I have expectations when it comes to Smog City Brewing and barrel-aged beers. They continue to set a high bar and their latest OE barleywine ages in Brandy barrels exceeds expectations.
The brandy just pours out of this. It must have been a super wet barrel. Near dessert levels this. Pours a dead black color. Lots of sugar to me with a growing abv heat from the over 12% barleywine. Getting some cake like notes here. Not that I am aficionado of fruit cake but this is redolent with that fullness. But mostly this is a brandy show and it is great.