little more oak-forward then I prefer but otherwise, pretty good.

T - Dark fruit, caramel, oak/barrel. Smooth booze, nice caramel sweetness, and the oak isn't quite as strong as the nose (that's a good thing).

M - Light to medium (a bit too thin), good carbonation, and creamy sweet finish.

O - I think I actually prefer the regular 2007 over the Barrel-Aged version. Perhaps a bit too much oak for me in this one. I wonder how the other years stack up to 2007? I guess I'll have to try them and see.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2011 18:41:06 | More by Sean9689

womencantsail

California

4.03/5  rDev -7.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

I forgot to write it down, but I believe it was Paul who shared this 2007 bottle. Thanks!

A: The pour is sort of a murky dark amber/copper color with a small khaki head.

S: Moderate amounts of bourbon hit the nose followed by some vanilla and brown sugar. Plenty of caramel and toffee sweetness to go with it. No real hop character left at this point.

T: Surprisingly restrained bourbon from an Alesmith barrel aged beer. Vanilla, brown sugar, toffee, and bread, and yes, some bourbon too. Perhaps a hint of chocolate, and definitely a bit oxidized.

M: Medium to full in body with a moderate carbonation.

O: Not as overwhelming as some of the other Alesmith barrel aged releases, but quite good, and significantly better than the previous times I've had it.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2011 22:26:40 | More by womencantsail

Thorpe429

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev -6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Thanks to Photekut for busting this out at the Jackie O's release. Served in a SAVOR snifter. 2006 vintage -- 48/208.

Pour yields a caramel-colored brew with a thin off-white head. Nose is filled with aromas of sweet bourbon, caramel, and a bit of brown sugar. Mild booze there as well. Flavor is not as integrated as the nose, but the bourbon is nice. Not terribly bourbon-forward, however. Also some caramel, sweet bread, and some brown sugar intermingling. Mouthfeel is medium with low carbonation and a bit of booze in the finish. A very excellent brew that I had wanted to try for some time. Thanks again, JR.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2011 13:32:22 | More by Thorpe429

Jmoore50

Nevada

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle number 175/223. 2005 Vintage. Brought out by jh1982. I wonder why this is in a green bottle? Interesting.

With a very mellow hissing of the cap the beer is released. It pours an incredibly thick oil like viscosity. It is a murky brown with no head. I actually thought this was going to be flat, but it owns good carbonation in the mouthfeel. Super thick alcoholic legs tear down the sides of my glass.

The smell is amazing, just perfection. Strong hints of burnt caramel and brown sugars. Toffee with huge vanilla scents. There is a large barrel character in this one that brings out a nice booze smell. Perfection on the nose.

For being almost six years old, this is beautiful. Nice mellow carbonation makes this feel more like a liquor. Caramel and sweet sugared malts are strong, with barrel adding subtle hints. Vanilla, whiskey, and slight tannic notes are there. The booze is great on this, with it not being overbearing, just right.

A lower carbonation effects the mouthfeel in a more positive way than negative. Real oily on the palate with not much burning, which is something I was expecting. A good beer that we did side by side with the original non barrel aged version.
Bravo

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2011 01:35:16 | More by Jmoore50

DmanGTR

New York

4.95/5  rDev +13.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Thanks to Joe for bringing this to our tasting. This is phenomenal. Review from notes.

2006 Vintage poured a clear ruby/garnet with a long lasting off-white head. Beautiful shades of red glittering in my glass. The world has just been set right. I was expecting a ginormous blast of bourbon and sweetness, but this is mellow and refined. The vanilla, oak, and toffee are deliciously blended and gives way to a touch of figs and even a bit of molasses cookies. The oxidation offers a touch of vinous character. I find nothing to critique. Just let me sit and enjoy this wonder. Carbonation could use a sliiiight reduction, but a gentle swirl is all it took. I wish there was a 4.8 I could give in the mouthfeel category instead of a 4.5. Coats the palate with caramel goodness. This is bewildering. Probably the highlight of the night.

And this is also my 500th review on BA :)

Serving type: bottle

01-27-2011 06:47:59 | More by DmanGTR

corby112

Pennsylvania

4.85/5  rDev +11.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

From notes:

2006 vintage. Huge thanks to BigFish for sending this years ago in one of my first trades.

Pours a very dark, murky chestnut brown color with a one finger off white head that quickly fades into a thin ring. Sporadic splotches of lacing left behind.

Slightly earthy, leathery malt aroma with hints of biscuit, caramel and toffee. This is accompanied by an amazing bourbon barrel character. Plenty of earthy oak with a healthy dose of bourbon/booze and a very prominent vanilla character in the nose.

Medium bodied with the perfect balance of earthy, leathery malt, caramel/toffee, alcohol sweetness, bourbon, oak and vanilla. Slight heat but overall the alcohol is excellently masked with subtle warmth in the finish. The malt profile is earthy/leathery yet sweet with hints of caramel, toffee and hazelnut. There's some slight bitterness that adds balance and an incredible bourbon barrel presence. Earthy oak as well as a huge bourbon and vanilla character. I can't believe that Alesmith was able to create such a delicious bourbon flavor without it tasting like a hot, booze bomb. The ABV is incredibly well masked resulting in a delicious, extremely quaffable beer.

This is the best BA barleywine that I've had to date and I wish I that I had more bottles.

Serving type: bottle

01-17-2011 08:30:36 | More by corby112

glid02

Georgia

4.47/5  rDev +2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Bottle shared by Grant - thanks! Bottle 43/208 from 2006.

Pours a nice honey-brown color with a half-finger cream-colored head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of large amounts of vanilla with heavy caramel malt aromas lingering in the background. Also present are mild amounts of butterscotch and lighter amounts of thick toffee.

Tastes similar to how it smells, although the booze asserts itself a bit more. Sticky yet smooth caramel malt flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by solid amounts of toffee. Midway through the sip the flavor profile lightens just a bit with the addition of smooth butterscotch flavors. Moderate amounts of vanilla make a brief appearance near the end of the sip before fading out into a mildly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a very nice thickness with soft carbonation.

Drinkability is also very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have a few more.

Overall I'd wanted to try this beer for a good while and I'm glad I had the opportunity. Yet another outstanding barrel-aged beer from AleSmith and one that's well worth a shot.

Serving type: bottle

11-18-2010 01:53:20 | More by glid02

nickd717

California

4.45/5  rDev +2.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

750ml bottle via trade, 2007 vintage.

Very nice appearance - deep clear reddish-brown in color with a one-finger light beige head leaving a thick bubbly ring.

The aroma is excellent. Sweet sticky caramel malt, maple syrup, and big woody -bals.

The flavor is great, unapologetic and complex. Somewhat sweet, but not too much so, with caramel, toffee, and maple syrup. Barrel aging is evident with a big woody presence and some sherry-like oxidative notes.

Fairly full-bodied with soft carbonation and slight syrupiness.

Really nice and interesting -bal aged beer. Great to finally tick this one. AleSmith once again does not disappoint.

Serving type: bottle

11-17-2010 18:46:05 | More by nickd717

JAXSON

Pennsylvania

3.68/5  rDev -15.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

From 2009 notes.

2006 bottle, big thanks to Dennis. Pours a hazy medium chestnut with a thin soapy head. Big, malty nose. Oranges, bourbon, and lighter chocolate tones. Flavor is nice...the malt is not overdone and is fully balanced by a smoky, somewhat bitter element. I love that smoky finish in Alesmith beers. Berries and some lighter fruits really shine in this. Bourbon is pretty well integrated and not overdone. A little too much bitter heat, almost peppery, coming through.

Update: sampled this in a spring, 2010 tasting alongside Perfect Storm. This came across as boozy and muddled. Downgrading the rating a bit.

Cheers,

Chad

Serving type: bottle

11-09-2010 04:13:45 | More by JAXSON

CrellMoset

Virginia

4.15/5  rDev -4.8%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Bottle # 53/449, 2007 vintage, courtesy of a very generous PA trader a few years back. I've been sitting on this one for a while, hoping to have it alongside the regular Old Numbskull (which I'd yet to try before a few minutes ago). Excited to track this one, it's poured in to a brandy snifter and enjoyed with some aged Edam.

Appearance: Pours a hazed, dirty sepia, far more bole than copper amber like the un-bal Old Numbskull. Streams of loose, free carbonation race upwards towards the head, itself a lightly tanned one-finger high, erratic, uneven, sort of what you'd expect from a barrel aged beer. An aggressive pour yields a half finger of dull tan head that fades remarkably quickly, though again perhaps about what one would expect from a -bal beer, and the remnants provide little surface dusting, a thin, half-crescent collar, and little to no lacing on the sides of the glass. It's about what I expected, I suppose, though it's not terribly inspiring.

Aroma: Dark toasty malts and sweet barrel sugars represent a nice, well-blended complexity that's sort of lower on the nose and less complex than the regular Old Numbskull but somehow manages to surpass it in terms of enjoyability if not complexity. This one's straightforward, showcasing a nice amount of barrel notes - vanilla, coconut, hints of raisins - and some nice bourbon that's definitely mellowed and subdued itself in the years its been sitting around in various and sundry cellars (mine and the BAs its come from before me). Faint astringent and tobacco-y hops round this one out, full-bodied and robust.

Taste: Sort of dull, compared to the non-bal version. Sipping them side by side, the -bal version is a little hollower, subtler perhaps, with a toastier mouth and less hop presence. The malts are dryer - toast, dark toffee, well-attenuated caramel, and very dark brown sugar compliment a few darker barrel notes (mostly coconut, slight vanilla, and dark barrel sugars), but none of that varied toffee, varied caramel, wholesome breadyness, etc. The hops are well-aged, just as they are in the non-bal version, slightly leafy, mildly astringent, like tobacco and leather intermingling with dark malts, well-blended alcohol, and dark fruity esters. There's a definite bourbon presence here, but it's blended in well with the toasty elements of the base beer here, with the fruit and base beer sugars sort of sinking in to the background ... though the spice does emerge slightly after letting this one warm to near room temperature. The fruit esters also lack a little bit here, with slight raisin and cherry overtones busting through the bourbon without much else coming to the surface. Just not as multidimensional as the non-bal version.

Mouthfeel: A little lighter, more carbonated, brighter than the non-bal version. I imagine that's probably because this one's been thinned a little by the spirit addition and the aging, though. After a little while it becomes more manageable in terms of lift, though it still has plenty of the attributes of the non-bal version.

Drinkability: I liked this one a little bit less than the non-bal version, truth be told. It just lacked a lot of the complexity and had a lot more unwanted spiciness and aggressiveness. Maybe this one would hold its own against the aforementioned when they were both aged differently (the aged Old Numbskull I had was an '07, as well), but nonetheless ... this one's simply lacking in a few places, with the bourbon (or the aging) covering up a few of the really nice notes that I got out of the non-bal version. Don't get me wrong - the -bal version is splendid, with the vanilla and coconut overtones amplifying some wonderful elements of this brew ... but it definitely leaves a few of the highlights untouched.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2010 23:42:49 | More by CrellMoset