Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine is an 11% barley wine from Hyouko Yashiki No Mori, based in Niigata, Japan. It’s part of their winter line up of beers can be found on sale usually from December onwards. It differs from their regular barley wine in that it has been aged in whiskey casks, though it’s unknown which company supplied the casks.
Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine Aroma and Taste
Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine poured out a hazy amber red colour with a surprising amount of fluffy white head. Surely Swan Lake were teasing me? There was a burnt oaky aroma to it, along with a deep caramel and dried fruit tone to it – with raisins, plums, and dates coming through. There was also some hint of Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine but it wasn’t an adjunct – from the barrel perhaps?
As always, I let half of the Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine warm up and the other half at cellar temp – why? It just seems a waste to drink it all in one go. But the flavours didn’t really deviate from each other much. The burnt oak and caramel flavours were pronounced from the start, with some dried fruits again coming through. Even when it had warmed up, Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine didn’t have any harsh alcohol flavours or kick to it.
Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine The Bottom Line
It was quite smooth for a barley wine – not refreshing smooth – but definitely easily drinkable for a barley wine.
Where to Buy Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine
Swan Lake Barrel Aged Barley Wine can be bought online at the following places
